Perm Facts - Hair By Harry Logan

How long does a perm take to do? 1-2 hours, depending on how long your hair is. Spiral perms can be very labor intensive to wrap and may take longer (depending upon the experience of your stylist).

How long is it before a perm "settles in"? A perm usually takes 24 hours to settle. (The chemical processes that take place during a perm re-structures the bonds within the hair.)

How long does a perm last? Most perms generally last about 2 to 4 months depending upon the length of your hair and the type of perm used.

Pictures: You should bring pictures of styles you like to your stylist. Pictures of the styles you are interested in will help your stylist determine the correct amount of curl, the proper professional product, the size of rods to use, and the placement of those rods.

Communication: A sit down consultation beforehand is a must. A stylist that communicates well with you will give you better results than one that assumes what you want. Items that should be discussed include what style you wish to achieve, what medications you are taking (which could affect the perm’s chemical action upon your hair), and your lifestyle (how much or how little you want to do to maintain your style).

What size rods should be used? The tightness of the curl depends on the size of the rod. Keep in mind that the smaller the rod, the tighter the curl.

Can a perm be used to decrease the amount of curl I currently have? In certain scenarios, a perm can be used to moderate the amount of curl you currently have. Certain ethnic groups, whose genetics give them a very tight curl, refer to the chemical process often used to straighten their hair as a "perm" but, in reality, they are speaking of a relaxer; which is a completely different (and stronger) chemical and process. A professional licensed stylist can determine the correct process for your hair.

Preping your hair: You can prep your hair. To prepare your hair for a perm, you'll want to discuss perming with your stylist and follow the recommendations given to you. Each person is unique and has her or his own set of circumstances which can affect the outcome.

Taking care of your perm: Any chemical process done to your hair needs follow-up care to extend the style's life.

• You should not wash your hair after a perm for at least 24 hours (the "settling in" period).
• You should not use a high alkaline shampoo on freshly permed hair (it can loosen the perm and/or ruin it).
• You should use a moisturing shampoo on processed hair. The secret is to moisturize the shaft and ends of the hair (the roots usually are ok).
• Conditioners: Used sparingly, spray conditioners tend to be more light-weight and don't weigh the hair down.
  

Question
I have extremely fine thin hair with NO body. I would like to know if there is a perm available that would give my hair body & volume without a lot of curl. My hair really processes quickly on a perm and I end up with curly frizzy hair. I hear that there is a “root” perm available now that will provide results without the frizz. HELP!!!!

Harry's Answer
Fine, thin hair does need an experienced stylist to achieve the results you seek. Perms have gotten better than the “old stinky perm days”. My favorite perms are called ISO. They are very gentle and are more “controllable”. The hair can be “texturized” i.e. permed on large rollers for texture and body rather than curl.

Some salons/stylists really dislike doing perms because they have to know the product, test the condition of your hair, and watch it throughout the perm process. A master stylist will give you a thorough consultation and check your perm during its processing. If you don’t get that type of consultation from your stylist, run - and look elsewhere - or come see me.

PRICING (includes styling):

Perms: $87 and up - depends upon hair length & wrapping techniques used. (Style wraps such as SPIRAL, PIGGYBACK, STACKED, etc... are labor and time intensive and thereby priced accordingly. Harry can quote these after seeing your hair and discussing your needs.)