Remember perms? If you were alive in the 80s, it’s hard to forget about them! Well, believe it or not, permed hair is back – this time, for men. In fact, many hairstylists say that these days they do more perms for men than women!
Unlike the tight curls of 80s perms, today’s perms for men create natural-looking texture, volume, and movement (which is great news for guys whose hair is on the thin side). Whether you’re drawn to the effortless sophistication of the Korean wave perm, the relaxed charm of loose beach waves, or the dramatic impact of spiral perms, there’s a perm style that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
In this article, we’ll tell you about all the different styles of perms for men, including wavy perms, digital perms, beach wave perms, and more. For those interested in the technical aspects of the process, our comprehensive men’s perm guide provides more information.
What Is a Perm?
Short for “permanent hairstyle”, a perm is a chemical treatment that alters the structure of your hair, transforming straight hair into wavy or curly hair. The name is a bit of a misnomer because a perm typically only lasts three to six months. However, a perm is still a chemical process and a commitment, so you shouldn’t take the decision to perm your hair lightly.
The perming process works by breaking down the natural bonds in your hair shaft using chemical solutions, then reforming them in a new pattern while your hair is wrapped around rods or rollers. This restructuring creates lasting waves or curls that maintain their shape even after washing and styling.
Benefits of Getting a Perm
Can Perms Help Add Volume to Thinning Hair?
Yes, perms, especially body wave perms or volumizing perms, can help add volume and body to thinning hair by creating waves or curls that lift the hair at the roots and add texture. This makes perms an excellent solution for men experiencing hair thinning who want to maximize the appearance of their existing hair while embracing a stylish, contemporary look.
How Perms Help with Thinning Hair:
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Lift at the Roots: The chemical process restructures hair bonds, adding lift and fullness.
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Illusion of Thickness: Waves and curls reflect light differently, creating dimension and density.
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Reduced Styling Time: Permed hair has built-in texture and volume, making it easier to style daily.
For men dealing with thinning hair, Toppik Hair Building Fibers can further enhance the full appearance of permed hair. The colored keratin protein fibers blend seamlessly with textured hair, filling in sparse areas to make hair look instantly thicker.
Another huge benefit is that perming hair significantly cuts down on daily styling time. Permed hair can be quickly styled because it already has texture and volume built in, making your morning routine more efficient.
Are There Different Types of Perms for Men?
There are several types of perms for men, including digital perms, body wave perms, Korean wave perms, spiral perms, cold wave perms, and beach wave perms.
Popular Types of Perms for Men
Korean Wave Perm
The Korean wave perm for men appears effortlessly natural and impeccably stylish. Influenced by K-pop culture and contemporary Asian fashion trends, this technique creates flowing, organic waves that look like your hair was naturally blessed with perfect texture.
The process typically involves using larger rods and specially formulated chemical solutions that mimic naturally wavy hair with variations in curl pattern. The result is sophisticated waves that enhance your natural features while maintaining a polished appearance.
We love the Korean wave perm because it’s remarkably low-maintenance, making it perfect for busy professionals. Once your hair has been processed professionally, daily maintenance is minimal. A simple scrunch with lightweight leave-in conditioner or curl-enhancing cream in the morning is typically all that’s needed to refresh and activate your style.
Curly Undercut
The curly undercut combines the best of both worlds: textured, permed curls on top with clean, short sides and back. This modern hairstyle creates a striking contrast that's become increasingly popular among men who want a contemporary look with added volume and texture where it matters most.
The curly undercut is especially beneficial for men with thinning hair on top, as the permed texture adds significant volume and coverage to the crown area while the shorter sides draw attention upward. The treatment typically takes 2-3 hours (including both the perm and cut) and lasts 3-4 months, though you'll need regular trims every 3-4 weeks to maintain the clean undercut portion.
Spiral Perm
The spiral perm creates tight corkscrew curls using long, skinny rods. Hair is wound around the rods from scalp to tip to create a consistent spiral pattern throughout each strand. This bold look adds significant volume to hair and creates a dramatic transformation.
This treatment generally takes 2-3 hours and lasts 4-6 months, though the curls will gradually relax as time passes. Spiral perms require more styling maintenance than looser perms to prevent frizz and maintain curl definition.
Body Wave Perm
The body wave perm for men is a less intense version of traditional perming, creating natural, wavy texture with a more casual, relaxed look. This style suits medium-length and longer hair particularly well, as the waves have room to develop and flow naturally.
This is considered a good type of perm for men with overall thinning or fine hair because it creates gentle waves that add volume without appearing overly styled or artificial. The subtle texture helps camouflage areas where hair density might be lower while creating the illusion of thicker, fuller hair overall.
For men with body wave perms who want to maximize their hair’s appearance, pairing with Toppik Hair Building Fibers can fill in any remaining thin areas and create an even fuller appearance.
Beach Wave Perm
The beach wave perm produces relaxed, tousled waves that capture the effortless look of hair that’s been naturally textured by ocean air and salt water. This style uses a combination of different sized rods and gentler perm solution to create waves of various sizes, which looks more natural and organic than uniform curls.
This treatment typically takes 2-3 hours to complete and lasts 3-4 months with proper care. One of the biggest advantages of beach wave perms is their low maintenance. They’re meant to look slightly messy and lived-in, so perfect styling isn’t necessary. Just apply salt spray to damp hair and allow hair to air dry.
Root Perm (Volumizing Perm)
A volumizing perm, also known as a root perm, specifically targets the roots to add volume without creating curls through the length of your hair. This technique is ideal for those who want more volume and lift but don’t necessarily want wavy or curly hair.
The perm solution is only applied near the scalp, lifting the hair at the roots while leaving the mid-lengths and ends relatively straight. The process takes 1-2 hours and lasts 2-3 months. This type of perm can also be used to refresh roots between full perms as hair grows out, maintaining volume and lift.
Digital Perm (Hot Perm)
The digital perm (otherwise known as the hot perm) is popular in places like Japan and Korea because it works exceptionally well on very thick, straight hair that’s typically resistant to traditional perming methods. This technique uses both heat and chemicals to create long-lasting, natural-looking waves.
Hair is first treated with a chemical solution then wrapped around rods that are heated electronically to precise temperatures. The process lasts 3-4 hours but results in waves that can last 6-8 months with proper care, though you may need to have roots touched up as new growth appears.
Cold Wave Perm
Cold wave perms use chemicals at room temperature to break and reform hair bonds. This method doesn’t use any heat, hence the name. The perm solution is applied to hair wrapped around rods, followed by a neutralizer to set the curls.
The treatment takes 2-3 hours and lasts 3-6 months. However, the chemicals used in cold wave perms can be harsh on hair, potentially causing more dryness and damage than heat-assisted methods.
Choosing the Right Perm Style for Your Hair Type
Short Hair vs. Long Hair
The length of your hair impacts which perm styles will work best for you. For short hair, spot perms and root perms are excellent choices because they add texture and volume without requiring extra length.
The best perm styles for long hair include spiral perms, body wave perms, and beach wave perms, as these styles need length to properly develop and flow. A popular contemporary look combines long hair on top with a wavy or spiral perm and short, tapered sides.
Fine Hair vs. Thick Hair
Your hair’s natural texture plays a crucial role in determining which perm type will give you the best results. For fine hair, body wave perms, beach wave perms, and digital perms work exceptionally well because they add volume and texture without overwhelming delicate strands.
Digital perms are particularly effective for thick hair, especially thick, straight hair that’s typically resistant to curling. The combination of heat and chemicals can penetrate dense hair more effectively, creating lasting waves that might not be achievable with gentler methods.
How Do I Know If a Perm Is Right for Me?
If you color or dye your hair, then a perm might not be right for you. Perms can leave hair more dry and brittle, and compounding that with damage from bleach or chemical dyes may result in breakage or excessive frizz.
Also: know that you’re in it for the long haul. Perms tend to last at least three months and often up to six (then again, there’s always the option of cutting off your hair if you hate the results). Your roots will grow straight, so if you decide to grow out your perm, you may end up in a weird phase with straight roots and curly ends. Your hair should be at least an inch and a half long for most perms, but generally the longer hair, the better the results.
Maintenance Tips for Permed Hair
The frequency with which you wash your hair will directly impact how long your perm lasts. Aim to wash your hair only 2-3 times per week, as over-washing can cause the perm to fade more quickly. If your hair looks greasy in between washes, use dry shampoo to refresh your style without water.
Since perms change your hair’s texture, you’ll also need to adjust your styling product lineup. Perms dry out hair and add texture, so you’ll no longer need products like hair clay or texturizing spray. Instead, invest in a good curl cream that you can apply to damp hair before allowing it to air dry naturally. If you’re in a rush, you can also use a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment to dry hair more quickly.
Always use a wide-toothed comb to detangle permed hair, as fine-toothed combs and brushes can disrupt the curl pattern and cause frizz.
How to Care for Your Perm
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Use sulfate-free shampoos to protect your curls from harsh chemicals that can strip moisture and cause the perm to fade more quickly.
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Apply curl creams or leave-in conditioners regularly for hydration as permed hair tends to be drier than natural hair.
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Avoid excessive heat styling to preserve the shape and longevity of the perm. If you must use heat, always use a heat protectant first and use the lowest effective temperature.
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Wait 48 hours before washing your hair or working out post-perm. You need to give your hair time to set in its new pattern before introducing moisture or sweat.
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Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent frizz while you sleep.
By following these tips, you can help to maintain your perm’s shape and curls without frizz.
Transform Your Look with a Perm
With the variety of perms available today, from subtle Korean waves to dramatic spiral curls, there’s truly something for every man’s taste, lifestyle, and hair type. Whether you’re dealing with thinning hair and looking to add volume or seeking a lower-maintenance style, perms offer an effective way to transform your appearance. The key is choosing the right type of perm for your hair type and the look you want to achieve.
Testimonials from Toppik Users:
"I have been using this product for over 3 years. My hair has been thinning a lot [with] many small bald spots. It covers all of the bald areas plus makes my hair look much fuller." ~ Goodbob
"If you are [a] person with thin or thinning hair, this product is for you! First of all, it's extremely easy to use. The included tool makes the hairline look very natural and realistic. I received so many compliments." ~ Cke4mks
Looking for more information on perms? Check out our article “Men’s Perms: Everything You Need to Know.”
For men who want to maximize the impact of their new perm, Toppik Hair Building Fibers provide an excellent solution for creating fuller-looking hair. Simply use the sifter cap to shake fibers into sparse areas, pat to disperse, and finish with FiberHold Spray for long-lasting and natural-looking results.