Hair
How long does a perm last?
The curl stays in the hair it was done on. What changes is how much of your hair that still is. Here is how long a perm really lasts, and how to make it go further in Calgary.
The short answer
A perm is permanent on the hair that was permed. It relaxes a little over the first few weeks, then stays until that hair grows out or gets cut. Most people book a new perm every 3 to 6 months, sooner with short hair, which is trimmed more often.
New growth comes in with your natural texture, so the real question is how long you’re happy with straight roots and curly lengths.
What a perm actually does
A perm (short for permanent wave) changes the shape of the hair itself. Your stylist winds sections of hair around rods, then applies a waving solution that softens the bonds that hold each strand in its shape. The hair takes on the shape of the rod. A neutralizer then rebuilds those bonds around the new curl.
That’s why a perm doesn’t wash out the way a curling iron set does. The hair that was wound is now a different shape, and it keeps that shape until it’s cut off.
How long a perm lasts, in practice
| Hair and perm | Usually looks its best for |
|---|---|
| Short hair, tight curl | About 2 to 3 months, because regular cuts remove the permed ends |
| Medium to long hair, loose wave | About 3 to 6 months before the roots show |
| Long hair, grown out gently | Longer, if you’re happy with a soft, lived-in grow-out |
Hair grows roughly a centimetre a month, so the straight section near your scalp gets longer every week. With loose waves on long hair, that grow-out can look natural for months. With a tight curl on a short cut, the line shows sooner.
What makes a perm last longer
- Rod size. Smaller rods make tighter curls, which hold their shape longer. Big rods make loose, beachy waves that relax faster.
- Your hair. Coarse, healthy hair usually holds a curl well. Very fine hair or hair that has been bleached many times may take the curl less evenly.
- The first 48 hours. The bonds are still settling. Skip washing, tight ponytails, clips and heat for two days.
- Everyday care. Sulphate-free shampoo, a rich conditioner, and scrunching instead of brushing keep curls defined.
Why Calgary is hard on curls
Calgary’s tap water is hard. The City of Calgary measures up to about 200 mg/L of hardness in water from the Bow River and up to about 274 mg/L in water from the Elbow River, which supplies most of the south, and it’s hardest from December to February. Those minerals build up on hair, which can leave curls feeling stiff, dry and frizzy.
Add dry winter air and chinook swings, and permed hair needs more moisture here than it would on the coast. A few habits help:
- Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo every few weeks to lift mineral build-up, then condition well.
- Add a leave-in conditioner or curl cream before you air-dry.
- Run a humidifier at home in winter.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase so curls don’t rough up overnight.
If your curls feel dry and puffy rather than bouncy, read our guide to preventing frizzy hair in Calgary.
Should I get a perm?
A perm is a good fit if you want lasting body or curl without styling every morning, and your hair is in decent shape. It’s worth a conversation first if:
- Your hair is heavily bleached or damaged. Chemical services stack up, and your stylist may suggest a treatment first.
- You colour your hair. Your stylist will usually space perm and colour appointments apart and tell you which comes first.
- You want a specific look. Bring photos. “Loose waves” means different things to different people.
Do women still perm their hair?
Yes, though today’s perms rarely look like the tight curls of the 1980s. Most requests are soft body waves and loose, beachy texture, and plenty of men book perms for texture on top too.
Cold perm or digital perm?
A traditional (cold) perm is what most salons mean by a perm: the curl is most defined when hair is damp and scrunched. A digital (hot) perm uses heated rods and gives looser, rounder waves that show most when hair is dry and styled. If you’ve seen a style you love, ask your stylist which technique suits your hair.
Questions we hear
How long does a perm take?
At Mood, perms are booked as about two and a half hours for short hair and three hours for long hair. That includes the consultation, winding, processing and rinsing.
Can I wash my hair after a perm?
Wait 48 hours. After that, wash as you normally would, with a gentle shampoo and plenty of conditioner.
Will a perm damage my hair?
Any chemical service changes the hair, so healthy hair and good aftercare matter. A careful consultation, the right strength of solution for your hair, and a treatment when hair needs it keep the risk low.
Book a perm in SW Calgary
Perms at Mood are booked by length: plan on about two and a half hours for short hair and three for long. Tell your stylist the curl you’re after, and bring photos.
