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"I want the Natural Soft Wavy Hairstyles"
"I like a style using a Curling Iron but want to Shorten Styling Time"
"I want a style that is easy and quick to style"
"I have tried a traditional perm before but curls got loosened quickly"
If any of the above applies to you, Digital Perm might be a perfect solution for you!
Digital Perm has gotten a lot of attention lately - it has been one of the most popular menus at Three Degrees Salon in East Village, NY. We receive a lot of questions about its procedures, styles, styling tips, maintenance, etc.
So here's the ultimate guide to Digital Perm for you, written by the owner/creative director of Three Degrees Salon and a hair specialist with + 15 years of experience, Kei.
Who wrote this article?
Kei Hirata Owner/Creative Director Three Degrees Salon
Other Popular Article: Hair Color Guide - Read if you are unsure which menu to book Balayage 101: The Basics to know and 8 Elegant Balayage Colors
Content
1: What is Digital Perm?
2: Digital Perm vs Cold Perm
3: The Upcoming Technique - Korean Perm
4: 7 Hottest Digital Perm Styles for Every Length
5: How to Care and Style Your Hair After Getting Digital Perm
6: Summary
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1. What is Digital Perm? 7 Most Frequently Asked Questions
Digital Perm is a cutting-edge hair treatment that completely transforms your hair structure.
Unlike the traditional cold perm, which uses a liquid solution and indirect heat, Digital Perm utilizes a cream solution and a professional machine to heat the rods before applying them to the hair. This modern process results in longer-lasting curls or waves.
The beauty of Digital Perm lies in its versatility. Skilled stylists can tailor the procedure to suit your hair's specific needs, addressing areas with more damage or varying levels of curl desired. With Digital Perm, you can expect a personalized and dynamic approach that leaves your hair looking fabulous and ready to turn heads.
(BEFORE & AFTER)
【How does it look?】
Digital Perm creates big, soft waves/curls like the pictures above as if you use a curling iron. The curls look more prominent when the hair is dry.
While it is very easy to style digital-permed hair, it requires a very accurate and careful execution to get a beautiful digital perm due to the involvement of the heat process directly to the hair. Hair stylists must have a lot of knowledge and high skills in haircuts and perm to create a perfect digital permed hair look. (yes, a good haircut is needed to complete the permed look)
【Price?】
In general, Digital perm is relatively more expensive than cold perm and the pricing at Three Degree Salon isn't an exception. You can see our price HERE.
We use Japanese solutions to minimize the damage and our pricing varies depending on the length of hair. Our price includes a haircut, as we believe a haircut is necessary to complete the permed look.
【Damage?】
For Digital Perm, it is possible to “minimize” the damage by adjusting the heat temperature and concentration of the solutions. However, it is inevitable to cause some kind of damage due to the additional heat process.
【How long does it last?】
Digital Perm’s curls itself last 6 months to a year. However, hair grows in the meantime so the total balance and its look will gradually change as the roots grow and the permed hair (where it has curls) goes down. If you want to maintain the look as fresh, we recommend getting a digital perm every 3 - 6 months.
Also, another thing to consider is that you do not want to do a bleached color to the same part where you had a digital perm before, or vice versa, as this will heavily damage the hair. (Unbleached color is fine)
【Who can get Digital Perm?】
Digital Perm originated from Asia, where a lot of people have coarse, thick hair - so it sometimes works better for those types of hair, even if your curls tend to get loosen quickly on cold perms. However, since it was originally invented for Asian hair, the effects that can make on Caucasian's fine and soft hair may depends on each hair. It also requires stylist's expertise and deep understanding of this type of hair. I suggest consulting with a hairstylist beforehand if you have this type of hair, or you are uncertain. At Three Degrees Salon, we conduct a testing to see the hair's reaction in advance when stylists think it's necessary.
You should also consult with a hairstylist beforehand if your hair is heavily damaged or bleached before. At Three Degrees Salon, we essentially don't offer any perm process to bleached hair.
However, Interestingly enough, you can do a digital perm to the same part where you had a Japanese straightening. This is because we use the same chemical solutions for both processes. You can also straighten your hair around the roots while creating curls towards the bottom. Please contact us for consultation before booking if you are interested in doing this process with us.
In terms of hair length, you can get a digital perm as long as your hair is longer than 4 inches long. If your hair is shorter than that, we recommend a cold perm. *The below photos are Digital Perm that is done to short hair.
【Digital Perm - Can I get a color and perm at the same time?】
If you want to get a color and perm at the same time, the first thing you should do is consult with a hair stylist, even before booking your appointment. The hair stylist will look at your hair to determine if the process is doable to your hair. If it can be done, then they will decide which should be done first, and whether to do both on the same day or one after a week or two. It would be in your best interests to ask for the professional’s opinion at the beginning so you can go for the best plan for your hair.
2. Digital Perm VS Cold Perm
Traditional perm is called Cold Perm as it shows curls/waves most when hair is wet.
In this chapter, let's compare Digital Perm with Cold Perm so you can see which one would fit your need and the style you want!
【How does it look?】
With cold perm, it creates curls/waves using a liquid type of perming solution. Curls would look more prominent when hair is wet, so using styling products to keep the hair wet is a MUST to show the curls.
One of the pros of cold perm is its flexibility - we can create a large variety of curls/waves/styles using different rods and we can perm from anywhere, even from roots where it’s not possible for Digital Perm due to the heat process.
【Damage?】
The damage caused by a cold perm would indeed be less than what it is caused by a digital perm, but permed hair is easy to get dry in general. So when you perm damaged hair, the damage will be likely to stand out more. It would be ideal to do perm (either cold perm or digital perm) to healthy hair.
【How long does it last?】
Curls/waves from Cold Perm last approximately 2 - 3 months. The curls/waves appear the most prominent right after getting a perm, then it starts to loosen as time goes by. Also, it is possible to do the bleached coloring processes to cold permed hair depending on the hair conditions. Therefore, this might be a more attractive option for people who like to change their hair color often without cutting their hair.
【Who can get Cold Perm?】
Unlike Digital Perm, we can perm the hair in any hair length while some hair types might not get prominent curls/waves. Digital Perm might perform better on some hair, depending on the curls/waves you want to get.
【Can I get color and perm at the same time?】
Again, it would be best to consult with your stylist in the beginning if you want to do both color and perm. If your stylist thinks it is possible (meaning doesn’t ruin your hair), they will decide which should be done first, and whether to do both on the same day or one after a week or two.
3. The Upcoming Technique - Korean Perm
Have you heard of “S curl” or “C curl”?
It is a type of hairstyle/hair curls, creating light soft waves as the bottom of the hair goes with S or C shapes. Korean Perm is a type of Digital Perm focusing on these alphabetically shaped curls. It is invented in Korea where they have advanced skills/techniques of Digital Perm.
Also, there’s a newer digital perm technique called Roots Perm. This perm adds volume to the crown so it is a perfect solution for someone who doesn’t like flat hair.
We can do these perms (S curl perm, C curl perm, Roots Perm) at our salon so if you are interested in them, please book for Digital Perm or Roots Perm and write what kind of perms you would like to get under a note section when booking, or email us directly before your appointment.
4. Hottest Digital Perm Styles for Every Length
Let’s move on to show the actual digital perm styles - these styles are a few of the most popular styles that are often requested at our salon.
1: Short Digital Perm
2: Short Mullet Digital Perm
3: Feminine Medium Length Perm
4: Beach Wave
5: High Layered Perm
Digital perm and mullet cut for 70s style vintage look
6: Multi-Textured Spiral Digital Perm
7: S curl Perm x Highlight Balayage
Related Post for Balayage: Balayage 101 : The Basics to know and 8 Elegant Balayage Colors
As you can see, Digital Perm offers you various styles with haircuts and color techniques!
<New related post added on 10/27/2023>
- This is your Ultimate Perm Hairstyle Guide that features 32 fantastic cold & digital perm styles, ranging from effortlessly chic beach waves to gorgeous curls. Be sure to explore more perm hairstyles from the link below.
32 Stunning Permed Hairstyles Ideas: Short to Super Long
5: How to Care and Style Your Hair After Getting Digital Perm
Digital Perm changes the structure of your hair, so you will need appropriate care for digital-permed hair. Using the right product is also important. Your hair stylists should give you instructions and hair product recommendations, but here are easy and important steps you should follow.
【2 RULES for the first few days】
1: Don’t Shampoo, Tie your hair, or Wear a Cap/Hat.
If you want to wash your hair, just rinse it with water and use a conditioner. (but don’t use shampoo)
2: When your hair gets wet, make sure to use a dryer.
Use a rough comb to detangle wet hair, towel dry really well, cranch your hair and bring back curls/waves, and dry starting from roots and hair ends after.
【Daily Routine】
1: Apply oil or hydration cream after washing and towel-drying your hair.
2: Dry your hair as explained above.
3: Once your hair is dry, apply the same oil or cream as needed. Apply soft wax or an out bath treatment cream if you want prominent curls. Moose is also recommended for beach waves.
Use the right hair product for your hair type and condition & Don’t be lazy to do the daily routine.
--- Keep these two things in your mind because these are the key to maintaining your hair well and making the perm last longer! ---
【How to Style your Digital Permed Hair】
When you style your hair at home, apply restorative oil, soft wax, or hydration cream with your hands and crunch it up, add some texture, and finish with a light spray to shine.
At our salon, we also teach and consult with our clients on how to style their hair after the procedure.
Here’s some product examples that we recommend at our salon.
You can purchase them at our salon or via our online store if you reside in the USA.
1: Milbon - Restorative Blowout Primer
Repair and reconstruct damaged hair that had any chemical process.
Normally apply it to wet hair after towel-drying, but it’s also useful for styling. Apply it little by little from the middle to the hair ends if you don’t want to lose the volume of the perm.
*Coarse for Coarse hair, Fine for fine to medium hair.
2: Milbon - Creative Style Molding Wax 3
This Molding Wax 3 from Milbon maximums Cold & Digital Perm's curls/waves. The style remains all day long. For short to medium hair.
3: Living Proof・amp2 Texture Volumizer
Hair Balm that is easy to create volume and texture.
It’s a perfect product that someone who feels a bath treatment isn’t good enough, but wax or hydration cream feels too heavy or too sticky. For medium to long hair.
4: Living Proof・Instant De-Frizzer
Finishing spray that adds shine and texture to dry and frizzy hair. It's super light and soft, and makes your hair look more natural than any other products above.
6: Summary
Here’s an easy chart to show the difference between cold perm and digital perm.
| Digital Perm | Cold Perm | |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristics | Use cream type of perming solution and direct heat on hair Curls look more prominent when hair is dry | Use liquid type of perming solution and indirect heat Curls look more prominent when hair is wet |
| Style | Specialized in (mostly) Big Soft Waves/Curls | It can create various types of Waves/Curls |
| Price | $$$ | $$ |
| Damage | Bigger | Big |
| Duration | 6 month to a year But we suggest touch up every 3 - 6 month as hair grows | About 3 month After that curls start to get loosen |
| Who it is for | -Fine/Thick Hair -Have tried Cold Perm but curls got loosen quickly -Want to shorten styling time -Had/want Japanese Straightening | -Want Perm/Waves that are NOT big soft waves/curls -Very Short Hair -Want curls from your hair roots |
If you want to do the color and perm at the same time - please consult with stylists first. It’s case by case and we cannot comment without knowing about your hair.
I hope this article helps you to understand both perm’s characteristics and find your perming styles to enjoy!
Ready for Digital Perm? Explore more Permed Hairstyles and Read these tips and tricks to have your hair perfectly primed for the amazing curls and waves before your hair appointment from the links below!
How to Prepare your Hair for a Digital Perm : Prepping Tips and Tricks
32 Stunning Permed Hairstyles Ideas: Short to Super Long
At Three Degrees Salon, we have experienced hair stylists who are specialized in both perms. We also do S curl Perm, C curl Perm, and Root Perm. If you are not sure about the processes you would like to get, we offer a complimentary online consultation.
*We charge $30 + for the In-person consultation if only the consultation is booked by itself. However, if you decide to move forward with any of our services, we will deduct the same amount from any service fees at the check-out on your service appointment date.
Three Degrees Salon
204 E6th Street,
New York NY 10003
Instagram ＠Threedegreessalon
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