Digital Perm Q/A

The modern, digital perm machine.

The digital perm promises a more caring and modern way to permanently wave hair. It is a costly and time consuming process.



First the hair is 'relaxed' with a chemical solution that is different to the traditional perm solution.

Next the hair is set on rollers that are wired up to the perm machine. The rollers heat the hair and set the curls.

After a digital perm the hair should not be washed for two days. It should not be coloured for two weeks.

The hair should be curly forever after but I have heard that the curls tend to 'drop' or loosen after a few months.

The results can look fantastic. I can see why girls would want a luxurious 'beach wave' and long, wash and wear hair.

However it has limitations. The rollers are not placed too close to the root so height, volume and root lift are not created. These are qualities that a traditional 'cold' perm can offer. I also think that some of the results can look frizzy or unkempt. Overall it seems to give good results, in the hands of a skilled stylist.

The digital perm was developed in Japan in 2011 and is also very popular in Korea. Asian hair can be thick and very straight. It is easy to see why creating long lasting, healthy curls is so popular in these countries. The digital, or 'hot' perm is making its way across the world and is now being offered in America and the U.K.

Digital perm before and after

This girl has shared her experience having a digital perm on youtube.