Asian Hair Secret: Digital Perms

Notice how some Asian women, especially Korean and Japanese women, always seem to have perfectly styled and curled hair? What is their secret?

The digital perm!




The digital perm is a perm process designed especially for Asian hair. It is similar to the usual cold perm, where a perm solution is used, except that the perm rollers are attached to a machine (hence the word "digital") that heats the rods. The perm results in a softer wave, unlike the old fashioned, tight curls that would cause a disastrous hair mess! It is best for short or medium length hair. The longer the hair, the curl will straighten out from the weight of the hair, and it will only look curly on the ends.

Perm Process:

The perm process takes about three hours. First, the hair stylist will cut your hair. They often recommend that you have the hair layered for a "more beautiful curl", but for my perm I actually refused to have it layered, since I have thin hair and layering my hair makes it look super thin. Then the stylist will put perm solution in your hair along with rollers. The hair rollers are usually on the larger side, to create a soft curl or wave. Then you are attached to a crazy looking machine with all sorts of wires for about an hour while the stylist checks on the curls every once in a while. Then the perm solution is neutralized and then the hair is washed.

This is what the machine looks like:

Styling a Digital Perm:

Although a digital perm saves you time from curling your hair, you do still have to style it. Be careful not to comb through your curls, otherwise this will make a frizzy mess. If you need to detangle, do this while you are conditioning your hair, and use your fingers. To style, it is best to do this after you have washed your hair, or you can just wet your hair with a spray bottle. If you air dry your hair, twist segments of your hair together and leave it to dry like that. This will create nice, soft curls. If you are using a blow-dryer, you should also twist segments of your hair, and scrunch the segments upwards. Cup the twists of hair in your hand and blow-dry the hair in your hand. If this twisting technique is not used, your digital permed hair will look merely like a slight wave.

With a perm, hair that typically does not hold a curl from a curling iron for long will hold a curl for much longer.

How Long Does it Last?

They say that a digital perm lasts three to four months, but I have had mine for about ten months, and I still have a curl in it.

Where to get a Digital Perm?

If you have Asian type hair, it is best to go to a salon that specializes in Asian hair. There are many Korean and Japanese hair salons that offer digital perms. Typically, the Korean salons are cheaper than Japanese hair salons.  I went to the Park Seung Chol Hair Studio in Garden Grove, California. Click here to see their Yelp reviews. It was $120 including a cut and a perm. It is $120 for any length hair, and I had pretty long hair. They also gave me some Obsidian hair shine cream, free, with the perm.