11 Different types of Perms: Style Guide, Prices & More

Decide which perm is right for your personal style and budget

Co-authored by Noël Reid-Killings and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: June 11, 2024 Fact Checked

You’re tired of sleeping in curlers and using that curling wand—you want effortless curls permanently! With what you want, a perm sounds like the perfect fix, but with all the different perming techniques out there, how are you supposed to choose? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place because we’ve got everything you’ve ever wanted to know about each perm right here, from which hair types they’re best for, what aesthetic they embrace, and how long they last.

1

Spiral perm

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Spiral perms give longer hair a romantic bounce. Chances are, when you think of a perm, you think of a spiral perm. This curled hairstyle is all about a spiraling curl with a flirty bounce. The curls start super tight but begin to loosen over time. ^{[1]
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- Best for: Shoulder-length or long hair
- Type of perm: Cold
- How it works: Hair is rolled vertically on a rod, and a strong chemical solution is applied.
- How long it lasts: 6 months
- Price: $45 to $200

2

Body wave perm

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Body wave perms add natural volume for a relaxed look. Want to add a bit more oomph to your hair without a tight curl? If so, a body wave perm is for you! This perm gives hair a natural wave to add more volume and texture to pin-straight hair. Basically, 80s hair = body wave perm.
- Best for: Fine or straight hair of any length
- Type of perm: Cold
- How it works: Hair is wrapped tightly around large sponge rollers and dosed with a chemical solution.
- How long it lasts: 3 to 5 months
- Price: $40 to $200

3

Beach wave perm

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Beach wave perms create a naturally beachy texture. If you’re a sea salt spray lover, this is the perm for you! A beach wave perm adds definition and volume to straight hair for an effortlessly tousled wavy do. ^{[2]
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- Best for: Heavy and straight hair
- Type of perm: Cold
- How it works: Hair is rolled onto soft, flexible rods and saturated with a chemical solution.
- How long it lasts: 3 to 6 months ^{[3]
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- Price: $40 to $200

4

Multi-textured perm

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Multi-textured perms add a natural bounce with different-sized curls. Have you envied curly-haired girls or boys your whole life? If so, this perming technique may give you the natural wave you’ve been after. The multi-textured perm creates realistic curls using different-sized rods. Tight, loose, or soft waves can be achieved, depending on your aesthetic preferences. ^{[4]
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- Best for: Medium to long hair
- Type of perm: Cold
- How it works: Hair is wrapped around different-sized rollers, and a chemical solution is added.
- How long it lasts: 2 to 3 months
- Price: $40 to $250

5

Stack perm

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Stack perms add volume halfway down the head. This perming technique gives the illusion of layers without curling the entire head. The waves are voluminous and big, but they typically start at eyebrow or ear level, depending on your preferences. ^{[5]
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- Best for: Medium or short hair
- Type of perm: Hot
- How it works: Hot rods of different sizes are placed throughout the hair, and a chemical solution is applied.
- How long it lasts: 4 to 5 months
- Price: $40 to $250

6

Digital perm

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Digital perms give long hair voluminous waves fit for the Renaissance. This perm trend started in Japan, and boy are we glad it made it to the States! A digital perm uses infrared heat to shape hair into flowing, voluminous ringlets to replicate the work of a curling iron. ^{[6]
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- Best for: Straight and thin hair
- Type of perm: Hot
- How it works: Infrared heat is pumped through temperature-controlled rods, and the hair is coated with molecular-repairing chemicals.
- How long it lasts: 4 to 6 months
- Price: $150 to $300

7

Spot perm

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Spot or partial perms only curl a specific area of the head. Want a unique hairstyle like no other? Well, try getting a spot perm! This perming technique only perms a small portion of hair to add volume and depth. Guys and girls use spot perms to cover thinning hair or balance out their natural curls. ^{[7]
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- Best for: Thin hair, short hair, and those with uneven natural curls
- Type of perm: Cold
- How it works: Hair is wrapped around desired roller size, and a chemical solution is applied.
- How long it lasts: 4 to 5 months
- Price: $30 to $100

8

Root perm

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Root perms lift the hair near your roots for more volume. If spiraling curls or waves aren’t your thing, no worries. A root perm may be the perfect treatment for you to get the volume you crave without the curl. This technique doesn’t curl your hair. Instead, it uses heat at the root to lift what you naturally have. ^{[8]
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- Best for: Flat hair
- Type of perm: Hot
- How it works: Rods are applied with a chemical solution at the top of the head.
- How long it lasts: 4 to 5 months
- Price: $30 to $80 ^{[9]
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9

Volumizing perm

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Volumizing perms put relaxed, loose curls in all hair types. This perming technique is exactly as the name suggests: volumizing. A volumizing perm is perfect for guys or girls looking to add some extra height and bounce to their hair. ^{[10]
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- Best for: Fine, short, or long hair
- Type of perm: Hot or cold
- How it works: Extra-large rods are put throughout the hair using heat or no heat (based on the stylist’s preference), and a chemical is applied after the rods are removed.
- How long it lasts: 6 weeks (using heat will make the perm last longer)
- Price: $40 to $150

10

Pin curl perm

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Pin curl perms add spiral curls to shorter hair. This perming technique uses pins and curlers to give those with short hair tight, coiled curls. The curls are playful and voluminous and can be looser or tighter depending on the size curlers used. Basically, if you want a 50s-inspired look, the pin curl perm is for you. ^{[11]
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- Best for: Short or medium-length hair
- Type of perm: Hot
- How it works: Curls are made with a curling iron and pinned to the head. Then, a chemical solution is applied.
- How long it lasts: 3 to 6 months
- Price: $80 to $100

11

Straight perm

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Straight or reverse perms chemically flatten hair. Getting a straight perm can cut your morning routine in half if you're a regular flat iron user. This perming technique straightens the hair instead of curling it, resulting in a glossy and smooth finish. ^{[12]
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- Best for: Curly or wavy hair
- Type of perm: Hot
- How it works: Hair is doused in a chemical solution, washed, and straightened with a heat tool.
- How long it lasts: 6 to 7 months
- Price: $300 to $800

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Tips

Show your stylist a picture of inspiration for what you’d like your hair to look like. Then, they’ll be able to help you pick the perfect perming technique. ^{[13]
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There are “hot” and “cold” perms. Hot perms involve heated rods and acidic chemicals that result in a looser curl, whereas cold perms use alkaline chemicals without heated tools for a tighter curl. ^{[14]
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The prices listed in this article are estimates. Call your salon to find out how much a certain type of perm will cost for your hair length and type.

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Warnings

Hair can be colored before or after a perm, but doing both back-to-back or simultaneously could cause hair damage.

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Consider the risks of a perm before heading to the salon, especially if you’ve colored, bleached, or permed your hair in the past.

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Cold perms are the least damaging when compared to hot perms, but any perming technique can potentially damage hair follicles and strands.

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11 Different types of Perms: Style Guide, Prices & More

Steps

Spiral perm

Body wave perm

Beach wave perm

Multi-textured perm

Stack perm

Digital perm

Spot perm

Root perm

Volumizing perm

Pin curl perm

Straight perm

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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