Maybe you saw someone walking down the street with perfect curly hair, or it was your colleague at the office whose wavy hair made you curious. Or you loved her hair and want to find out if it was natural or permed so that you can also get it. The reason for your curiosity can be any, but the real question is, how will you tell if someone has a perm?
You can tell if someone has perm or naturally curly hair by looking at the uniformity of curls. But that’s not it! People can have natural, uniform curl patterns. Therefore, you will need to assess the different signs I have discussed to spot the perm correctly every time.
You may see natural hair having irregular loops and strands curlier at some points and straighter at others. But that’s not the case with a perm.
Below, I have put together 6 things you have to look at to know if someone has the perm or is blessed with natural waves and curls. I also got help from my friend, who has a lot of experience doing perms.
6 Ways To Tell If Someone Has Perm Or Natural Curls
It might be tricky to tell if someone has a perm unless you have experienced the perms on your hair. You will be able to see that permed hair is quite different from natural curly hair regarding the shape, uniformity, and size of the curls.
In the following, we have explained a few commonly noted differences between perm and naturally wavy hair to help you guess more accurately.
1. Perm Produce Uniform Curls
A perm is a famous way to produce uniform curls when done professionally. People who have naturally curly hair go for a perm because their original waves lack uniformity and evenness.
It is easy to notice the uniform curls if someone has long hair. The short hair doesn’t have much surface area to make those curls from the perm noticeable to you.
What do uniform curls mean? They are spread evenly all over your hair, making it into a single-shape splendid hairstyle. But this is not the case with natural waves.
They are not consistent and sometimes may look weird. Someone with natural curls can have a tighter one at some hair strands and a looser one at others.
2. You Get Single Shape and Pattern Curls With A Perm
Perms are available in various shapes, including spiral, body waves, root, partial, or beach waves. So, when someone gets a perm at a saloon or even done professionally at home, all the curls will be of a particular shape.
As a result, it becomes easy for you to tell that someone has the perm and is of whatever form.
When trying to guess the perm, you will need to know about a few of its common shapes or styles. You can easily find this information online. Naturally, curly hair is less likely to have a single or particular shape.
3. Almost Single Size Curls From Perm
Curling hair with the help of a perm solution involves the rods on which hair strands are wrapped to produce consistent, single-size, and uniform-shaped curls.
Unless the person got a braid perm, the spirals or waves from the regular perming procedure are of even size.
From the size of the curls, we mean their length because some people prefer loose ones while others want tight ones. On the contrary, natural curls can be of both sizes simultaneously. Therefore, they are easily distinguished from the waves people get with a perm.
4. Permed Hair Is Straighter At Roots and Ends
The hair roots are difficult to wrap around the perm rods. Therefore, in most cases, an inch or more of hair at its roots remains straighter no matter how hard you try to curl it with the perm.
The hair curls or waves from a perm solution stay on your manes for about four to six months. So, if someone got a perm a month ago, their hair will grow out straight from the roots.
And it will be easy for you to detect the difference between curls in the middle or end of hair and the hair an inch or two above the scalp.
On the contrary, naturally, curly hair contains curls from its roots to the ends. The spirals at hair roots can be less tight, but they will be noticeable, unlike those from a perm.
5. Sudden Hairstyle Change
If you are curious about the curls of someone you know and have not met for a few days or a month, knowing if they got a perm will be easy for you.
The sudden shift in their hairstyle looks perfect from every angle, and with the overwhelming curls, you can get the idea that it’s a perm.
Even if that person had not had straight hair before, because then it would be so easy to detect the perm, you could still tell if she got those curls naturally or not. Hairstyle change with perfect and lasting curls is only possible with a perm.
6. Natural Curls Are Not Perfect
The shine and perfection of curls someone is wearing can’t come naturally. Natural things always have a raw look. So, if you have been noticing someone putting on perfect curls of hair every day, it’s only possible with a perm.
Other hair curling tactics like flat irons can’t produce uniform, and a single pattern curls regularly. Further, no one wants to put much time and effort into curling their hair daily using heating tools.
Which Perm Is Best For Your Hair?
Perm solution contains harsh chemicals that cause dryness and damage to your hair. So, knowing a few things before will help you if you plan to get a perm.
Getting a perm on bleached hair shouldn’t be your choice because it can severely damage your hair, making it look gummy and dry. Even after you give your hair some rest after bleaching, you may go for a gentle perm.
Acidic perms are gentle and best suited for weak hair or receding hairline. However, if you have thick and healthy hair, you should get an alkaline perm.
Wrapping Up
Telling if someone has got a perm or has straight hair is not a hard job unless you have never had any experience getting or reading about the perm. The curls from a perm are uniform, almost the same size and pattern, and last longer. Naturally, curly hair looks tight from some points and loose at others.
