Perms in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
We do one to three perms most days. They’re a properly resurgent service — the modern perm is nothing like the 80s perm that gives the technique its reputation, and we spend a lot of consultations dispelling the pot-noodle assumption. Today’s perms range from loose, beachy waves to defined spiral curls; the chemistry has come a long way, the technique is gentler, and the results last six months or more depending on how you wear them and what you wash with.
That said, perms are still a chemical service and they’re not for every head of hair. Heavily lightened hair, hair that’s been box-dyed for years, hair that’s already very damaged — these need a careful conversation before we’ll book anything. The consultation isn’t a sales pitch; it’s an honest assessment of whether a perm is the right move for the hair you actually have.
Call or WhatsApp 01235 534705 if you’d like to ask any questions before booking.
The perm types we offer.
The four most-requested perm types we do:
Beach wave perm. A loose, undone wave — the lowest commitment in the perm world. Great if you want movement and volume without obvious curls. Probably our most-booked perm type for first-timers.
Spiral perm. Defined, springy curls. The classic “perm” look done well — uniform spiral curls throughout. We also do Korean-style and Asian K-Perm variants for clients specifically after that look.
Volume perm. Smaller perm rods applied at the root and through the mid-lengths to give body and lift, especially for fine hair. The curl pattern is subtle but the lift is significant.
Men’s perm. Yes, properly. The texture trend in men’s hair has brought perms back, and we do them often.
What suits you depends on your hair texture, length, density, and how you want it to wear day-to-day. Bring photos to your consultation — the algorithm rarely shows you anything that isn’t achievable, so what you’ve saved is usually a good starting point.
How a perm actually works.
Useful to know what we’re doing to your hair before you commit. A perm chemically restructures the protein bonds in your hair, then locks them in a new shape. It’s a four-stage process:
Perm rods. We section your hair and wrap it around perm rods — the small, finger-like pieces that determine your curl pattern. Rod size matters: smaller rods make tighter curls, larger rods make looser waves. Most perms use more than one rod size so the result looks natural rather than uniformly springy.
Perm lotion. Once the rods are in, we apply the perm lotion. How long this stays on depends on your hair type and the curl pattern you want — looser curls process faster, tighter curls take longer. The lotion is what softens the internal bonds in your hair so they can be reformed.
Neutraliser. Once processing time is up, we rinse and apply the neutraliser. This “sets” the new curl in place. It’s quick — usually a few minutes.
Aftercare. Leave your hair entirely alone for the first 48 hours after the appointment — no washing, no brushing, no tying it up. The bonds are still settling and disturbing them now is what creates uneven results. We tell you this clearly before you leave, but it bears repeating because it’s the bit that catches people out. After 48 hours (72 if you want to be safe), you can wash, and your hair will continue to take its new pattern.
What to expect at the appointment.
A first-time perm at Wisteria typically takes two to three hours. We section the hair, wind it onto perm rods, apply the perm solution, wait, neutralise, and finish. We talk you through the process as we go — most first-time clients have questions during, and that’s normal.
Permed hair behaves more like naturally curly hair afterwards, so the products and routine you used before may not be the right ones for your new texture. We stock JOICO for moisture-based aftercare and can point you at the right products for what you’re trying to maintain. There’s a fuller piece on three things you need for curly hair on the blog — most of it applies straight away to permed hair — and a separate read on how we cut curly hair if you want to understand the cutting side too.
How long it lasts and what it costs.
A perm at Wisteria typically lasts six months or more, depending on how often you wash, what you wash with, and your natural hair texture. It grows out gradually — there’s no sharp regrowth line because the perm just relaxes over time. Most clients book their next perm around the six-month mark to maintain the pattern.
Across Abingdon hair salons, perms generally run between £80 and £150, with central Oxford salons sitting higher. Our average perm in 2024 was £90 across men and women — your specific cost depends on hair length and density, and your consultation gives you a firm figure before you book. The full price list is on a separate page.
Why fewer salons offer perms now.
Worth flagging because it changes how you should think about booking one. A lot of salons no longer offer perms — partly because demand dropped after the 80s and 90s and a generation of stylists trained without ever doing one, partly because the technique demands hands-on experience that’s hard to maintain if you’re only perming occasionally. Even some long-established Oxfordshire salons stopped doing them.
We do them often enough to stay sharp. If you’ve struggled to find a salon that takes perms seriously, this is usually the reason.
Booking your appointment.
Every perm at Wisteria starts with a free consultation. If you’ve not had a perm before, the consultation walks you through the process, tests your hair strength, and gives you a firm price before you commit to anything. For most first-timers we’ll also run a strand test — applying the perm solution to a small section of hair to see how it reacts before doing the whole head. It’s belt-and-braces, but worth it.
Online booking is at wisteriaavenue.co.uk/bookings. Phone or WhatsApp 01235 534705 Tuesday to Saturday. Our cancellation policy is on the website if you’d like to read it first.
