Although doing a perm at home can seem intimidating, it is possible to achieve gorgeous, long-lasting curls without visiting a salon if you have the correct equipment, supplies, and guidance. With the addition of texture, volume, and definition, perms are a fantastic way to give your hair the perfect waves or curls that are easier to style and maintain.
It’s imperative to gather all necessary materials before you begin. Having the right tools on hand will ensure the process goes smoothly, from perm rods to the appropriate chemicals. Knowing your hair type is also crucial because it influences the products and techniques you choose.
We’ll take you step-by-step through the entire home perm process in this guide, starting with prepping your hair and ending with rolling it on the rods, applying the solution, and setting the curl. You can change your hair at home if you have the right attitude and a little perseverance.
- How to do a perm at home
- Methods of placing products
- Horizontally
- Vertical
- Circle
- Combined method
- Photos before and after
- Choosing a composition
- Tools and preparations
- Curlers, hairpins
- Applicator or foam sponges
- Fixer
- Chemical preparation
- Shampoo
- Two bowls for preparations
- A warming cap or cap
- Protective gloves
- Special paper
- A comb
- Crab hairpins
- Tourniquet
- Special bandage
- Towel
- Procedure stages
- Preparatory stage
- Perm
- Safety precautions
How to do a perm at home
For many, “chemistry” is associated with small, tight curls, completely spoiled by a harmful composition, and therefore hard, like a washcloth. You also need to shed the misconceptions surrounding the procedure because such a perm was performed during the Soviet era, and those days are long gone.
Many different effects can be achieved with modern styling, ranging from large curls and natural waves to African curls and vertical curls.
In addition, even though it damages hair, it does so much less so than the "chemistry" preparations our grandmothers used.
The main goal of the process is to produce wavy hair. Straight hair is an oval and curly hair is a circle when seen in cross-section. It is possible to alter the structure of hair shafts by using persistent chemical compounds.
Please be advised that creating a professional-quality curl at home is difficult, particularly for those with long curls. Your hair must be correctly curled with curlers, treated with a fixative and preparation, and the rollers removed as soon as the designated amount of time has passed. It’s crucial to avoid wearing the composition on your head for an extended period of time as this will lessen its damaging effects.
Methods of placing products
Several kinds of curlers can be used to create a long-lasting style. The length of your hair, the curl pattern, and the final look of your hairstyle should all be taken into consideration when making your selection. All of this dictates how the curling products are positioned:
Horizontally
The curls are more elastic the smaller the papillotes, or curlers. Utilizing the technology at home is fairly simple to learn;
Vertical
Ideal for hair that is long. Spiral rollers are typically used as curlers in this situation. From the roots to the tips, curling happens. A perm is a variation where the strand is wound onto a curler after first being twisted into a bundle;
Circle
Ideal for those with medium-length hair styled in a cascade and bobs. adds volume and makes the curls appear natural;
Combined method
Method combined: in this case, the horizontal and vertical approaches are integrated.
Additionally, bear in mind the following characteristics:
- You can curl only the ends or the root zone. The first method is good for girls with a triangular face shape, short haircuts. Styling at the roots is done to correct regrown curls or create volume.
- Pigtail curling allows you to get natural waves on medium and long strands. With this type of chemical. perms hair up to the middle is braided, and the ends are twisted on curlers.
- Curls of different sizes are the result of using the "locomotive" method, in which several curlers are curled on one strand.
- Corrugated curling is optimal not for the entire head of hair, but for individual parts of the hair.
Curls can be performed in two ways:
- First apply the composition, and then curl the curlers.
- First fix the curls, and then treat them with the product.
The second option is better for at-home use because you run a significant risk to the health of the already-treated curls if you do not have enough time to curl them quickly.
Give it some serious thought before selecting a home procedure. Its benefit is immediately apparent: it is less expensive than salon services. However, there are a lot of drawbacks as well. What errors can be committed when getting a permanent makeup job done?
- Irritation of the scalp. If you apply too much of the product, it can run off, causing an unwanted reaction.
- Obtaining weak, inexpressive curls after perming. There are several reasons:
- low concentration of the composition;
- the product is expired;
- the curls are curled too tightly;
- the hair is divided into excessively thick strands, the ends are not saturated;
- too little composition was applied;
- the diameter of the curlers was chosen incorrectly.
- Hair breakage occurs when:
- the composition is kept on for too long;
- the product used is too strong a concentration;
- the fixation is poorly done;
- the strands are curled very tightly.
- The hair has changed color. Usually, this effect occurs with any chemical hair perm, because the neutralizer lightens the strands by 1–1.5 tones. But if the contrast is striking, the following mistakes may have been made:
- the curls were poorly washed before neutralization;
- the fixative with a concentration exceeding 3% was used, the wrong holding time was chosen;
- metal products were used, which entered into a chemical reaction with the composition.
Take note! It is not possible that the stomach is empty and the room was cold during the perm. Low blood pressure may also have an adverse effect on the outcome.
Photos before and after
If you have the right equipment and pay close attention to the instructions, getting a permanent makeup look at home is not as difficult as it might seem. Basic tools like curling rods, neutralizer, and perm solution are required, as well as some perseverance. Your hair must be prepped, the perm solution applied, your hair rolled onto the rods, and the timing instructions must be strictly followed. You don’t need to go to a salon to get long-lasting curls with a little practice.
Choosing a composition
Carefully consider the type of hair when selecting a product that will curl straight hair into adorable curls. In this case, you cannot rely on the opinions of friends or the price of the compositions. Since each product softens the hair structure differently from the inside, using the wrong one can quickly destroy the hair shafts. Selecting the appropriate product is half the battle won.
These kinds of compositions exist:
- Acidic. Relatively gently affect the curls, create a soft wave, close to natural. But the effect lasts 3-4 months, and such products cannot be used on obedient, thin strands. The compositions are optimal for curling hard, thick, heavy and recently dyed hair.
- Alkaline. This type of permanent aggressively affects curls, opens the hair scales, making the hair porous. After that, they can be easily shaped. To avoid getting a washcloth instead of elastic curls, you need to correctly calculate the percentage of the chemically active substance. Alkali is suitable for soft, normal and oily strands, but is not recommended for thick and heavy ones.
- Neutral. Have a gentle effect on hair. Thanks to allantoin, they make curls lively, natural, shiny. Such compositions are suitable for any hair, including weakened hair. The curling effect is noticeable within 2-6 months, which is due to the individual characteristics of the hair.
Take note! Other long-term styling options include Japanese, silk, and amino acid. However, this is a more delicate bio-curl with nutrient-rich ingredients rather than "chemistry."
Cosmetic product manufacturers frequently place specific markings on the packaging of their products, indicating a chemical preparation to owners, to help buyers choose which composition to purchase more easily:
- porous;
- normal;
- hard;
- or dyed hair.
You’ll need a fixative to prolong the curls’ "life" in addition to the composition used to create them. When it is concentrated, the marking "1 + 1" will appear. This indicates that water needs to be added to dilute the liquid. Ratio: 1:1. If there isn’t a mark, the fixative is fully ready for use and isn’t concentrated.
Fixing the outcomes of a home permanent makeup typically comes in two forms:
- foamy – before use, the product is well foamed and the curls are treated;
- non-foamy – they are applied to each curl from the spout of the bottle.
You can prepare a fixative on your own using hydroperite tablets or hydrogen peroxide. However, purchasing a prefabricated product ensures that the measurements of every part will be followed. The primary guideline for selection is that the product ought to belong to the same category as the chemical composition.
One of the "light perm" options is carving, which has a one to two month duration of effect. The process is advised for medium-length, soft hair.
Tools and preparations
Everything you will require for the procedure must be ready in advance. Then you won’t have to run around looking for this or that tool when it matters most. Time will be saved and organization improved during the challenging process of curling hair with careful planning.
Curlers, hairpins
Products made of plastic are most frequently used for permanent hair. They don’t absorb the solution, are lightweight, and are simple to attach. Curlers, which produce elastic vertical curls, are one of the preferred solutions. Papillotki, flexible boomerangs that create gentle curls, are another tool that works well for the process.
The size of the curls increases with the curlers’ diameter. Conical products create a gorgeous style by making curls appear voluminous at the roots and smaller at the ends.
Suggestions. Needles or curling plates are a handy addition to the traditional curler shapes. The elastic band holding the curled curl in place is tucked beneath them. This keeps creases from forming.
For those who enjoy unique solutions, producers create these strange curler models:
- hairpins or U-shaped — for stylish “broken” curls. They look like a stick bent in half, the ends of which are slightly twisted outward. Strands are wound on them in a “figure eight”;
- Olivia Garden — to give the hairstyle additional volume, forming natural curls. These curlers are attached without clamps, like a constructor, so the curls are obtained without creases;
- wide spools with clamp-clamps. Suitable for girls with hair of any length;
- for curling waves in a retro style — look like wave-shaped plates. Such curlers are used in tandem with curlers.
An average of 50 to 80 curlers are needed for one perm, depending on the length, thickness, and desired result.
Applicator or foam sponges
Utilized to apply and disperse the fixing agent and chemical composition throughout the hair.
Fixer
Aids in correcting the curling outcome. after the curl has set, applied to curlers. Best if bought in conjunction with the chemical composition.
Chemical preparation
The foundation of the process, the caliber of which dictates the outcome in the future. You can buy a composition from Londawave, Estel, WELLA, or another cosmetic company for use at home. The fact that it complements the type and structure of hair is what matters most.
Shampoo
Required for hair washing prior to "chemistry." Certain manufacturers recommend using specific shampoos prior to the procedure.
These products not only remove pollutants from the hair but also soften it, increasing its pliability and rebuilding the structure of the hair shafts. They are generally not inexpensive, so if money is tight, use regular shampoo.
Two bowls for preparations
Put the fixative (if you need to whip up foam) in one and the chemical composition in the other. The dishes should ideally be made of porcelain, glass, or plastic. Each bowl holds roughly 200 milliliters.
A warming cap or cap
After all of the hair has been curled using curlers and moistened with the composition, place on the head. produces a heat-related effect. primarily utilized for acid curling. An alternative would be a terry towel.
Protective gloves
Assist in keeping chemicals off your hands’ sensitive skin. Even if the sensitivity and allergic reaction tests are negative, they are still required. Gloves can be made of rubber or polyethylene.
Special paper
Shields the hair’s ends from harm. helps to make curling easier. For baking, regular parchment paper works just as well as professional papers.
A comb
Prior to perming, you can use a massage brush to comb through your hair. A comb with a tail will be another tool required for the procedure. It is practical to use it to separate hair into sections and remove fine strands.
Crab hairpins
They are useful for holding individual curling strands during the process. If big curlers aren’t included with the products, they can also fix them.
Take note! The only rule regarding tools is that they can’t be made of metal. This holds true for utensils, hairpins, combs, and curlers. Metal will cause the curl to lose quality.
Tourniquet
That will shield the eyes from the composition. Cotton tourniquets are typically available on sale. For similar uses, a rolled-up towel or a piece of cotton fabric with cotton wool wrapped around it work well.
It’s critical that the apparatus consistently collects the liquid dripping from the hair. A tourniquet is fastened in front by hooking it with a crab to the curlers at the back of the head and tying it in a knot at the back.
Special bandage
Shields the hairline’s chemical composition from the scalp. prior to the tourniquet, applied to the skin.
Towel
Absorbs extra moisture from your hair after washing it.
A hair conditioner, table vinegar (for washing), rich cream or petroleum jelly, a peignoir (a waterproof cape to protect clothing), a unique neck cup where the leftover liquid will drain, a timer, and a measuring cup are other items you might find helpful.
Procedure stages
Preparatory stage
Use the compositions to test for allergic reactions before going straight to the chemical perm at home. This will shield you from any unpleasant surprises that might arise during the process. First, give the scalp a close inspection. Perform the following actions if it is free of cuts, wounds, or abrasions:
- apply 1-2 drops of the composition to a piece of cotton wool or a cosmetic disc;
- lubricate the area behind the ear;
- leave for 10-15 minutes.
In the event that the skin has not become red, itch, swollen, or burned during this time, the chosen product may be used for "chemistry." If the face exhibits any symptoms of an allergy, remove the makeup using water and hydrogen peroxide (make a 3% solution). Give up on the process or get a different product. Do an identical test on it.
Testing the hair’s response to the composition is the next step.
- separate a small section of hair on the back of the head;
- apply the chemical preparation;
- check after 2-3 minutes: if the hairs break, the concentration of the composition is too high for you. Dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:1/2, repeat the test, choosing another strand.
The test results in the hair becoming brittle and coated in a gray substance. Long-term styling is not advised in this situation.
Take note! If even dry hair breaks from tension, "chemistry" is not something you can do to bleached hair. You can also add a tiny strand to the composition as a test sample. Treatment, not a perm, is required for hair that has begun to break after 10 minutes of losing its strength.
Wash your hair once you’ve passed the tests. The skin’s sebaceous deposits will keep it from overdrying, so avoid massaging it. Tar or laundry soap can be used in place of shampoo. One of their constituents, alkali, causes the hair’s outer layer to become loose and vulnerable to the solution. Using a towel to slightly dry the hair, comb through it with a comb that has rare teeth.
A "perm" looks stunning on cascading hair. But keep in mind that a perm will also "take" a few centimeters of length when cutting the strands shorter.
Perm
How to perm prepared hair correctly:
- Divide the head into zones: the back of the head, sides, crown.
- Having chosen one section, remove the rest of the hair with crab clips.
- Curl damp hair on curlers. Perm the hair in the chosen way (vertical, horizontal). To form good curls:
Select a 0.5 cm thick strand;
comb it;
if you use paper, put the tip of the curl in a sheet folded in half;
pull the hair at an angle of 90 ° to the head;
put a curler (or another type of roller) under the edge of the strand;
twist the curl to the roots, helping yourself on both sides with your thumb and forefinger. Hold the curlers with your middle finger;curl evenly, but not too tightly, otherwise the composition will not saturate the hair completely;
secure the curlers with an elastic band or clip;
repeat the same with the other strands. It is best if they are all the same thickness. - Medium and long hair can be curled starting from the middle part of the back of the head: move towards the neck, and then towards the forehead. Another option is to go from the back of the head to the crown. Short hair is more convenient to curl from the crown to the back of the head.
- When you have curled all the curlers, lubricate the skin along the hairline with a thick cream or petroleum jelly. You can wrap a special bandage around your head instead.
- Tie with a tourniquet.
- Put on a protective cape and gloves.
- Pour the perm solution into one of the bowls. The amount depends on the length of your hair: for short hair – about 50-60 milliliters, for medium hair – about 120, for long hair – from 150.
- Distribute the solution over the curled curls, starting from the back of the head, then along the crown at the temples, along the growth line and on the sides. Work quickly, but do not miss a single curler, move sequentially. For convenience, use a sponge or applicator.
- When finished, put on a warming cap or a polyethylene cap.
- Wrap a terry towel on top.
- After 15 minutes, check the degree of readiness of the curls. To do this, remove the towel, cap and untwist 4 curlers: on the back of the head, crown and on the sides. Do this with gloves!
- If the curls have just begun to form, Tighten the rollers and leave them on for the maximum time specified in the instructions. Periodically check the quality of the curls.
- When you see that the curls have become elastic, wash off the composition with warm water. Do not remove the curlers, but twist back those that you used for testing.
- Remove excess moisture by blotting your hair with a towel.
- Use a second sponge or applicator to distribute half of the fixative over your hair. Nuances:
if you make it at home, prepare it immediately before use;
pour the foam into a bowl and beat it. You will need the foam;
do not foam, distribute directly from the bottle spout. - After 7-10 minutes, remove the curlers from your hair.
- Apply the second part of the fixative to the curls.
- After 5 minutes, wash your hair, then rinse. To do this, add 130 milliliters of vinegar to 4 liters of water. This amount is enough for long hair. For medium and short hair, reduce the proportions by half. The water should be warm at all stages.
- Slightly remember the curls with your hands and dry them with a towel. You can"t use a hairdryer: your hair will look like a dandelion.
- Apply a conditioner or hair shaft restorative to your hair.
- Style with curlers.
- Wash all tools with hot water.
It is ideal to have assistance if you are doing a long-term style outside of a salon.
Safety precautions
- Make sure that chemicals do not come into contact with your skin or eyes.
- Protect your clothes from drops of the composition and fixative.
- Be sure to close the bottles with curling products, otherwise a chemical reaction may occur.
- Wear gloves – this is one of the simplest safety rules that should not be neglected.
- Strictly follow the technology. Proceed to each new stage of curling after completing the previous one.
- Keep the products on your hair exactly as long as indicated in the instructions! Increasing the time will not make the curls better, but will definitely ruin your hair.
- Don"t be distracted by other things, snacks and smoke breaks while working.
- Do the perm in a room with good ventilation.
- Make sure that all the products have a good expiration date. Especially important if you bought the product in advance.
- Reschedule the procedure if there are wounds, abrasions, acne, or dandruff on your scalp.
- Do not do long-term styling during menstruation, during an exacerbation of chronic illnesses, or if you are taking antibiotics or hormonal medications.
- Absolute contraindications to perm are pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Take note! Additionally, the procedure should be delayed if your hair is falling out, extremely weak, or has recently undergone dyeing (including with henna or basma).
Making permanent hair at home can be dangerous, particularly if you try it yourself. The process takes a lot of time and work. It’s crucial to consider every detail before beginning, including selecting the ideal composition, getting the tools ready, curling the curls carefully, avoiding overexposing the solution, remembering the safety precautions, and much more. Professional hairdressers are not exempt from force majeure, of course, but the chances of making a mistake rise if they lack the necessary experience.
It is preferable to trust a hairstylist with creating curls if your budget permits. Many of them bill less for services rendered at the client’s house than they would in a salon. If you still want to try your hand at "chemistry," make sure your skin and hair are ready, test them thoroughly, and take each step gradually. Start with a gentle composition. The hair will suffer less if you let the curls go out of style for a shorter period of time. Remember that your hair requires extra care after getting a perm in order to maintain the results of the procedure and take better care of your hair.
Read up on long-term hair perms by reading these articles:
- carving or bio-curling of hair – which is better, how the styling differs;
- what is the difference between a bio-curl and a chemical curl, which is better to choose;
- what is the difference between carving and perm;
- perm "Angel curls" from WELLA, composition and advantages;
- features of performing perm on short hair;
- how to do perm on long hair;
- what type of perm to choose for medium hair.
Tools and Preparations | Instructions |
Perm rods | Divide hair into sections and wrap each section tightly around perm rods. |
Perm solution | Apply the perm solution evenly over the wrapped hair. |
Plastic gloves | Wear gloves to protect your hands while applying the perm solution. |
Neutralizer | After the perm solution sets, apply the neutralizer to lock in the curls. |
Shower cap | Cover hair with a shower cap to let the perm solution process. |
Comb and clips | Use a comb and clips to section and detangle hair before starting the perm. |
Towel | Wrap a towel around your neck to protect from any solution drips. |
Without going to a salon, getting a perm at home can be a satisfying way to get curls that last. The process is simple and easy to handle if the proper resources and arrangements are made. To get started, you’ll need supplies like curling rods, neutralizer, perm solution, and safety gloves.
Getting the best results requires paying close attention to the instructions. Ascertain that you divide your hair correctly, distribute the products equally, and allow adequate time for the solution to act. Never forget how crucial it is to use a neutralizer to preserve curls and prevent hair damage.
It is totally possible to achieve a salon-quality perm at home with practice. Throughout the process, it’s critical to exercise patience, focus on the little things, and protect your hair. Cheers to your gorgeous new curls!