How to Use Timers for Hair Permanents

Make sure when you give home hair permanents that you are timing them correctly. Letting hair permanent solutions stay on too long can damage the hair and the scalp. On the other hand, if you don't leave the hair permanents on long enough, you won't get a good permanent. Simply watching the clock is a little risky because it's easy to get distracted while waiting.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read the directions on the package when you are doing home hair permanents. The directions tell you how long you need to leave on the solution. Most of the home hair permanent brands will say to leave the solution on for 10 to 20 minutes.

2. Use a count-down timer or digital timer that makes a sound when the time is up. Set the timer to 10 minutes to start. Sit in a well-ventilated area while waiting with the timer nearby.

3. Check your home hair permanents after 10 minutes. This is important if you are doing a home hair permanent for the first time or if you are using a brand of hair permanent that you've never used before. Unroll one of the rollers and see how the curl is looking. Then you'll know whether to leave the solution on for the full amount of time set on your timer or not.

4. Reset the timer for another 5 minutes if you don't see an "S" curl. Continue to wait and then recheck the curl.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't leave the perm solution on longer than the recommended time on the packaging.