As I’ve mentioned here a few times already, I plan on having a hair make-over (believe me, I badly need one) soon. At first, I was just thinking of going to my previous salon and have my hair rebonded again (I was regularly doing this every six months before I got pregnant). But a few days ago, I stumbled upon a blogger who posted her digital perm experience. I saw her pics and her curls were beautiful. And then it struck me! Why don’t I, for a change, get a digital perm, instead of the usual rebond I was getting right? But the OC-ness side of me can’t do this digital perm without researching about it first. Heck, I don’t want to have to endure months of hell if this perm thing don’t agree with my hair. So, the research is on!
I started my study of this digital perm by knowing what exactly is a Digital perm?
A Digital perm is a perm which uses hot rods with the temperature regulated by a machine, which has a digital display, hence the name. However, the process of the perm is quite analogous to that of a traditional perm. A normal perm basically requires only the perm solution. A digital perm requires a (different) solution plus heat. This type of perm was developed in Korea, and now popular in both South Korea and Japan and other countries.
The biggest difference between other perms and a digital perm is the shape and the texture of the wave created by the digital process. A normal perm, or a “cold perm”, makes the wave most prominent when the hair is wet, and loose when it is dry. The hair tends to look moist and as locks. A digital perm makes the wave most prominent when the hair is dry, and loose when it is wet. Therefore you can create the dry and curly look of the curl iron or the hot curler. The digital perm requires heat, so it is also called a “hot perm” in comparison to the “cold perm”. Digital perms thermally recondition the hair, though the chemicals and processing are similar to a straight perm. One’s hair often feels softer, smoother, and shinier after a digital perm than before it. [Wiki]
A cold perm does not work well with fine hair or coarse hair. A digital perm, on the other hand, can work well with coarse hair, but not well with fine and straight hair. However, most of the problems can be covered by the right selection of the perm solution and the hair stylist’s technique. A digital perm won’t get easily straightened with blow-drying. If you like to enjoy both wavy and straight hair, a cold perm would be better for you. Because a digital perm requires heat, it cannot be used close to your scalp. If you want volume and want to have the perm close to the roots, a digital perm is not for you. Also, a digital perm cannot create tight waves.
Because a digital-perm is so easy to style, it is recommended for people who have a hard time styling at home. It also works well with coarse hair. A digital perm can create loose waves and curls, which is difficult with a cold perm. [Wiki]
Types of Perm Looks
A way to determine the style that suits you best is to know the basic types of perm looks.
1. Classic ringlets are a wash-and-wear style that evokes a natural look. They often fit perfectly with thin hair types and short to medium hair lengths.
2. A Partial Spiral Perm is a style that leaves the hair straight from the scalp to the mid-section of the head and has volumes of curls at the ends. An added tip for creating this style is to use bigger-sized rods for added body. It works best with medium to long hair length.
3. Gentle Waves create a natural volumized look. This type could be styled by simply applying mousse and/or hairspray, brushing the hair lightly on the top to smoothen out the frizz, and tossing the hair to the side to give the hair body and movement.
4. Root Perms add lift to the roots and are ideal for short to shoulder-length hair.
5. Multi-textured Perms create a more natural effect to the curls by adding texture. Using a mixture of small and large rods will do the trick.
For more information on perms, visit this Link
Ok, so we’ve differentiated between a normal/cold perm versus a digital perm. I’d definitely go for the latter since I want loose gentle waves and curls. 
Here are some more sample pictures of permed hairstyles (I doubt if these are really permed though). I think I have to rephrase that. Here are some of the sample pictures of what I want done to my hair. I still have a couple of days to decide if I’m going through with this. Excited much!!!
oh i like the perm of taylor swift! i'm also thinking of getting curly locks. thanks for the visit in my blog!
A Time To Weep and A Time To Laugh
Good information about the digital perm. I am looking to do something a little different with my hair. I have had Keratin treatments, but am tired of the bone straight look. I have really coarse hair and would like to sport a few waves…nothing major, but I want my hair to feel soft. Let me know how your digital perm turns out. Look forward to your response.
Hi! I just got a Digital Perm at Chin Korean Salon yesterday (October 07,2011), I liked my curls at first though but now I’m so bored with it coz’ I missed combing my hair (well, that’s what i’m used to) and it’s so hard to maintain a curly hair! and I also realized that I love having a long straight hair! Now, i really want a Hair Rebond but i’m not so sure as to when i can get one, any advice??? I’ve been having my hair rebonded for 5 years now at Luce Hair Salon in Banilad and It was my first time to get a Digital Perm. Can you give me any advice or tips as to when I can get my hair rebonded again since I just had my digital perms yesterday (Oct. 07,2011)??? I hope you can help me! thanks a lot!!!
Thanks for visiting my page. As to when you can get a hair rebond, I would suggest to wait for at least 4 months (but better if 6mos) before getting a rebond. This is to ensure the chemicals being used will not break your hair or make the strands brittle. For the mean time, just enjoy your curls. You’ve only had it for a day, you might just be missing your straight hair. I also felt that way when I had a perm. But having curls is fun.
can digital perming fix my curly hair?
Hi! I got a cold perm a couple of weeks ago but am not to happy with it as I like loose and wavy curls. I would like to sort of “cover it up” by geting a digital perm. Will this work or do I have to wait and grow out the cold permed tresses before i get a digital perm?
Appreciate your inputs thanks!
I’m actually not sure if it’s okay to get a digital perm just after getting a cold perm. But generally speaking, since these kind of treatments uses solutions in your hair, I would say it’s safer to wait for a couple of months before getting another treatment whether it be a digital or cold one.
Hi, I had my rebond last March 10, 2012, and now I want to have my hair curl. Is it possible for me to have digital perm after 4 months? Please advice.
Thanks..
hi .. can i able to get the digital perm even my hair was rebonded 1yr ago ?
My hair was also rebonded previously and I was able to get a perm. You can have your hair checked by professional stylists just to be sure.
Thank you for your very informative blog about digital perm.
I am really interested to have one. Would appreciate if you could
recommend salons who are really good at it and also at a
very reasonable price (special promo maybe).
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Sheila Tuazon
You could try Mr. Shin of Beauty Brick. I’m just not sure of their price now for digital perm. Another salon that offers good service for digital perm is TOny and Jackey.
I have a long thin hair with no volume and I am thinking if I will have a rebond again or a digital perm. Early this year I tried to have classic perm on january but it turn out bad or maybe because I just love to comb my hair. but on March had my hair rebonded again . i dont know if digital perm will suit me coz i have a round face and if it I will just look like a freak with it. Help me decide please…