Discover what is a digital perm—a modern hair treatment that creates soft, natural waves with heat and specialized solutions.
If you’ve ever envied morning bouncy, effortless curls, you’ve likely heard the phrase “what is a digital perm.” It almost sounds otherworldly, doesn’t it? And it is, sort of. While perms chemically change your hair, digital perms work with heat and technology—a perfect example of how digital transformation has impacted even the beauty industry—to provide a soft, effortless wave. It’s not so much “just got out of an ’80s salon” as it is “just unwrapped my curling iron.”
So, what exactly is a digital perm, anyway? How is it different from a regular perm? And is it right for you? Let’s start so you know what to anticipate when you head to your local salon.
Article Breakdown
Normal vs. Digital Perm: How Do They Differ
One of the questions on everyone’s lips is how a digital perm is distinct from a regular, so-called “cold perm.” The distinction lies both in the process itself and in the result.
1. How They Work
- Normal Perm (Cold Perm): It is a procedure where your bonds are chemically broken and reformed into curls. It is a cold process, and curls are achieved when you have wet hair. When hair is dry, curls relax and lose structure.
- Digital Perm: Just like a cold perm, which is achieved without the assistance of heat with the aid of chemicals, a digital perm uses both chemicals and heat to rebuild the hair. Your hair is wrapped around rods that get heated inside a machine set to maintain temperature. Heat maintains curls longer, offering a defined and voluminous finish.
2. The Look & Feel
- Cold Perm: Your curls will be well defined when your hair is damp, yet relax and loosen when your hair is dry.
- Digital Perm: The opposite. Tight curls when dry; loose curls when wet. This is what gives you the “just styled with a curling iron” soft, wavy effect.
3. Texture and Shine of Hair
Digital perms soften the hair, render it glossier, and smoother as they thermally recondition the hairs. Whereas the conventional perms frizz the hair and render it slightly dry, digital perms render it healthier and smoother in appearance.
How Much Will a Digital Perm Cost?
Let’s talk about numbers. Cold perms are cheaper than digital perms due to the special process and machinery involved. Here is what you should know:
- Average Price: $100 – $400+ (depending on the salon, hair length, and experience of the stylist)
- High-End Salons: High-end salons may be $500 or more for a digital perm, especially when using cutting-edge equipment.
- Cost Options: If you go to a salon where a number of clients at a time can be served, it might be less expensive.
Time Investment
Not just is a digital permd more costly, it also takes longer. While a regular perming process is completed within 2-3 hours, a digital perming process is completed within 3-5+ hours based on your thickness and the length of your hair.
A digital perm does not cause any damage to your hair.
The million-dollar question: Will a digital perm be damaging to your hair? The answer is—like everything involving chemicals and heat—it depends.
Pros and Cons
Pros: ✅ Looks natural and voluminous
✅ Long-lasting curls (typically 6 months to a year)
✅ Reduces the need for daily heat styling
✅ Softer and shinier finish compared to normal perms
Cons: ❌ Still causes some damage (it’s a chemical treatment, after all!)
❌ More expensive and time-consuming
❌ Not ideal for over-processed or color-treated hair
Who Should Consider a Digital Perm?
If you have virgin, healthy hair (that is, not colored or chemically treated in the past 3 months), then a digital perm could be suitable. If your hair is already damaged by coloring or other chemicals, you should wait and treat your hair first.
Tip: The thicker and longer your hair is, the tighter your curls will be. If you desire tighter curls, you may need to cut off some length.
My Experience with a Perm
Full disclosure, I’ve never personally gotten a digital perm. But I did get an alkaline perm at one point, and I’m here to tell you, it was a game-changer. My naturally straight, dense hair actually had some bounce and flow, and I loved how it held style better than it ever had before. That being said, I completely overhauled my own hair regimen. I went “curly girl,” sulfate-free cleansers, regular deep conditioning, and learning how to style my new waves without heat on my hair. The caveat? Minimal ends damage—apparently because I permed my color-treated locks. Lesson learned: perming over color-treated hair requires special care! For those considering a digital perm, my advice is to see a stylist first. Bring your history with you, ask about the best aftercare system, and get your locks in order before doing so.
How to Maintain Your Curls in a Digital Perm
So you’ve got your trendy digital perm–now what? Here’s how to maintain your curls as fresh as possible:Do’s
✔ Use a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid drying out your curls
✔ Deep condition regularly to maintain moisture and softness
✔ Use a diffuser when blow-drying to enhance curls
✔ Finger-comb your hair instead of using a brush to avoid frizz
✔ Trim your hair regularly to keep the curls bouncy
Don’ts
❌ Avoid washing your hair for at least 48 hours after the perm to let the curls set
❌ Say no to excessive heat styling—it can weaken the perm
❌ Don’t brush your hair when dry—this will disrupt the curl pattern
Key Takings:
- If you adore the soft, natural-looking curls and don’t wish to be curling your locks every morning, then a digital perm could be your new best friend.
- Just be willing to pay the time and the money and ensure your locks are healthy enough to handle the process.
- For me, the process of alkaline perming taught me just how much I loved textured hair, and I still apply some of the curly hair tips I learned then.
- If you’re considering doing a digital perm, do it—but do your research, get a good stylist, and be willing to alter your hair care regimen.
- Would you get a digital perm? If you’ve had one before, do share your experience. Leave your comments and let’s discuss what is a digital perm!
Additional Resources:
- A Beginner’s Guide to Getting a Digital Perm: This article from Kelture Beauty Salon offers an in-depth look into what a digital perm entails, the process duration, and considerations for different hair types.
- Digital Perm What Exactly Is It and What You Should Consider Before Getting One:Vintage Studio’s guide discusses the digital perm procedure, its effects on hair structure, and essential factors to consider before opting for this treatment.
- Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Perms: Verb Products provides a comprehensive overview of various perm styles, including digital perms, detailing their suitability for different hair types and the expected outcomes.
- Digital Perm Tutorial: This YouTube video offers a visual walkthrough of the digital perm process, showcasing the steps involved and the results you can expect.
