What Is a Permanent Body Wave?

A permanent body wave is like an old-fashioned perm, but the process results in looser waves that help add body to your hair, instead of the tighter curls traditionally associated with perms.

Basics

The permanent body wave process uses a special lotion and perm rods to create the loose curl. It is permanent, so the wave will remain in the hair until it grows out. New hair growing from the root will grow out in its natural state.

Lotion

An essential part of a permanent body wave is the lotion that is used along with the curling rods. This lotion alters the hair chemistry to allow a change from straight hair to wavy hair.

How Body Waving Works

The lotion breaks the disulphide bonds that hold hair in its natural state. It uses chemicals such as ammonium thioglycolate and hydrogen peroxide to reform the hair into the wave. The looseness of the wave is determined by the size of the rods the hair is wrapped around.

References

• Elmhurst College: Permanent Hair Wave
• Doris Moller Hairstyling: How to Get a Good Permanent Wave