Services
Will a perm damage my hair? | Abingdon | Didcot | Wantage | Oxfordshire
Opening in 2018, our space is now one of the busiest. Our creative team are celebrated for their signature haircuts, hair colour, perms, blowdries and more.
CALL: 01235 534705
EMAIL: [email protected]
4 EAST ST. HELEN STREET, OX14 5EA
Hair Salon Opening Times
Tuesday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Wednesday-Thursday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Friday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Saturday
First Appointment:
Last Appointment:
10 am
3:30 pm
11:30 am
7:30 pm
10 am
6 pm
9 am
4:30 pm
Is a perm healthy in Abingdon
Perms are incredibly popular and a staple for our salon. They are incredibly effective when seeking to introduce volume, texture, permanent curls and more! Perms come in different shapes and sizes from tight curls, looser curls, a combination of big and small, natural looking curls or much more structured curls. However many people ask ‘is a perm healthy?’. In our daily blog our Stylists address whether perming your hair is a good idea, can your hair still be healthy after a perm and how does hair feel following a perm?
If you are considering something different, our perm service page can help. Finally, if you’re new to the salon and not sure how to get the most value from your next appointment, need a consultation or would value a conversation before booking, call or send a WhatsApp message on 01235 534705


Perms for Curly Hair FAQ's
Will a perm damage my hair?
A perm alters the structure of your hair from your existing hair into a curl of your choosing. The perms works by breaking down the natural structure of your hair using a perm solution (with your choice of curl size and tightness), before setting your curl following the conclusion of the processing time thus achieving your new curl. The process of perming your hair works by applying different chemical solutions to the hair to achieve your new found curls, however with any colouring or perming service, your hair will be undergoing a treatment which will affect the condition of your hair.
In order to establish your suitability for a perm, your Stylist will typically identify the condition of your hair before the perm. Certain hair types are in prime condition for a perm, others may require extra care in anticipation and others may fail to meet the threshold full-stop. When hair is already in a healthy condition, in most cases a perm is unlikely to cause issue and you can enjoy your new curls without fuss! Clients that seek to perm their highlighted hair and coloured hair is possible though not guaranteed. Many people are can safely achieve curls whereas others may likely struggle with not only achieving a perm, but may too damage their hair in the process. If you are uncertain, every first-time perm appointment carries with it an advance consultation. Here’s why consultations are important.
Can you perm bleached hair?
Like with any hair, whether you can or should perm your hair is subject to your Stylist consenting to the service. Bleached hair doesn’t automatically translate to unhealthy or damaged hair, neither does it mean that a perm isn’t compatible with bleached hair. The contributory factors usually include the volume of bleach, how the bleached hair feels, how healthy your hair is and whether in your Stylists experience is a perm an appropriate service to undertaken. In the event that the service is deemed to be both safe and appropriate, bleached hair requires extra caution and the type of perm lotion to adopt also better cares for bleached hair. There too may be restrictions in the type of perm that can be achieved and in many cases a fashion perm (also known as a beach wave) might be more achievable given the looser curl type.
If your hair isn’t quite ready to perm, JOICO’s Four Step Treatment is a great option and works wonders in helping fragile, damage or dry hair back to life. If you are considering a perm on bleached hair, your Stylist may or may not decide that your hair is ready. When establishing your hairs suitability, they may take into account that bleached hair is more porous, fragile and dry.
How much strength does a perm take from hair?
As with any perm, colouring service or chemical treatment, each reduce strength from the hair whilst in return achieving a new colour, curl, softness or similar. Whilst there isn’t a fixed percentage as to how much strength a perm will remove from any one persons hair (it varies and the starting point in relation to what your Stylists starting point is really matters and makes the difference, as does the type of perm you hope to achieve). For these reasons it is important to strike the balance between setting out to achieve your desired perm and ensuring that your hair remains sufficiently healthy and a scenario that favours the perm above your health of hair is unlikely to go well. In summary the extent of the strength loss depends on the perming solution used, the condition of your hair before starting out, and how well you maintain your hair post perm.
One thing that is worth noting is that your hair at least initially feel ‘drier’ however this has much to do with adopting new curly hair products, routines and the need for moisture intensive products. There are a number of reasons why curly hair can feel drier and this will require some adapting to your hair routine. Here’s three things that your new curls could benefit from.
Will my hair feel dry after a perm?
It’s quite common for permed hair to feel drier than it did before. The reason for drier hair is because the perm is still in its recovery phase and your Stylist will make it known that in no uncertain terms should you wash, brush, attempt to style or ‘play’ with your perm in the subsequent three days post perm, this is to be left alone to ensue the perm will form as intended. During the perm, this lifts the cuticle layer of the hair which allows for the perm solution to penetrate the hair. It is at this point that a lot of moisture can escape much more readily leading to drier hair particularly in the immediate aftermath.
It’s too worth noting that there is a distinction to be made between dry hair and damaged hair. Most people with curly hair have dry hair and this is often resolved through utilising curly hair products (we use Only Curls in salon). Damaged hair, whilst dry is usually caused by environmental factors or through the influence of damaging products. Curly hair products on the other hand are designed to control curly hair (think dry hair and frizzy) and this hair type can work particularly well with moisturising products, leave-in conditioners, and nourishing oils to name but a few.
Conclusion
In principle if your hair is in good health, there is little to no damage then a perm shouldn’t concern you as far as damaging your hair. That being said perms aren’t for everyone and your consultation will better outline your suitability for a perm, whether it’s right for you, how it might feel, the steps needed and how you may need to adjust your aftercare routine to maximise your new perm.
If you are feeling lost in what could work best for you, leave it to us. Our consultations work through any question you might have, logistics and we too make recommendations based upon your lifestyle and hair type.
Opening in 2018, our space is now one of the busiest. Our creative team are celebrated for their signature haircuts, hair colour, perms, blowdries and more.
CALL: 01235 534705
EMAIL: [email protected]
4 EAST ST. HELEN STREET, OX14 5EA
Opening Times
Tuesday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Wednesday-Thursday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Friday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Saturday
First Appointment:
Last Appointment:
10 am
3:30 pm
11:30 am
7:30 pm
10 am
6 pm
9 am
4:30 pm
Want to know more about if you should perm your hair?
Complete the below and a staff member will contact you at the earliest opportunity with further information about how we can help you with your hair appointment. Any questions, call or send a WhatsApp to the salon on 01235 534705 or book your appointment online.
Want to know more about perms?
As one of the best hair salons for perms in Oxfordshire, we would love to discuss your plans with you! To book your hair appointment or consultation, get in touch with Wisteria Avenue Hair Salon by booking online or calling us on 01235 53470.
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Our Latest Hair Trends Blog
Our hair trends blog looks at the latest hairdressing trends, hair styles, hair colours, gents haircuts, ladies haircuts, perms, seasonal styles and much, much more!
For regular updates and blog postings, check out our recent blogs.