The Types Of Perms.

I ended up with relatively wavy/curly hair that I wear long as a way of keeping it under control.  I have never had a perm but my mother who was born with fine, thin, hair got a permanent twice a year like clockwork.  I only thought there was one type of perm because my mother got the same one but since I did the research on the difference between relaxers and perms, I discovered there are quite a few different types of perms.

So let's start with the spiral perm. This perm is best for hair that is shoulder length or longer. In general, the hair is rolled vertically so that when it is done, you end up with tight, twisty, bouncy curls.  They add a nice amount of body to your hair and last about six months before they start loosening.

Next is the body wave perm which adds volume and the waves look more natural.  The hair is rolled on larger rollers so the waves look larger and looser and more relaxed. This is a good choice for people with really straight hair that doesn't curl well.  It usually lasts between three and five months before having to be redone. 

Then you have the beach wave perm.  It creates waves that make you look like you just came back from the beach. It allows you to have a nice casual look without a lot of effort.  To get this look, the hair is rolled on springy spongey, rollers and the look lasts about four months. 

Don't forget the digital perm which is one of the hottest things coming out of Japan recently.  This method uses infra-red heat transmitted thorough temperature controlled rods to create loose waves and volume at the top of tight ringlets.  In this process, they also use gentle chemicals to recondition and repair the hair at the same time.

If you have shorter hair, think about a pin curl perm. This process uses both curlers and pins to create a bunch of tight, bouncy curls that have movement. The tightness or looseness of the curls will depend on the size of the curlers used.  In addition, the chemicals used in this perm tend to be gentler but the perm doesn't last as long, only about three to six months.

There is also the spot or partial perm is only applied to specific parts the head rather than to the whole head. This perm can be used to cover thin spots, add volume to certain areas, or even out the whole look so it is more uniform.  When done properly, the new curls will blend with the older ones so it looks great.

On the other hand, you might check out the stack perm which is also a partial perm but it is applied to the middle and ends of the hair rather than the roots. It is used to add volume and give the illusion of having layers. They use different sized rods and curlers to accomplish this easy to care for look. It tends to last between four and five months.

Next is the root perm which is where the perm is only done on the two to four inch area closest to the hair roots.  It adds lift and volume and is great if you have already permed hair that has grown out some.  Using the root perm on the new growth decreases the chances of damage to the already permed areas. They are easy to take care of  but only last about a month, so you have to have them regularly touched up.

Now, if you want something that has different sized curls, you might think about the multi-textured perm.  This perm is produced by using different sized rollers and curlers, so you end up with a combination of tight and loose curls resulting in a very natural look.  It is best on folks with medium length or longer hair and it tends to last a few months.

There is also the volumizing perm which uses a combination of loose curls and waves to create volume in the hair and is great for all types of hair.  It is accomplished by using a variety of different sized rods and then the rods are taken out when the neutralizing liquid is applied so the curls form loosely. These tend to be among the least expensive types of perm but they also don't last that long.

Finally, is the straightening perm which was mentioned last time. In this, the solution is applied and no rods or curlers are used. A flat iron is applied to the hair to make it straight. This process can take between six and eight hours so it takes a long time but it lasts between six and seven months at a time. 

So now you know about the different types of perms so you know which one is better for your circumstances.  I would recommend having it done by a professional and you can discuss with them which would be best.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.