The Potential Home Hair Perm Risks
Since home perms were first introduced in the 1940s, the home hair perm risks have haunted many who opted to save money by doing the job themselves. In most cases, those who use home perms don’t have access to the professional perm solutions or the array of roller sizes a stylist has.
The Risks of Home Perms
Even if you use the same chemicals and tools as the professionals in a salon, you cannot have the mastery of techniques possessed by someone who uses the chemicals daily in their work. If you do decide to perm your hair at home, there are several risks you are taking to both your hair and your body.
It’s Not As Easy As It Looks
Perms look best in hair that is compatible. Especially with longer hair or with a spiral perm, the hair type, texture and condition of the hair determines the success of the treatment. Professional stylists have been trained to know which hair types work well with which chemicals, and can advise you if your hair may not take a perm well.
In addition, a professional stylist is trained to know how to roll the hair for a perm. Your stylist will know which rods should be used, and how to roll your hair for a uniform look. This step is known as the physical phase, and every cosmetologist must practice this many times before they can be licensed to practice. This is the most important step in any perm, and greatly impacts the success of the treatment.
Experience Pays In Less Damage
A stylist’s experience minimizes the chances of damage, both to your hair and to your scalp. Perm solutions are very potent, and can be harsh on skin. One of the greatest home hair perm risks is getting the solution on the scalp. Cosmetologists are taught to minimize the skin’s exposure to the chemicals. If you get the solution on your scalp during a home perm, you scalp could become red and blistered. In other cases, the solution causes itching, burning and peeling.
The chemicals can also cause dry, brittle hair if left on too long or applied in too high of a concentration. Dry hair can look damaged, and it is more likely to break. Experienced hairdressers can minimize the damage to your hair through using the chemicals correctly and recommending conditioning treatments.
Perms are Permanent
Before deciding that a home perm is a good way to save money, it is important to consider the risks. Perms, after all, are permanent. The curls created will last until the hair grows out and the permed hair is trimmed. Likewise, if the result is poor or the perm doesn’t take well, the results will remain until the hair is cut.
Let Evergreen Do the Work
Evergreen Beauty College trains professional hairdressers in many common hair styling techniques, including perms and other chemical treatments. For more information on how you can become a professional stylist or receive our expert hair salon service, contact us today.
