When it comes to women, I know that two things are the most difficult;
- Deciding what to eat or wear
- Deciding how to style your hair
A lot of times, styling may get quickly get boring because you have tried virtually every style that you can think of. The straight styles often seem boring while the curly ones are always too difficult to maintain. Many women often wonder what a suitable balance may be.
Whatever style you decide for your hair, the outcome often depends on the structure of one’s hair. In this article, I am going to talk about one way of restructuring your hair- Perming.
I will give practical tips on the proper ways of perming your hair. The article will also succinctly describe the process of perming and also provide tips for perming one’s hair.
WHAT ARE PERMS?
Perms are chemical substances that are applied to hair. They serve the purpose of restructuring the bonds in the human hair, thereby changing the hair structure. It is important to know your kind of hair and confirm whether it is suitable for perms. Also, allergies should be considered before the decision about perms is made.
Perms allow users to either add or permanently remove curls. Therefore, if you have made a choice between straight or curly hair then you may consider this option. However, if you still want to float in-between then perming isn’t for you.
Each strand of hair has inner bonds that cause the different shapes of forms that the hair takes. The chemicals are used to break the bonds that exist in each strand. This subsequently leads to the permanent straightening or curling of the hair with the use of hot rods and rollers.
TYPES OF PERMS
Although there are various perm styles, there are 2 basic methods for achieving these various styles.
- Hot perm: With this method, you can achieve that natural look and get curls of different lengths. It is advisable for those with thick hair (the kind that is characteristic of East Asian women). The process entails the initial processing of the hair with a relaxing treatment before it is reshaped with hot curling rods. This method is relatively more expensive but it is known to reduce the damage caused to the hair.
- Cold Perm: I recently heard a woman who referred to this method as the “traditional method of perming”. The process begins with the soaking of your hair in an alkaline solution. Subsequently, the hair is wound into tight ringlets and it works with all types of hair.
Before making the decision to use any of these (or any other) methods, you need to consult a hair stylist. This is important because various people have different names for perms.
Perming typically takes between 2-6 hours depending on certain factors. The thickness of one’s hair and the perming method employed are 2 critical factors. However, it is important to wait for at least 2 days (48 hours) before washing off the chemical. The result may not be totally pleasing if the perm is washed off before then.
After 48 hours, the results become permanent (that is what perm stands for). However, it is important to use a conditioner after perming your hair, as long as you do not wet your hair.
PERMING TIPS
- Make sure that your hair is in good condition before deciding to perm. Unhealthy hair may not properly hold a perm.
- The process of perming often has its effects on your hair as it affects the level of protein that is present in it. Therefore, your hair needs all the nourishment that will help to restore and strengthen hair bonds.
- Deep conditioning is a must after you get a perm (especially If you opted to make your hair curly).
- You cannot use the same products before and after your perm. After you perm, you need to find out the right products that will keep your hair healthy and well-moisturized.
- Ensure that you wash your hair less after perming. Instead, it is advisable to condition instead of washing your hair.
- After perming your hair, you need to ensure that you use the right types of accessories. It is also important to avoid hot styling tools as they may have adverse effects on your hair.
- Lastly. Regular trims are necessary after perming your hair. This help to chop the damage off and keep your hair healthy. It is best to trim your hair every 5-7 weeks.
ROUNDING UP …
It is important that you take care of your hair both before and after the process of perming. Perming is a long term decision that requires your commitment to take the necessary steps consistently. You would see the best results only if you take the necessary steps to take care of your hair.