30 Up-to-Date Types of Perms You Will Want to Sport
If you haven’t thought of getting permanent curls since the 80s, you might be surprised to learn how many types of perms are currently out there. But we are going to bridge the gap and show you what stunning looks you can own with modern perm techniques.
What Is a Perm and How Is a Perm Done?
Contrary to common belief, permanent hairstyles cover not only methods aimed at creating curls and waves but also a straight perm used to straighten natural ringlets with the help of a chemical solution and a flat iron.
In permanent waving, similar solutions break disulfide bonds within hair following which a curl pattern is shaped one way or another and then a neutralizing agent is applied to restructure the bonds. The solution type and the use of heat distinguish hot vs. cold perms while the size and placement of rods or rollers define the volume and curl pattern.
What Are the Different Types of Perms?
Modern perms are extremely diverse, highly customizable, and focused on creating waves that flow naturally. So, what types of perms are there nowadays? Scroll through our collection of pictures to better understand the techniques and outcomes.
1. Fuller Look with Spiral Perm. Spiral types of perms use rods of a smaller diameter applied vertically to deliver rather tight ringlets which make the hair seem fuller.
2. Texturizing Body Wave Perm. Body perm is a gentle way to invoke texture in straight hair or give structure to inconsistent waves with the help of larger rods and milder solutions.
3. Effortless Beach Wave Perm. Unlike different kinds of perms utilizing solid perm rods to better shape a curl pattern, these loose and messy waves are done with longer soft rollers, often leaving the ends out.
4. Technology-Packed Digital Perm. This is a modern type of perms that relies on infrared heat boosting the effect of a chemical solution to cope with coarse and resistant textures while reducing damage.
5. High-Temperature Spa Setting Perm. Similar to the previous method, heat is coupled with a bonds-breaking lotion, but the temperatures are higher and, thus, applied only to the mid-shaft and ends to shape bouncy waves.
6. Lift-Enhancing Root Perm. If your tresses are limp and tend to lie flat on the crown, you can get rods installed two to four inches away from the scalp to arrive at a better lift at the roots.
7. Perfectly Imperfect Multi-Textured Perm. This type differs in applicable perm rod sizes and curl results since it aims to produce non-uniform waves that will feel absolutely natural and unintentional.
8. Bob-Friendly Stack Perm. Here is one of the perm styles that can elevate your bob by placing rods of different diameters across the mids and ends of your hair to create a layered appearance.
9. Volumizing Perm for Loose and Bouncy Curls. This treatment focuses more on volume than a distinctive curl pattern and applies a neutralizer after the removal of rods for a relaxed yet bouncy feel.
10. Double-Rod Piggyback Perm. If you have medium to long hair, you can opt for this intricate method that requires two rods for each hair section, curling the strand in opposite directions.
11. Airy Jelly Perm. Korean celebrities enriched our hair trends with different perm styles, and these loose and messy S-waves running from the very top of the head are no exception.
12. Lived-In Helicopter Perm. This technique allows you to get random waves of various shapes by installing perm rods on top of each other, which looks similar to a helicopter rotor.
13. Mermaid-Style Loose Perm. Loose curl perms work great on short to long hair, whether straight or moderately wavy, and is perfectly suited for gaining texture and movement.
14. Tight Curl Perms for Volume. The traditional type of perms results in a head full of well-defined corkscrew locks which radiate dimension, bounce, and texture.
15. Light Perm for Delicate Waves. By playing with different solutions, types of rods, and their placement, you can achieve various perm levels, including soft beachy waves like these.
16. C Curl Perm for a Fresh Blowout. While classic types of perm are designed to scatter curls throughout a whole mane, this treatment implies straightening the majority of hair except for the ends where C-shaped locks sit to mimic a fresh blowout.
17. Rods-Free Braided Perm. In fact, some perm techniques don’t involve any rods and rollers at all but use braiding instead to shape the wave pattern and lend a natural, bed-head style.
18. Large Curl Perms with Oomph. Although perms are often associated with wispy waves or rather small spirals, big and springy curls are also completely doable with the right size of rods at hand.
19. Mesmerizing Long Hair Perms. From old-school spirals to trendy beach waves to the newest C-shaped locks, there are numerous types of perms for long hair you can choose from.
20. Versatile Medium Hair Perms. Types of perms for medium hair are no less diverse and range from tight ringlets to loose waves, but if you want to retain most of your length, it makes sense to ask for a more relaxed pattern.
21. Bouncy Short Hair Perms. While types of perms for short hair are somewhat limited by the minimum length required for rods’ installation, certain techniques, such as the partial perm, are best suited exactly for customizing crops.
22. Fun Shoulder-Length Hair Perms. You are free to play with many types of perms for shoulder-length hair, but make sure to match them with your hair texture for a manageable style.
23. Fulness-Adding Types of Perms for Thin Hair. All types of perms can maximize volume in fine tresses, and you have an option of a targeted transformation with the root perm.
24. Hot and Happening Korean Types of Perms. Nowadays, you can see many curl types of perms coming from Korean celebs, including cold perms like the jelly type, and thermal treatments like the setting perm.
25. Flattering Types of Perms for Naturally Curly Hair. Perms can be of great help for curly girls wishing to make their ringlets more uniform, deepen the curl pattern, or cover thin spots.
26. 60s-Inspired Hippie Perm. This is actually a wispier and frizzier version of the jelly perm, which also usually requires curling bangs to channel totally authentic bohemian vibes.
27. Volume-Boosting Grace Perm. This is yet another one of the Korean types of perms for women with long hair wishing to volumize their locks and rock natural-looking S waves.
28. Rejuvenating Perms for Older Women. Age-related changes often lead to thinning hair, while perms have the power to give it fullness and make the whole look more dynamic and younger.
29. Correctional Partial Perm for Various Zones. Also often called spot perm, this version helps to create your desired texture and volume in specific areas rather than throughout the head.
30. Subtle Perms to Revamp the Look. With modern perm types, it is easy to get your hair slightly adjusted, for example, by adding subtle waves to the top section of your long pixie.
Common Questions About Hair Perms
Time for the Q&A section:
What kind of perm should I get?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and you need to take into account your hair texture, length, and condition along with your preferred curl pattern and maintenance level.
How long does a perm last?
Different perms have different life spans, but in the best-case scenario, you can rock your curls for up to half a year.
How much does a perm cost?
It depends on your hair length and texture as well as on the chosen perm method. On average, the prices start at $30-150 plus a 20 percent tip.
Can you perm colored hair?
Yes, but bleached and highlighted locks are more likely to suffer from chemical damage or change their color during the perm treatment.
Do you have to dye hair before or after a perm?
A safer choice is to dye the hair after a perm, but you’d better wait for 2-3 weeks before coloring and do speak with your stylist before the treatment.
What perm type lasts the longest?
According to a common perm chart, spiral perms are most long-lasting among cold perms, although Korean hot perms claim to last six months or even longer.
Are perms bad for your hair?
Chemical processing always comes with some degree of harm done to the hair structure, yet permanent waving is less adverse than bleaching, and possible damage can be reduced to a minimum with proper preparation and after-care.
Which perm is less damaging?
Hot perms that use acid-balanced solutions based on glyceryl monothioglycolate are the gentlest options.
What are the post-perm care tips?
To restore the health of your locks, you need to condition, nourish, and hydrate them with products designed for chemically treated hair while avoiding harsh agents like parabens and alcohol.
We’ve got different types of perms explained, and now it’s your turn to take the plunge. Use our pictures as a reference for your stylist, and don’t forget to share your fresh hairstyle with us!
