
Perms are popular for keeping curls and waves beautiful. However, there are many different types of perms, and many people may not know which perm to choose to get the hairstyle they want. Here we will introduce in detail the characteristics of air wave and digital perm, which are the two most common types of perms.
I want to keep it down! Types of perms
Before getting a perm, let’s first have a good understanding of the different types of perms and the characteristics of each. Perm can be roughly divided into two types: hot perm and cold perm.
- hot perm
A perm that uses chemicals and heat. Digital perms and hair straightening perms fall into this category. Once the cystine bonds in the hair protein are broken by applying a chemical (1 agent), heat is applied to bring about a shape-memory effect, and finally the hair is recombined with the chemical (2 agent).
The curls and straightness are more firmly attached than with conventional cold perm, and the curls appear more clearly when the hair is dry.
- cold perm
A perm that uses only chemicals. The chemical (1 agent) is allowed to penetrate the hair, breaking the cystine bonds in the hair protein, and then a rod is wound around the hair to create curls or waves, which are then rejoined by the chemical (2 agent). Since curls are more defined when the hair is wet, a styling agent such as wax or mousse can be applied to create a wet look to keep the curls beautiful.
Typical perms! What is the difference between a digital perm and an air wave?
Recently, digital perms (shape-memory perms) and air waves are said to be gaining popularity at hair salons. What are the differences between these two perms? Let’s take a closer look below.
- Digital Perm (Shape Memory Perm)
Digital perms are popular for maintaining firm curls as if they were curled with a hair iron. It is a type of hot perm, and is called a digital perm because the temperature can be adjusted digitally and finely.
This type of perm utilizes the hair’s tendency to return to its original strength as it dries, and the heat applied is approximately 100°C to achieve a firm finish. Because of the heat denaturation, the hair is slightly damaged, so it is not suitable for people with damaged hair. However, it is recommended for those who do not want to perm their hair too often, as the curls last relatively long.
- Air wave
Air Wave is popular for its soft, curly hair style. Like the digital perm, heat is applied to the hair, but the temperature is low (45-55℃) and the moisture content of the hair is controlled by sending air from a special machine to the rods. Since there is no thermal denaturation, it is said to be less damaging than digital perms.
However, it does not curl as tightly as a digital perm, so it is suitable for those who want to enjoy soft wavy hair.
Get your favorite hairstyle with a perm that suits you!



