Are permanent curls less damaging than constant use of a curling iron?
There’s no doubt that both a permanent curl and regular use of a curling iron can be damaging to your hair, however the processes are totally different with regards to the techniques used and damage factor. It’s essential to have a good understanding of the working mechanics, damage factor and maintenance when picking one of the two.
Working of Permanent Curls
As the name implies it means there is a chemical procedure involved to enhance or alter the structure of a hair bond. The hair is first treated with ammonium thioglycolate or sodium hydroxide. They chemically treat hair by perm and break their disulfide bonds to mold them into curl shapes. A neutralizer is then used to hold the bonds together and ensure that the structure stays permanent. The ammonia or other reshapings materials used can be overpowering for the hair and can be extremely high in pH, that’s why the two steps on the pH scale are considered overheating.
How do perms cause damage?
Abuse from chemicals: Each perm is treated and styled using a wide range of chemicals, these chemicals applied over hair on bonding make the hair weaker internally. The combined use of multiple chemicals ultimately leads to the hair being rough, brittle, and deep-rootedly dry.
High Porosity: Using perms raises any starting porosity hairs from 0 and even beyond 2. It’s this after ranging stronger than norm’s movement when the norm is applied that the outer cuticle layer pops up making them more exposed to perms, moisture, humidity, and heat damaging hair and causing frizz, tangled hair, and loss of definition.
Long-lasting Result: Once the hair gets the perming process done to it, that part is not able to recover once it gets damaged due to the reasons stated. The texture of the hair can only be revived by cutting off the permed sections.
Care and Curing of Permed Hair
Permed hair as stated requires special bonding after it is cured:
Fat Moisturizers: Hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks are required to balance out the hair from being dried.
Protein Treatment: Protein treatment helps the hair with returning back to its original strength.
Avoid High Processed Hair Styles: Try not to get more than one chemical process on a hair style so that the hair does not get damaged thickly.
Even though the perm states that there is no need to curl the hair every day, the hair has not actually outgrown the genetic deformation it has undergone.
Curling Iron: Maximum Use Yearly
Everyone uses curlers that evidently do make curls but they do only under a small range of conditions. It is believed that the bond between hydrogen in the hair, curling the hair is not permanent. Yet again, the process of heat curling has undergone its fair share of modification. However, it would be off the limits to state that perming has been hereto fore unparalleled.
Ravaging Heat Potential Curling Irons Result Damage
Heat Damage: Cuticles are weak, dry, split ends and break due to overheating as moisture cannot be retained in the hair.
The compounding impact: There’s a cumulative effect of exposure, even if you argue that the heat will not show significant damage after one application. However, it raises the likelihood of suffering long-term effects, particularly in its absence.
Loss of elasticity: Continuous use of heat raises chances of protein keratin breakdown which renders hair brittle, less manageable, and more susceptible to snapping.
If you use heat to style your hair frequently, here are a few pointers to consider to avoid damage when styling your hair.
In order to avoid heat damage while curling daily, make sure to follow the steps listed below.
Use heat protectant products: Putting on heat-protectant spray, as the name suggests, helps your hair to build a barrier from the heat that’s going to be applied.
Reduce heat settings: If possible, use the lowest/core temperatures that is effective for your hair type. Fine or damaged hair, for example, can well tolerate temperatures in range of 300–350°F, or 150–180°C.
Deep conditioning: Using deep conditioning masks or treatments regularly, helps replenish moisture and repair damage to strands.
Take breaks: Try hairstyles that don’t involve heat damage and allow your hair to rest. Using sponge rollers or braiding your hair can be alternatives instead of heat style methods.
If used properly with appropriate measures and care, curling rods can be less harmful than they first appear, but it is a continual struggle to defend against damage.
Differentiating Between the Two
Let’s take a look at how a curling iron used on a daily basis compares with getting permanent curls on a side by side basis.
Aspect
Permanent Curls
Daily Curling Iron Use
Process
Chemical alteration of hair bonds
Temporary reshaping with heat
Type of Damage
Chemical damage, structural alteration
Heat damage, moisture loss
Frequency of Damage
Single instance per treatment
Cumulative with repeated use
Longevity of Damage
Permanent until hair grows out
Temporary but compounding over time
Care Requirements
Intensive hydration and protein repair
Regular heat protection and conditioning
Risk of Breakage
High if improperly maintained
High with frequent heat exposure
Which Option is More Damaging?
Daily Curling Iron Use: Repeated use of a curling iron allows the heat to build, this usage leads to irreparable damage. Though one takes care, the amount of heat absorbed will always yield dryness, frizz, and breakage.
Permanent Curls: One of the notable factors about getting this styling done is that the damage done is quite a lot more but the damage obtained is permanent and some of the hairstyles like the french twist will conveniently less the need of a styling or a straightening option.
Making the Correct Decision
Perming versus perming is a topic of great interest as the right stylist would only recommend either one based on what a client prefers in terms of hair goals or type.
Go for Perms If: You wish to keep your curls for a long time but don’t mind investing time into maintaining them. For those individuals who get bored easily and do not prefer to curl their hair every morning, this is the right option.
Go for Curling Irons If: You are okay with extra hair protection and want hair styling tools that are heat based because these are suitable for all those who love straight hair but also want to switch to curls.
Nonetheless, ideal care and upkeep is vital regardless of the method of curling that is chosen. Other techniques of curling or even applying hair products with greater care reduces the damage and allows for getting the desired outcome while ensuring that hair remains healthy.