How to Perm Hair

Give up the daily curling iron routine and save time with a permanent solution.

A permanent wave, also known as a perm, is a chemical hair treatment that can straighten or add curl to your hair. Every perm has two parts: the physical wrapping of the hair and the chemical process that breaks, then reforms, the bonds of your hair. A perm is harsh on your hair, so it is important to know your hair type and the condition of your hair. Resistant hair types such as virgin hair, gray hair, Asian hair, hard-to-perm fine hair, and coarse hair are usually best treated with an alkaline perm. Use a gentler acid perm for previously permed or straightened hair and hair that has been colored or bleached.

Things You'll Need

• Perm solution
• Rat-tail comb
• Wide-tooth comb
• Pick
• Petroleum jelly
• Towels
• Squirt bottle
• Clips
• Cotton or toilet paper
• Rolling papers
• Perm rods

Instructions

1. Comb hair until tangle-free.

2. Shampoo hair gently but not vigorously. Carefully blot hair dry.

3. Gently comb again with a wide-tooth comb, working tangles out.

4. Section the top front of hair with a rat-tail comb, combing forward toward your face. Start at the top, and pick up a small section of hair about the width of the rod you're using. Fold a rolling paper around the end of the section of hair, and roll the section toward your face on a rod, fastening the rod securely when it's firm against your scalp.

5. Return to the top of your head, and begin rolling sections of hair away from your face until you've created a full row of rows down the center of your head.

6. Choose a side, and begin at the top along your hairline, rolling the hair downward. Roll the remaining hair on this side in the same manner, creating two rows of rods on the side of your head. The majority of the rods should be rolled horizontally, but any stray hairs can be rolled vertically.

7. Repeat on the other side of your head.

8. Protect the skin around your neck, face and scalp with petroleum jelly. Don't forget your ears.

9. Tuck cotton or toilet paper all around the hairline and over the ears to further protect your face from the permanent solution. Keep a towel handy just in case the solution runs toward your eyes.

10. If hair is treated, use spray bottle to re-wet your hair.

11. Mix the perm solution in a squirt bottle according to package directions, and saturate each rod with the solution.

12. Cover your head with the bag that came with the perm kit. Twist the excess at your hairline to tighten the bag, and fasten with a clip. Wrap a towel over the bag.

13. Set a timer for the minimum amount of time recommended on the permanent box. After the timer goes off, unroll one of the rods about half way. Move rod toward the scalp to check the curl. If the hair is holding a curl, you are ready to rinse. If not, check again in in 10 minutes. The tightness of the curl depends on the size of the rod.

14. Rinse the perm solution out of your hair completely. It is vital to get rid of all of the solution.

15. Apply the entire bottle of neutralizer. The neutralizing solution begins the process of re-forming the broken proteins in your hair. Leave in 10 minutes.

16. Take rods out gently. Massage the neutralizer through your hair. Leave in another five minutes and rinse.

17. Carefully towel dry or blot your hair. Gently shake out your curls. Do not wash, blow dry or style hair for 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• After your perm, use haircare products specially designed for permed hair.

• Have your hair trimmed every five weeks or so to remove split ends.

• It is far better to let your hair dry naturally after a perm, but if you must use a hair dryer, use one with a diffuser to avoid further damage.

• If your scalp starts to burn while perm is activating, immediately wash out.

• Perming hair too often can seriously damage your hair.

References

• Exploratorium Magazine: Better Hair Through Chemistry