Hair perm 
| Getting your hair permed involves use of chemicals to break and reform
the disulfide bonds of the hair. The hair is washed and wrapped on a perm rod
and waving lotion is applied with a base. This solution creates a chemical
action that softens the inner structure of the hair. It reacts with the keratin
of the cortex, breaking some of the disulfide cross-links within and between
the protein chains.
The hair swells and softens and stretches. The hair then molds around the shape of the perm rod. After a specified period of time, the hair is rinsed and a neutraliser is applied. It is the neutralizing solution that reforms the disulfide bonds of the hair and sets the new curls. Hair perms can be done with acid or alkaline hair perming solutions. Alkaline wave hair perm works best for resistant hair and Asian hair and hair with low elasticity. This time of perm is also used for normal healthy hair. Acid wave hair perms are milder than the alkaline ones and are ideal for fragile, damaged or colored hair. |
The spiral perm is done with vertical perm rods and is usually done on longer
hair. Spiral perm hairstyles look like twisted corkscrews. The spiral perm
technique allows for good penetration through long hair that is 6" and
more. Different hair perm rods will help you get a different look. The spiral
perm was a rage in the 80s. The trend nowadays is more towards natural curls
that fall gently down your shoulders.
But there are some women who prefer the springy curls of a spiral perm. Discuss
the style with your hairstylist before the perm procedure. The perm hairstyle
must be chosen to suit your face shape. If you have a long face, the perm must
be worked to ensure volume on the side but never on the top. Some women try out
spiral curls with curling irons at home. For this, you need to be equipped with
spiral curlers or rods and hair perm lotions.
The choice of perm rod depends on the kind of perm that is sought. Straight or
cylindrical perm rods are popularly used for wrapping hair that has to be wave
permed. A smaller perm rod ensures a tighter hair perm. You can achieve a body
wave look with a larger perm rod. Using very large perm rods however can create
weak curls.
