Tired of straight hair? Well, if you are craving for curly locks, you might want to try spiral perms. With hairstyles suiting all ages, spiral perms are here to stay. The beauty and the mystery of spiraling curls have set many hearts spinning.
Perms (permanent waves) is artificial processed curly hair, involving breaking and re-bonding the hair. It is best suited for hair which has not been highlighted or colored. This is because, perming and coloring the hair, both require a considerable amount of chemicals, perming colored hair will only affect the hair texture making it frizzy.
Spiral perms are used to give a bouncy and a voluminous effect to your hair. For this particular type of perming, a long and a slender rod is rolled in a vertical manner against your head. The result of the locks after perming depends on the thickness of the rod used.
Material Needed for Perming the Hair
~ Shampoo and Conditioner- Shampoo is not a part of the perming process, but well-shampooed and conditioned hair helps the perm solution to sink in and give a better result.
~ Perming Kit (Solutions)- The perm solution helps in breaking the outermost layer of your hair, giving the hair its original shape. The neutralizing solution is used to prevent the hair cuticles from further damage caused by the chemicals.
~ Spiral Perm Rods- As the name suggests, different sized rods are used, depending on the length of the hair.
~ Tail Comb and Hair Clips- Combs are used for sectioning the hair and clipping each section with the clips.
~ Towels, Drip Guards and Hair Cap- These are the accessories used to reduce the chances of the perming process from getting messy.
Procedure for Perming the Hair
Before you being the process, you need to check whether your hair is healthy enough for perming. For this, you need a vessel with some water. Dip your hair in it, if the strands float, your hair is perfectly healthy; if they sink, then it is a sign of damaged hair. Damaged hair have weak cuticles, and hence, will either not hold the perm or will over-process it. Proceed only after you or your stylist is confident that your hair is fit for perming.
Step 1
First, begin by parting the hair in four sections. The first parting should begin in the middle. Make another parting which can be about halfway down towards the back of the head. Use hair clips to secure this section.
Step 2
Now, you need to begin from the back of your head; you might need someone’s help for this. Take one section for the wrapping (available in the kit). Comb it and use the wrapping paper to cover the ends of the hair. This process should be done for all the four sections.
Step 3
Now, begin with the wrapped section of the hair by wrapping it around the rod. You can roll the section and secure it with a band. The same process should be repeated for the other sections.
Step 4
After you have wrapped the hair sections around the rods, apply the perming solution. Always refer to the instructions given in the kit. Ensure that the solution is applied to the hair evenly, and time yourself as per the duration given in the kit.
Step 5
Once done, rinse your hair very gently. Use a towel to absorb the excess moisture, and apply some neutralizing solution. The excess moisture needs to be removed so that the solution spreads well in your strands. Wait for 5 minutes and then rinse the hair with cold water.
Step 6
Remove the rods, and if needed, rinse the hair again. Avoid using a shampoo immediately after the process.
Just for the record, most stylists suggest, that in order to get the perfect spiral perms, your hair needs to be at least 6 to 7 inches long. You can use various accessories to tie the hair from getting in your way or leave it open. Women with short and medium hair also pull off this hairstyle well. If you have bangs, you can straighten them and leave the rest of the curls open to get the schoolgirl look. Even if the length of your hair is short, medium or long, perming all the hair strands with a little bit of styling products will help you achieve that diva look you always wanted.
Aftercare
~ Once the perming process is over, wait for at least 24 hours before you wash your hair. Give it a day or two for the perm to set.
~ Use products meant for chemically treated hair. Shampoos and conditioners for processed hair are available, which do not loosen up the curls.
~ Avoid combing your hair in a vigorous manner. Use a wide-toothed comb, as treated hair is more susceptible to breakage and hair fall.
Often, these dramatic curls are left open to give an illusion of volume to your hair. Suited for all face cuts, spiral perms can go with all events, be it formal or casual parties.
