Fashion
Are Perm Wavesmaking a comeback?
Gary Callan
Is permanent waving makinga come back. I believe it is. We see a lot more clients askingfor body waves or soft perms. They want a slight change and alittle curl can help.
Let me start by definingthe difference between a Perm and a Body Wave.
A Perm is the chemical restructuringof the hair into a curl, be it tight or soft, creating new look.
A Body Wave is the formingof the hair into a wave that will enhance the current style andgive movement and lift. In other words body.
This means that a perm willchange the look of your hair (sometimes called re-texturing) cangive you a new, more flexible look. Perms can range from tight,tight curls, to loose undefined curls. We use many techniquesfrom regular rods, spiral rods, bendable rods, rags, and pliablewraps.
Perming is incredibly versatile,and can create a wide variety of looks.
A body wave is designedto give your current style a little help. It can be to changethe direction of your hair or to simply allow you to avoid usingthe curling iron. We can, with just a few rods take away thatannoying cow-lick, or awkward crown. To some extent a body wavecan be used to tame a wayward curl, or redirect an unruly wave.
The only difference in techniquebetween a perm and a body wave is the method of placing and thesize of the rods. Both can use the same perm solution. I alwaystell clients that there are three things that determine the outcomeof a perm (or body wave). The size of the rod, the amount of hairwrapped around each rod, and the strength of the solution. Everythingelse is pretty much the same.
If you are having troubleachieving your desired look, perhaps a body wave will help. Ifyou are fed up with the same straight look you may want to optfor a perm. The solutions we use now a days are a far cry fromthe "Toni Perms" of your mothers' era. They are a lotmore gentle and often contain a conditioning ingredient.
Unfortunately, we may beable to put a man in space but we have not come up with a permsolution that doesn't smell bad.
Until next week
Gary