Perming hair at home involves applying chemicals to alter the hair's structure, creating lasting waves or curls. While convenient, it requires careful steps and adherence to product instructions.
Preparing for an At-Home Perm
Before you begin, it's crucial to gather all necessary supplies and prepare your workspace and hair.
Essential Supplies
You will need:
- An at-home perm kit (choose one appropriate for your hair type)
- Perm rods (different sizes create different curl types)
- Plastic gloves (usually included in the kit)
- A plastic or glass bowl (do not use metal)
- An old towel or cape to protect clothing
- Cotton balls or protective cream for hairline
- Timer
- Plastic wrap or a processing cap
- Neutralizing solution (included in kit)
- Applicator bottle (sometimes included)
- Wide-tooth comb
- Old towels for drying
Pre-Perm Steps
- Read the Instructions: Always read the perm kit's instructions thoroughly before starting.
- Strand Test: It's highly recommended to do a strand test on a small, hidden section of hair first to check for processing time and results.
- Protect Your Skin and Clothing: Drape a towel or cape around your shoulders and apply protective cream or cotton balls along your hairline and ears to prevent chemical burns. Wear gloves.
- Wash Hair (Optional): Some kits require washing hair beforehand, while others suggest starting with dry or slightly damp hair. Follow your kit's instructions. Avoid harsh scrubbing if you wash.
- Section Hair: Divide your hair into manageable sections using clips.
The Perming Process
This process typically involves rolling the hair, applying the waving lotion, processing, rinsing, and applying the neutralizer.
Rolling Hair
- Starting with one section, take a small sub-section of hair that is no wider than the perm rod.
- Comb the hair smooth and wrap it tightly around the perm rod from the end towards the scalp. Ensure the ends are tucked in smoothly to avoid fishhooks (straight ends).
- Secure the rod close to the scalp.
- Repeat this process until all your hair is rolled tightly onto the rods.
Applying Waving Lotion
- Following the kit's instructions, prepare the waving lotion.
- Starting with the top sections, carefully apply the waving lotion to each rolled rod, ensuring the hair on the rod is completely saturated with the solution.
- Work your way down, saturating all rods thoroughly.
Processing Time
Once the perm solution saturates your hair, you need to let it process. This is a critical step where the solution breaks down the hair's bonds to reshape it.
- According to a tutorial reference, after saturating the hair, you should let the solution sit.
- The reference suggests choosing the longest time that the kit says you can do. For example, based on the reference, this processing period might be around 45 minutes, depending entirely on the specific perm kit's instructions and your hair type.
- Cover your head with plastic wrap or a processing cap as directed by the kit.
- Set a timer and do not exceed the maximum processing time recommended by the kit. Over-processing can severely damage hair.
Rinsing
- After the processing time is complete, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water while the rods are still in. This removes all traces of the waving lotion. Rinse for the duration specified in the kit (usually several minutes).
Applying Neutralizer
- Gently blot excess water from the rods using a towel.
- Carefully apply the neutralizer solution to each rod, ensuring complete saturation, just like you did with the waving lotion. The neutralizer rebuilds the hair's bonds in their new shape.
Neutralizer Processing Time
- Let the neutralizer sit on the rods for the time specified in the kit instructions. This time is usually shorter than the waving lotion processing time.
Final Rinse and Styling
- After the neutralizer has processed, carefully remove the perm rods from your hair.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly one last time to remove all neutralizer residue.
- Gently blot hair dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing aggressively.
- Style your new curls as desired. Avoid using heat styling tools immediately if the kit recommends against it.
After Your Perm
- Avoid washing your hair or using hair ties/clips for at least 48-72 hours after perming, as this can disrupt the new curl pattern.
- Use hair products specifically designed for permed or chemically treated hair.
Performing a perm at home requires precision and strict adherence to the product's instructions. While referencing tutorials can be helpful, the specific timings and steps in your chosen perm kit are the most important guide.
