Do you ever wish to wake up with hair that makes you look like a supermodel? Now you do not have to limit this to a dream, you can actually have hair that is bouncy, soft, curly, and frizz-free, right from the moment you awake. What you need is “hair perming.” This is a kind of hair treatment that helps set the curl in your hair naturally. The treatment lasts for quite a long time. You can get the best hair perming in Cardiff.

Right now, curls are the latest trend in fashion. Everyone wants curls, but there are some things to consider. First, the hair texture matters, and then the body of the hair must be normal. A normal hair body means hair that is flat or pin straight. Therefore, before hurrying up to get perms in your hair, here are some things to keep in mind.

Perming Explained

In simple terms, hair perming is a process where the hairstylist applies chemicals to treat the hair and modify the natural structure of the hair to make it curly or wavy. Permed hair can last for as much as 6 months. There are two forms of perms, Traditional and Thio Free.

However, there are some things to keep in mind before opting for hair perming. It can have negative effects on:

• Highlighted hair
• Dry hair
• Short layers

There is the usual perming, and then there is the “Cold Perm” and “Digital perm.”

Hairdressers use a cold solution on the hair to make amazing curly locks. First, they use a neutralizer to prepare the hair for perming. The solution soaks the hair and then the hairdressers use the small to medium rods to make the hair have defined curls.

Professional hairdressers with sufficient experience check the structure of your hair and evaluate how it will respond to the chemicals they use. For example, they have to soak it in an alkaline solution that contains ammonium thioglycolate. This breaks the disulphide bonds in the hair and alters the protein structure of the hair. Thereby making it easier to make tightly wound, smaller curls in the hair, and using ringlets in rollers.

Cold perms are generally less damaging than hot perms are. Besides, they are more affordable than digital or hot perms. The time this process takes is usually between 2 and 2.5 hours.

In the end, the hairdressers apply a neutralizer solution to restore the pH of the hair and help the hair rebond.

Usually, this form of hair perming lasts for six months. In most cases, they prove to be just as harmful as colouring the hair is. However, a perm cannot wash out, nor can it chemically reverse. You have to wait for the perm to grow out in its own time. They will grow into natural looking waves over time.

This form of perming makes the waves of the hair more prominent in dry hair. In wet hair, the waves become a bit loose and look just amazing. You can create the curly and dry look as you want, using the hot curler or curl iron. Digital perming reconditions your hair thermally, using chemicals. It is similar to the process of making the straight perm.
Professional hairdressers in Cardiff would treat the hair to relax it, as the first step in hot perming or digital perming. To do this they use an acidic solution and they use hot curling rods to form loose curls by breaking down the disulphide in the hair structure.
Digital perms last for up to six months or even a year. However, not everyone can have them. You have to be committed to having them because this process requires a lot of time and financial commitment. Besides, digital perms are ideal for people with straight and thin hair.
The process requires at least 3-4 hours or even longer depending on the thickness and length of your hair.

Pin Curl Perms

Pin curl perms are an ideal form of perming for short hairstyles. It creates a bouncy look and adds volume to the hair.

S Curl Perm

S Curl Perm is ideal for people of African descent. It creates loose natural looking, prominent waves in the hair.

Root Perm

Another alternative is the root perming, in which one only 2-4 inches of hair close to the scalp is permed. This gives a look of greater volume in the hair, rather than a flat appearance.

Pros of Perming Hair

• Permed hair look better than the natural hair in most cases
• Perming helps boost the volume of the hair making it look voluminous
• No need to style the hair regularly
• No need to use ironing rod daily
• Saves time and you can be ready for your day without delay

Cons of Perming Hair

• You cannot wash your hair after perming. You have to wait for at least 1-2 days before you can wet the hair. Otherwise, you will loosen the curls, making the process a waste
• The hair may become dry and frizzy
• The chemical in perming usually damages the outer layer of the hair, causing it to become frizzy and dry.
• You have to make minor adjustments in your lifestyle to look after your hair after getting the perms.
• Changing your hairstyles will not be easy
• Perming can weaken the hair because it reforms the S-S protein bonds in the hair
• There is a high chance of hair breakage and less moisture in the hair

How to Maintain Permed Hair

Before professional hairdressers in Cardiff start the process of hair perming, they have to prepare for the damage. This requires applying a deep-conditioner. Usually, this would mean starting the process weeks and days before the perming process. After your hair perming, you have to use a conditioner on the hair on a daily basis. You may also have to apply a weekly treatment to restore the moisture levels. This is highly recommended for those who opt for hot perm.