Advice to consider before committing to a perm

Good evening Hair Doctor,

I have wanted a perm for a year now, but I have been too scared to get one. Why? Because I keep getting told that if you don’t go to a very good hairdresser, it may end in a shamble. I really need your advice on where I could go for a guaranteed fabulous perm. I am a student in Leicester and I just don’t know where to begin. Please help. Thank you!

Kelly Tziouveli, Windsor

Hi Kelly,

It is true; if you get a bad perm then you will end up in a mess and as the name suggests, it is permanent, so you will have to wait for it to grow out! If you are desperate for curls, then go see a technician that is confident in perming and has had years of experience.

Nowadays, with the decline of perming in the salon, hairdressers are not being trained in this vital, but dying, art form. So I am trying to say, the more senior the technician/stylist, the more comfortable they should be with perming.

If you want a perm for body and bounce and the look of the moment, which is glamorous waves and movement, then I would refrain from perming and use heated rollers or tongs to create that look.

Think carefully about this one as it is a big commitment!

John Clark, Brooks+Brooks

Hi Kelly,

You are right to be cautious; any treatment like a perm should be thought through carefully before you spend the money. As with everything in hairdressing, it is all down to the person doing the treatment.

Look for a salon doing the new Digital Perm – it’s a new way of perming hair that is proving popular because you can get different wave and curl styles and it’s far more reliable than the old style of perm. The Digital Perm uses heat to help set the curl so it will last well and new solutions mean that the hair should not be left dry. You can find more information on this new perm at www.digitalperm.co.uk and there is a contact form to find a local hairdresser.

Make sure you describe the look you want and it’s even helpful if you take in pictures to show the hairdresser. Remember with your new curls, you’ll need to change your shampoo and conditioner to a curl-specific range. I always recommend Fresh Curls by Redken.

Currently you could have the Digital Perm done at Eleven Hair in London. This is the first salon to do the treatment and the team are very experienced. I’m sure you’ll love the results!

Christian B Toth, Eleven Hair

Hiya Kelly,

It is absolutely true that any chemical process, including perming, can end in disaster if not performed by a good hairdresser in a reputable salon.

Don't be tempted to go somewhere that seems cheap; a badly done perm – or even worse, wrecked hair – will cost an awful lot to put right! Save up, and then visit a few different well-known salons for a thorough consultation, and select the salon that seemed the most knowledgeable and experienced.

Perms are not suitable for everyone; if the salon doesn't recommend a perm for you for any reason, take heed of their advice.

Nick Malenko, Royston Blythe

Hi Kelly,

You have been told right! If you are looking to have a perm, it is essential to seek somewhere of a high calibre.

Do some research on the internet to find the best hairdressers in your area, and if you can’t afford to book in at their prices, enquire if they are ever seeking trainee models. Even as a model, you will be supervised by experienced technicians, therefore coming out with a professional perm but at a cut of the price.

Claire Atkinson, HOB

Hi there Kelly,

First and foremost, perms as well as colouring are a chemical process, which physically change the structure of the hair. Therefore pre-care and aftercare play a massive part in maintaining your curls.

For a frizz-free result, hair needs to be in top condition, with no high-lift or bleach colouring on the hair to start with (as this will result in damaged, unruly hair).

Choose a reputable hair salon in your area and also ask if they need models for training as this could bring the cost down considerably.

Modern perm products are much kinder and gentler to the hair now. Make sure, however, that you’re advised properly by your hairdresser who should give you instructions on how to maintain and look after your new curls.

Crombie, Browns