Everything You Need to Know About Loose Perms for Men & Boys

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Learn how to style, maintain, and care for a loose perm
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Perms are a great way to add volume and texture to naturally straight hair. But, if you’re not into the tight, spiral-shaped curls of the average perm, you’re in luck! Opting for a loose perm gives you softer, more relaxed curls for a more natural look. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most popular loose perm styles to choose from. We also spoke with professional hair stylists to learn what to expect when getting a perm, how long they last, how much they usually cost, and how to care for your permed hair. Read on to learn more!

What is a men’s loose perm?

A loose perm is a hair treatment that adds soft, relaxed curls to your hair. A loose perm looks great on lots of different styles, like short hair, fades, shags, and mullets. The perm process involves wrapping your hair in rollers and applying chemical solutions to lock your hair into the curl shape.

Section 1 of 6:

Loose Perm Hairstyles

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  1. 1
    Short with loose curls This is the classic loose perm hairstyle for guys. With this style, you keep your hair about ear length or above all over the top, sides, and back of your head. Then, your stylist uses large rods to wrap your hair and add loose, natural-looking curls all over your head. [1]
    • As the name implies, loose curls aren’t tight. They’re soft and relaxed as opposed to tight, spiral-shaped ringlets.
  2. 2
    Short and loose curls with a fade For a trendier and edgier look, cut the sides and back of your hair into a fade while keeping the hair on top of your head long. Your hairstylist will then add soft curls to the hair on top of your head to give you a textured and permanently tousled look. [2]
    • For a more dramatic look , opt for a fauxhawk by doing a high fade on the sides and keeping the top of your hair longer.
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  3. 3
    Medium-length and loose curls A loose perm looks great on medium-length hair, giving you a voluminous and textured style. Simply grow your hair out past your ears and above your shoulders. Then, your hairstylist will do the rest by adding loose, relaxed curls all over your head. [3]
    • For a more voluminous and textured look , cut long layers into your hair.
    • For a sleeker look , keep your hair cut straight across with no layers.
  4. 4
    Mullet cut and loose curls The mullet is on-trend again, and adding loose curls is the perfect way to achieve an effortless, rock-and-roll vibe. To achieve this look, grow your hair out to a medium length. Then, keep the front of your hair short and the back long. Your stylist will then add soft curls all around your hair for a messy, tousled look. [4]
    • For a trendier look, opt for the modern mullet . With this style, there’s more layering on the sides and back of your head to softly transition your hair from short to long.
    • Or, opt for the classic mullet look. This style keeps the sides of your head more cropped, so there’s more of an extreme between the front and back of your head.
  5. 5
    Shag cut and loose curls The shag is another trendy style that gives you an even more tousled and messy vibe with loose curls. With this medium-length cut, you add lots of choppy, face-framing layers to your hair. When your stylist perms your hair and adds curls, you get the perfect “I just rolled out of bed” look. [5]
  6. 6
    Long-length and loose curls A loose perm is a great way to add more texture and dimension to long hair. Simply keep your hair below your shoulders, whether you cut it straight across or add volumizing layers. Then, your hairstylist will wrap your hair to create soft, tousled curls. [6]
  7. 7
    Wavy curls If you prefer the look of waves over curls, professional hair stylist Noël Reid-Killings recommends getting a body wave perm. A body wave perm gives you even looser and more relaxed waves—as if you spent all day at the beach. Your hair stylist uses larger rods to wrap your hair and applies less perming solution to ensure the waves are soft and natural-looking. [7]
    • A wavy perm looks great on all hair lengths and styles, whether you like your hair short, medium, or long.
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Section 2 of 6:

What is the perm process like?

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  1. 1
    Schedule a consultation with a professional hair stylist. Visit your hair salon to ask your stylist if a perm is a good option for you. Then, talk to them about the style you want. They’ll assess your hair health and hair type to determine if your style is possible and, if not, work with you to achieve a look you like. [8]
    • Your stylist might suggest going with a slightly tighter curl, as perms tend to fall and loosen up during the first few weeks.
    • Does a perm damage your hair ? In general, perms are unlikely to harm your hair or cause long-term damage if your hair is healthy and untreated (not bleached or dyed). A perm might not be right for you if your hair is damaged or very dry, as the chemicals can cause further damage. [9]
  2. 2
    The stylist washes your hair and wraps it around wide hair rods. The perm process starts with your hairstylist washing your hair to remove dirt and oils. Then, they separate your hair into sections along your head. Once sectioned, they wrap your hair around large rollers to achieve a loose curl. [10]
    • Wider hair rods create looser curls while thinner hair rods create tighter curls. Your stylist might use a combination of different-sized rods to get the loose curl look you want.
  3. 3
    The stylist applies the perming solution and lets it sit for a few minutes. To shape your hair into loose curls, your stylist applies a chemical perming solution all over your hair while it’s still wrapped in the rods. Professional hair stylist Steven Waldman says this solution breaks down the bonds of your hair, allowing it to conform to the curl pattern.
    • Your stylist will leave the solution on for a few minutes and check a strand of hair to see how the curl looks.
    • If the curls need more time, they’ll leave the solution on for a few more minutes.
  4. 4
    The stylist rinses your hair, dries it, and applies a neutralizing solution. While your hair is still in the rods, your hairstylist rinses out the perming solution and then dries your hair. Once your hair is completely dry, they apply a neutralizing solution. According to Waldman, the neutralizer reforms the bonds of your hair and locks them into the new curl shape.
    • The stylist usually leaves the neutralizer in your hair for several minutes.
  5. 5
    The stylist rinses out the neutralizer, dries your hair, and removes the rods. Once the neutralizer is finished working, your stylist thoroughly rinses out your hair and dries it. Then, they take out the rods to reveal your new curls. [11]
    • Your stylist should give you care instructions and styling tips once they’re finished with the perm, so follow their directions and advice. We’ll also share some perm care tips in the sections below!
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Section 3 of 6:

How long does a loose perm last?

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  1. Like most perms, loose perms usually last up to 6 months. It’s normal for perms to loosen up a bit and fall in the first few weeks, but for the most part, your new curls will last for several months. How long they last depends on how quickly your hair grows and how you care for your hair. [12]
    • Loose perms might not last as long as tightly curled perms due to the larger curl size. Additionally, wavy perms might last even shorter.
    • It’s important to properly take care of your hair, especially in the first few days, to ensure your curls hold.
    • Hair stylist Tiffany Carnevale-Russo suggests visiting your hair stylist every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain your perm. Any new growth will be straight, so this helps keep your hair consistently curly.
Section 4 of 6:

How much does a loose perm cost?

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  1. Loose perms typically cost around $100. However, the price varies widely—it depends on where you live, the salon you’re going to, the type of curl you want, and the length of your hair. In general, prices can range from $50 to over $100. [13]
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Section 5 of 6:

How to Care for and Maintain a Loose Perm

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  1. Unless you don’t like the look of your curls, avoid wetting and shampooing your hair for the first 2 days. Waldman says it takes around 48 hours for the neutralizer to reform your hair bonds. According to him, waiting a full 2 days to wash your hair helps your curls last longer.
  2. 2
    Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner . Waldman says maintaining a perm is all about moisture; according to him, curls need a lot of moisture to help hold their shape and avoid looking frizzy or droopy. When it’s time to wash your hair, make sure you use a shampoo and conditioner that are formulated with moisturizing ingredients.
  3. 3
    Be gentle when you wash and dry your hair. Waldman doesn’t recommend vigorously scrubbing your hair with shampoo. Instead, he suggests gently massaging your scalp so you don’t stretch out your hair and loosen the curl. He also recommends blotting your hair with a towel instead of rubbing it dry to help maintain the curls.
    • Use a t-shirt or microfiber towel to pat and scrunch your hair dry. The softer fabrics can help reduce hair breakage and frizz.
  4. 4
    Brush and detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb . Using a wide-tooth comb helps prevent your curls from stretching out and falling faster, says Waldman. Professional hair stylist Gina Almona agrees, adding that regular brushes can “create frizz and breakage” while wide-tooth combs do not.
    • If you don’t have a wide-tooth comb, Almona says your fingers work just as well.
  5. 5
    Avoid getting your hair wet in general. According to Foster, one of the best ways to care for and maintain a perm is to avoid water as much as possible. For instance, aim to wash your hair a few times per week instead of every day.
  6. 6
    Use hot styling tools sparingly. Hair dryers, straighteners, and curlers can dry out your hair, leading to possible damage. [14] Avoid using these tools to style your hair and instead, let your hair dry naturally and use moisturizing styling products to enhance your curls , like creams and serums.
    • If you plan on using heat tools, make sure to apply a heat protectant spray to help protect your hair from damage.
  7. 7
    Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase . It’s important to properly care for your perm when you sleep , too! Both satin and silk help prevent hair breakage and frizziness, helping your perm stay voluminous and healthy-looking for longer. [15]
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Section 6 of 6:

Different Types of Perms for Men

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  1. Different types of perms create different looks and curls. Some types of perms create relaxed waves while others create tight, spiral curls. If you’re not sure which type of perm you want to get, check out some of the most popular types below and what they do: [16]
    • Spiral perm : This perm creates tight, spiral-shaped ringlets
    • Spot or partial perm : This perm style adds curls to certain sections of your hair, like the crown of your head or only the ends of your hair.
    • Body wave perm : This perm creates loose and voluminous waves.
    • Digital perm : This perm creates very soft and relaxed waves. It’s called “digital” because it uses a machine to apply heat to the rods.
    • Textured perm : This style of perm uses different-sized rods to create different-sized curls, giving you a more natural look.
    • Stacked perm : This perm gives you a layered effect by creating tighter curls at the top of your head and looser curls at the bottom.
    • Root perm : This perm simply adds volume to your roots. Only the hair close to your scalp is wrapped in the rods.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtube.com/shorts/O8q5FxbKy1E?si=rIxBhQ5pjrGLnmyi
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/BQTxppF_iO8?si=AMQftcWSq7tOvacF&t=1804
      3. ↑ https://www.moderngentlemanmagazine.com/32-mens-haircut-perm-ideas/
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/bsqc06Fz5Zg?si=5-vQMBQdJwQWKWZ_&t=1743
      5. ↑ https://vagazine.com/the-shag-haircut-for-men/
      6. ↑ https://www.moderngentlemanmagazine.com/32-mens-haircut-perm-ideas/
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/r1DyaYBUY-I?si=f2P5wNnRf2AgbSbP&t=582
      8. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a35006502/perm-hair/
      9. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
      1. ↑ https://www.hair.com/perm-hairstyles.html
      2. ↑ https://www.hair.com/perm-hairstyles.html
      3. ↑ https://hairpros.edu/how-long-does-a-perm-last/
      4. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a35006502/perm-hair/
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
      6. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/health/why-you-should-sleep-on-a-silk-pillowcase-a2058719992/
      7. ↑ https://www.styleseat.com/blog/types-of-perms/

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