A permanent wave, also known as a perm, is a chemical hair treatment that can be used to add curl and body to your hair, or straighten your hair. Every perm has two parts, the physical wrapping of the hair into shapes and a chemical bath that breaks and then reforms the disulfide bonds of your hair. Perms have come a long way since the 80s when I sported the very fakey, crimped perm. These days perms can be fine-tuned to give you exactly the kind of wave you want.

Care while Perming your Hairs

Considering all the decisions above select the perm product you need from your pharmacy, supermarket or hair stylist.

Read and understand the directions.

Comb hair and get all the knots out.

How to Perm your Hairs

Apply the perm solution beginning at the scalp as that gives it longer to work in that area.

Carefully massage the perm solution into all your hair.

Keep the solution at the correct temperature.

Leave the perm solution in for the amount of time needed for your desired effect.

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

Apply a professional neutralizer. The neutralizing solution begins the process of re-forming the broken proteins in your hair.

Tips and Warnings while Perming Hairs

After your perm use specially designed hair care products like conditioners designed for permed hair.

Products known as rejuvenators are used to keep your perm in good shape. These products will also add shine and body to your hair. Consider the use of a mixture of these products.

As perm grows, spray a volumizing product to the roots and blow dry at the scalp to create added lift.

Have your hair trimmed every 5 weeks or so to remove split ends and unwanted growth out of your curls.

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

A bad perm or a perm that does not "take" can be difficult to remove.

Too much perming or a perm done incorrectly can seriously damage your hair leaving it brittle and harsh. Always consult a professional hair stylist if this happens to you.

Perms work best on hair that has not been colored. The chemicals are too harsh for double-processed or heavily highlighted hair.

Perming takes One to two hours, depending on how long your hair is and how fast your stylist is.

A sit down consultation beforehand is a must. So many stylists will whisk you off to wet your hair without sitting down face-to-face for a good talk. Tell your stylist not only what you want (show the pictures) but what you don't want.