Should You Get a Perm? Take the Quiz and Find Out!
Ready to test your perm knowledge? Dive into our perm hairstyle quiz now!
This Should I Get a Perm quiz helps you see if a perm fits your hair, upkeep, and style. It looks at curl goals, hair health, and how much time you want to spend. Answer quick questions to learn what to expect and pick up a few easy care tips; if you want more ideas, try our hairstyle picker or hair ideas quiz .
Study Outcomes
- Understand the Perm Process -
Learn how a chemical wave treatment works to reshape hair structure and what to expect during each step of the perm.
- Identify Hair-Type Suitability -
Evaluate different textures, porosity levels, and hair conditions to determine if a perm is right for your strands.
- Evaluate Ideal Curl Patterns -
Analyze various wave patterns and curl sizes to pinpoint which style complements your face shape and personal aesthetic.
- Apply Aftercare Techniques -
Discover essential maintenance and styling tips to keep your new curls healthy, bouncy, and long-lasting.
- Compare Perm Style Options -
Contrast classic, spiral, and body-wave perms to find the hairstyle that best fits your lifestyle and grooming routine.
- Decide on Perm Readiness -
Assess your curl IQ and confidence level to determine if it's the perfect time to transform your look with a perm.
Cheat Sheet
- Hair Porosity and Perm Uptake -
Understanding hair porosity is key when you take the "should i get a perm quiz" and determine how well your hair will absorb waving lotion. Low-porosity hair may require gentle heat or pre-conditioning, while high-porosity hair needs added moisture to prevent over-processing. Use the float test (hair strand in water) as a quick at-home check endorsed by cosmetology programs at university salons.
- Rod Size and Wave Pattern -
Perm curl size follows a simple inverse rule: smaller rods yield tighter curls, larger rods give loose waves - you can think "rod down, curl up." Spiral perms use rods wrapped vertically for springy corkscrews, while body wave perms use horizontal wraps for soft S-shaped waves, as outlined in industry guides from P&G Beauty. Practicing on a wig head (often supplied in cosmetology labs) helps you visualize each wave pattern before committing.
- Chemistry of Perming -
The two-step perm process breaks and reforms disulfide bonds with ammonium thioglycolate (reducing agent) and hydrogen peroxide (neutralizer). A handy mnemonic is "Break then Bond" to remember reduction then oxidation, a method detailed in cosmetic chemistry texts at research repositories like PubChem. Timing and pH control (around pH 8 - 9 for waving lotion) are vital - deviation by even 0.5 units can alter curl strength.
- Pre-Perm Preparation -
Healthy hair equals better perm results, so schedule a protein-moisture balance treatment 48 hours beforehand - often labeled "moist before the twist." This step, recommended by university extension programs, ensures cuticles are supple and ready for waving lotion. Avoid coloring or clarifying shampoos right before your appointment to maintain optimal hair integrity.
- Post-Perm Care and Styling -
After neutralizing, use a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner designed for curls to lock in shape - look for labels like "perm hair knowledge quiz approved" on professional salon lines. Apply the L.O.C. method (Leave-in, Oil, Cream) to keep strands hydrated and minimize frizz, a strategy taught in cosmetology certification courses. Sleep on a silk pillowcase and refresh curls with a spray bottle of water mixed with leave-in conditioner.