Digital Perm
Digital perm sometimes also known as a “hot perm” is a perming technique that uses a machine to add heat to the perm rods during the perm process to create the “memory” of the curls before put in a fixing lotion to lock in the shape of the curls.
The end result of a Digital Perm is softer and more natural looking curls, which also explains why Digital perm is a more popular perming technique as compared to cold perms.
The different perm styles in the current market like C curls, S curls, Korean Perms, Flow Perm and Volume Perm are all considered part of Digital perms as they are created through a hot perm process. The difference in the perm styles are made through variations in the hair cut and perm rod placement rather than the perm process.
Another reason why Digital Perms are more highly sought after is because it is suitable for almost all hair types including frizzy hair and previously rebonded hair. Whereas these hair conditions (frizzy/ previously rebonded hair) will not be recommended for cold perm.
However one key determining factor whether one should get a digital perm or not would also be the home care maintenance. Whether one has the routine of blow-drying her hair at home or not as it is strongly recommended for customers to blow-dry their hair daily after a digital perm.
The more the hair is blown dry, the more defined the curls will be. If the hair is left to air dry, the curls might come out looser than expected. This is because during the perm service, the curls are “formed” through a hot process, and thus at home, it will require the customer to use heat (hair dryer) to recreate the memory of the curls.
On the contrary for Cold perm, the curls will be more define when it is wet, and the more it is blown dry with heat the looser the curls will be.
Digital Perm VS. Cold Perm
In short, here are the difference between a digital perm and a cold perm
DIGITAL PERM
COLD PERM
PROS
- Suitable for almost all hair types
- Curls are more lasting
PROS
- Can perm close to the roots, thus the curls can start from the roots
- Easier to curl on fine hair
- Curls will look more define if left air dried so it’ll be suitable for ladies who don’t want to blow-dry their hair
CONS
- Cannot perm close to the roots thus the curls cannot start from the roots and can only start from mid-lengths
- Need to blow-dry the curls for the curls to look defined
CONS
- Not suitable for frizzy hair / previously rebonded hair as it will make the hair more frizzy and the curls might turn out looser
- Less Lasting
Digital Perm VS. Cold Perm
In short, here are the difference between a digital perm and a cold perm
DIGITAL PERM
PROS
- Suitable for almost all hair types
- Curls are more lasting
CONS
- Cannot perm close to the roots thus the curls cannot start from the roots and can only start from mid-lengths
- Need to blow-dry the curls for the curls to look defined
COLD PERM
PROS
- Suitable for almost all hair types
- Curls are more lasting
CONS
- Not suitable for frizzy hair / previously rebonded hair as it will make the hair more frizzy and the curls might turn out looser
- Less Lasting