A perm is short for permanent wave. The process of perming the hair adds curls to the hair. A perm lasts for 6 – 8 months. Thus perms are a great way to avoid using your curling iron every single morning.
Women with straight hair covet curls. Particularly, when straight hair is thin, it appears very flat and limp. In that case, a perm can add body and volume to the hair. Perms are a very stylish option in medium length hair, because medium hair is versatile and open to different styling options.
There are various perm hairstyles for medium length hair. Firstly, the hair is treated to a perming solution. This breaks down the natural bonds of the hair. The hair is then twisted around perming rods. After a certain period of time, the hair is washed with a neutralizer. The neutralizer causes the hair bonds to be reformed. The hair now takes on a wavy shape. The extent of the curls depends upon the length of the rod and the how tightly the hair is twisted around it. Longer the rod, and tighter the twist, curlier the perm will be.
Different Perm Styles for Medium Length Hair
· Spiral Perm: Spiral perm hairstyle is created by using special long rods. The hair is woven tightly around the rods to form ringlet like curls. The spiral perm may be total as below where all the hair is curled up. Spiral perm is a very popular hairstyle for medium hair in 2011. Spiral perms have lot of spring and bounce and can spring out in different directions.
· Partial Spiral Perm: The partial spiral perm is a variation of the spiral perm hairstyle. Only the lower half of the hair is treated to perming solution, while the upper half is retained straight. In this case, the hair roots and crown are not subjected to chemical treatment. So this style is best suited for women with weak hair or those with hair problems.
· Loose Perms: As the name suggests, the perm is left very loose. The waves cover the entire hair for a relaxed easy style. The style looks very elegant and sophisticated. It is perfect for a day at work or an evening event.
· Body Wave Perm: These are loose perms stylized with a slight wave throughout the body of the hair. The effect is to add bounce and volume to the hair. It works best with medium length hair or even slightly longer hair.
· Multi Textured Perm: This hairstyle for medium hair length gives the most natural effect. Small and large rods are used randomly all over the hair to create natural looking curls
· Stack Perms: Layered look is usually associated with straight hair. Stack perms are an option to obtain a layered look in curly hair. Stack perms can be obtained with the help of rollers or perm rods of different lengths.
If you have medium length hair that is straight, perms is a good option for a change. But keep in mind that perming exposes the hair to harsh chemical processes that may cause some damage to the hair. A perm hairstyle lasts for considerable time. So be sure of exactly what you want before going ahead with the perm as it will be difficult to undo the perm style easily.
