Everyone loves beautiful curls, which is why so many people go to beauty salons and ask for perms. But if you aren’t prepared to maintain the style and care for your post-perm hair, perming may not be right for you. If you’re thinking of getting a perm, check out the information below so you’ll know how to keep your curls intact.

What to Consider Before Going to the Salon

Whether you’d like a subtle wave or a tight pin curl, assess your hair for damage and coloring. To keep your hair healthy, it needs some downtime between salon treatments. Looser curls call for hot perms, which create natural-looking curls on women with thick manes. The stylist will apply a chemical relaxer to soften your hair and then form loose waves with heated rods and rollers. The whole process takes between three and four hours, depending on your hair’s thickness and length.

Tighter curls require cold perms, which usually take between two and three hours to set. After soaking your hair with an alkaline compound, the stylist will wind your hair on rollers into ringlets. Cold perms require more everyday styling than hot perms. Talk to your hairstylist to decide which perming method would work best for you.

What to Do for Post-Perm Care

The cardinal rule of post-perm care is to wait 48 hours before letting your hair get wet and 48 to 72 hours before shampooing. Water weighs hair down and will pull the curl out prematurely. Also, do not brush or use heated styling tools for 48 hours. Instead, use only a wide-tooth comb or pick for untangling. Avoid hot tubs and swimming pools for 7 days. The chemicals in the water will affect the chemical structure of your permed hair. When it’s time to wash your hair, always use conditioner to allay dryness and frizz.

If you’re looking to get a perm in the La Crosse County, WI area, look no further than 151 Hair Company. Their team of highly trained hairstylists offers every styling service, from hair coloring and perms to scalp therapy and cuts. They will help you achieve the look of your dreams with high-quality services at an affordable cost. To book an appointment with a hairstylist today, give them a call at (608) 783-6191, or check out their website to learn more about their salon services.