A Korean perm creates soft, natural, voluminous waves using heat (like digital perming) for easy styling, while a traditional perm often results in tighter, more uniform, springy curls, sometimes with harsher chemicals and methods that can look less natural and require more styling. The key difference lies in the result: Korean perms redefine texture for a "grown-in" look, whereas traditional perms reshape hair into distinct curls.
Korean hair perms typically use softer, more natural-looking curls than other types of perms, and they can be customized to suit your individual hair type and desired look." Traditional perm methods result in springy curl patterns that take the shape of the curling rods that were used.
The Basics. Most Korean perms will last between 3 to 6 months if you're getting a full head perm.
If you're worried about hair damage or have fine, brittle hair, opt for Japanese airwave or cold perm, as they are the least damaging perm techniques across all types of perm. Both methods are quick and affordable to retain the look and subtlety of natural curls without the use of heat.
First, while traditional perms usually involve using chemical solutions as part of a “cold perming” technique, Korean perms involve the use of specially formulated solutions that help to carefully restructure the shape of your hair, creating a more subtle appearance, while minimizing hair damage.
Hair that can't be permed includes severely damaged, bleached, or chemically treated hair (like keratin or henna), hair with scalp irritation, very fine hair prone to breakage, or hair that has been recently chemically straightened, as these conditions risk excessive damage, frizz, or failure to hold the curl, with virgin hair being the best candidate for a successful perm.
Digital Perm
The addition of heat makes this technique a bit longer-lasting than other types of perms—you can expect the results to hold for three months up to a year with proper care. While anyone can get a digital perm, it's especially well-suited for those with ultra-thick, straight strands.
Always remember the first cardinal rule of perm maintenance ha! That you're forbidden to wet your hair for at least 24 hours after getting a perm at the risk of deactivating the ammonium thioglycolate.
What is Japanese Straight Perm? It's a revolutionary new technique that originated in Japan to permanently straighten curly, wavy, frizzy and hard to manage hair. The process combines both chemicals and heat to soften the bonds of the hair to reform the bonds in a straight pattern.
NATULIQUE Natural Curl Creator is an innovative professional perming system containing far less chemicals, to create permanent natural curls, or smoothen hair. Formulated with added natural ingredients to match natural pH levels, the hair and scalp are left protected, healthy and undamaged.
Nighttime hair care is crucial to preventing frizz and maintaining your Korean Wave perm. Before bed, use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and keep curls smooth. Tie your hair in a loose bun or braid to prevent tangling. Consider using a soft hair wrap or bonnet for extra protection.
If the chemical overstays, then the hair becomes over processed. If the chemical is left for less time than intended, then the hair becomes under processed and comes out looking frizzled. The chemical solution needs to be completely rinsed off from the hair, otherwise the hair will get damaged and start breaking off.
Brushing and Combing:
Begin with ends challenging to remove snags and knots, and gently comb your way up to the roots. Never brush your hair when dry—the curls can easily break since it's prone to frizz and coarse. Try detangling your hair when damp after a conditioning application.
If you're after curls that hold their shape with minimal fuss, a Cold Perm is your best bet. This traditional method creates tighter, more structured curls, perfect if you want definition, body, and lasting volume without having to re-style every morning.
This is the Korean version of the standard cold perm, traditionally used to build larger curls and ringlets. Your Korean stylist may use a combination of hot and cold perming techniques to create this look, but you should end up with more defined ringlets and tighter curls.
Korean Perms (C-Curl & S-Curl)
It uses a Digital Perm to create soft, feminine, and natural-looking waves that are designed to look effortlessly beautiful. C-Curl Perm: This creates a gentle “C” shape, usually at the ends of the hair.
The perming process breaks structural bonds within your hair, making it more vulnerable to dryness, chemical penetration, and breakage [1]. At worst, perms and hair relaxers can lead to hair becoming so dry and brittle that it breaks off in bulk, jeopardising the thickness and appearance of your hair.
BLOW-DRY WITH COOL AIR
Have you mastered how to give yourself an at-home blowout? If so, you can achieve straight hair by using the cold air setting on your blow dryer. This simple trick is a great way to eliminate the risk of heat damage and will go a long way in the overall health of your hair.
Hair that can't be permed includes severely damaged, bleached, or chemically treated hair (like keratin or henna), hair with scalp irritation, very fine hair prone to breakage, or hair that has been recently chemically straightened, as these conditions risk excessive damage, frizz, or failure to hold the curl, with virgin hair being the best candidate for a successful perm.
Ideally your hair should be shoulder-length or longer for a perm to look its best, but you can perm hair that's up to 2 inches long - this is the minimum hair length for a perm, because it's just long enough to be wrapped around a perming rod.
When you first get your perm, avoid water and washing at all costs to allow the chemicals to settle in your hair. After at least 48 hours, you can wash and condition your hair as normal.
6. Multi-Textured Perm. Multi-texture perms give you waves that look more natural and have more variation to them. The process: Following the typical perm process, different rod sizes give you various sizes of curls or waves.
Don't wash your hair for 48-72 hours after a perm . During that time your perm is still technically forming and can be ruined or relax if you decide to wash it within that time frame. Don't comb thru your hair during the first 48 hours. Leave it alone as much as possible.
Continuously subjecting a perm to activities like swimming, frequent shampooing or wet weather will damage the longevity of your perm. Getting it wet opens your hair's cuticle, releasing the chemicals used to set the perm.