When it comes to transforming your hair, two popular techniques—perms and highlights—can dramatically change your look. Both processes offer a distinct flair, but if you’re considering having both treatments done, you might be wondering: Should I get a perm or highlights first? This article will explore the intricacies of each treatment, their effects on your hair, and help you determine the ideal order to achieve the look you desire.
Understanding The Basics: What Are Perms And Highlights?
Before diving into the decision of which to do first, it’s essential to understand what perms and highlights actually are.
What Is A Perm?
A perm, or permanent wave, is a hairstyle technique that uses chemicals to alter the structure of your hair, creating waves or curls that last for months. The process involves two main steps:
- Wrapping the Hair: Your stylist will wrap your hair around rods or rollers, depending on the size and type of curls you want.
- Applying the Perm Solution: A chemical solution is then applied to help break the disulfide bonds in your hair, allowing it to take on a new shape.
The result is gorgeous, bouncy curls or soft waves that can enhance your overall look.
What Are Highlights?
Highlights involve coloring sections of hair lighter than your base color to create dimension and contrast. Unlike a full dye, highlights add brightness and can be subtle or bold, depending on the technique used. There are various ways to achieve highlights:
- Foil Highlights: Applying color between sections of hair using foils.
- Balayage: Hand-painting color onto the hair for a sun-kissed, natural look.
- Ombré: A gradient effect where your hair gradually transitions from dark to light.
Each method can add texture and depth to your hairstyle, creating an appealing visual flow.
The Importance Of Hair Health
When contemplating a perm and highlights, one of the most critical factors is the health of your hair. Both treatments can be damaging, particularly when used together without proper care. Here are some factors to consider:
Assessing Your Hair’s Condition
Before committing to either treatment, consult with a professional hairstylist to assess your hair’s condition. They will evaluate its strength, elasticity, and overall health. If your hair is damaged or brittle, your stylist may recommend waiting or employing specific treatments, such as deep conditioning, to restore moisture and resilience.
Potential Damage Factors
Both perms and highlights can strip moisture and essential proteins from your hair. Therefore, understanding how each treatment impacts your hair is crucial:
- Chemical Processing: Both perms and highlights use chemicals, which can lead to dryness or damage.
- Heat Exposure: Many highlighting techniques involve the use of heat, which can further weaken hair if combined with a perm that has already altered its structure.
Choosing The Right Order: Perms First Or Highlights First?
Now that you’re aware of the basics of each treatment and the need to prioritize hair health, let’s explore which should come first—perms or highlights.
Getting A Perm First
If you wish to enhance your hair with bouncy curls or waves, starting with a perm can be a great decision. Here’s why:
- Volume and Body: A perm can give your hair additional volume, making it fuller and easier to work with when adding highlights later.
- Color Retention: When you perm first, your color—when applied later—will often hold better due to the texture changes, allowing highlights to pop against your newly permed curls.
- Timing for Colors: If you choose to perm first, you can then wait a couple of weeks before applying highlights, giving your hair time to recover slightly after the perm treatment.
Getting Highlights First
On the other hand, starting with highlights may also be advantageous, especially if you’re looking to maintain specific color tones. Here are some reasons to consider highlights first:
- Timing with Color: If you’re looking for low-maintenance upkeep, getting highlights first allows you to see how the color reflects against your natural curl shape when you eventually perm your hair.
- Softening the Aftermath: Allowing your stylist to apply highlights to your hair first can break up the harshness of a strong perm later on, enabling softer transitions from your base color to highlights.
- Less Immediate Damage: Beginning with highlights can be slightly less damaging for some hair types, especially if the perm solution has harsher effects on porous hair from previous treatments.
Factors To Consider When Deciding
The decision of whether to perm or highlight first truly depends not just on your hair’s condition but on your individual goals and styling needs. Here are some additional factors to think about:
Your Hair Type
Different hair types respond differently to perms and highlights. For example, if you have fine hair, you might find that perms can weigh your hair down. Conversely, thicker hair often holds waves and colors well. A consultation with a professional stylist can help determine what method best suits your specific hair type.
Desired Styles
Your aesthetic preferences matter too! If you’re eager to flaunt beach waves paired with sun-kissed highlights, timing becomes crucial. Understanding how both styles contrast can help guide your decision.
Styling Needs
Consider your daily styling routine. If you prefer to spend minimal time styling your hair, a perm first may extend styling options and allow for a wash-and-go approach, while multi-dimensional highlights provide versatility.
The Care After Treatments
Regardless of the order you choose, caring for your newly styled hair is paramount to maintain its health and vibrancy.
Post-Perm Care
After getting a perm, follow these care tips:
- Wait 48 Hours: Allow your hair to rest for at least 48 hours before washing it to ensure curls set properly.
- Use Sulfate-Free Products: Products formulated without sulfates can help maintain moisture without stripping the perm.
- Deep Condition Regularly: Treat your hair with a deep conditioning mask weekly for added moisture.
Post-Highlight Care
Once you’ve added highlights, key care routines include:
- Illuminating Shampoo: Use shampoos specifically formulated for color-treated hair to prolong brightness.
- Avoid Heat Styling: Limit the use of heat-styling tools as much as possible and always apply heat protectant when you do.
- Regular Touch-Ups: Schedule follow-up appointments for touch-ups to maintain the vibrancy of your highlights.
Conclusion: Making The Right Choice For You
Deciding whether to get a perm or highlights first is a subjective choice that ultimately depends on your hair type, desired look, and individual styling needs. Whether you choose to start with a perm or highlights, ensuring that both your hair health and aesthetic goals are prioritized will yield the best results. Consulting with a professional stylist can provide valuable insights tailored to your unique hair and your vision for your overall style.
In the end, whether it’s bouncing curls with striking golden highlights or soft waves infused with contrasting tones, creating the perfect hair combination that resonates with your identity is what truly matters. Remember, your hair is your canvas—choose wisely for a masterpiece that seems effortlessly chic and fabulous!
What Is The Primary Difference Between Perms And Highlights?
Perms, or permanent waves, involve a chemical process that alters the structure of the hair to create curls or waves. This process changes the internal bonds of the hair, resulting in a long-lasting texture change that can last for several months. On the other hand, highlights involve lightening select strands of hair to add dimension and contrast, which affects only the color of the hair and not its texture.
The two techniques serve distinct purposes: perms provide volume and curly texture, while highlights enhance color. Depending on the desired outcome, one may be more suitable than the other based on individual hair type and the look the person wishes to achieve.
Can You Get A Perm And Highlights At The Same Time?
While it is technically possible to get a perm and highlights during the same salon visit, it is often not advisable. Both processes involve chemical treatments that can potentially weaken the hair. Combining them could lead to more damage, especially if the hair is not in optimal condition before treatments. Therefore, many professionals recommend staggering the treatments to minimize the risk of breakage.
If you decide to pursue both, it’s essential to discuss the timing with your stylist. They may recommend getting highlights first to assess the hair’s condition before adding a perm, or suggest waiting a sufficient amount of time between the two treatments to allow your hair to recuperate.
Which Should Come First: Perms Or Highlights?
The general consensus among hairstylists is that highlights should come before perms. This approach allows for a clear and more accurate color placement and minimizes the risk of over-processing the hair. When highlights are applied first, any chemical reactions from the perm won’t compromise the integrity of the color that has been added.
However, if your hair is already extensively treated with color, it’s wise to obtain the advice of your stylist. They might suggest doing a strand test or using specific techniques to ensure the safety and desired outcome for the client’s hair.
How Do You Maintain Hair Health When Getting Perms And Highlights?
Maintaining hair health after undergoing perms and highlights is crucial, as both treatments can be taxing on hair. It is vital to use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners designed for chemically treated hair. These products help retain moisture and prevent dryness, keeping your hair healthy and vibrant. Regular deep conditioning treatments can also provide extra hydration and nourishment.
Additionally, scheduling regular trims can help minimize any potential damage from the treatments. Using heat protectants before styling can further protect the hair from heat damage, and avoiding excessive heat styling will aid in keeping the hair in good condition after these processes.
How Often Can I Get Perms And Highlights?
The frequency of getting perms and highlights largely depends on individual hair growth and condition, as well as the specific techniques used. In general, highlights may require touch-ups every 6 to 8 weeks as new hair growth becomes noticeable. Depending on your hair texture and how quickly it grows, this timeframe might vary.
Perms, however, typically last about 3 to 6 months before the curls start to relax or hair grows out. It’s important to wait before repeating a perm to give your hair a chance to recover from the chemical processing. Consulting with your stylist can help determine the best schedule for your specific hair needs.
What Should I Expect During A Perm Or Highlight Appointment?
During a perm appointment, you can expect a thorough consultation where your stylist will assess your hair’s texture, health, and history with chemical treatments. The process involves applying a chemical solution, wrapping your hair around curlers or rods, and then neutralizing the curls for a long-lasting effect. The entire procedure can take several hours, and timing will depend on the length and thickness of your hair.
For highlights, a stylist will also begin with a consultation to discuss the desired look and color placement. The process involves sectioning the hair and applying a lightening agent, followed by a processing time to ensure the color develops adequately. After rinsing out the dye, you may have a toner applied to achieve the desired shade. This appointment may also take a few hours, depending on the extent of the highlights.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Getting Perms And Highlights?
Yes, there are risks associated with both perms and highlights, as both treatments involve chemicals. Over-processing can lead to hair becoming dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Allergies or sensitivities to any of the products used can cause scalp irritation or allergic reactions, so it’s essential to conduct a patch test if you have sensitivity to hair products.
Moreover, improperly applied techniques or insufficient care can exacerbate hair damage. It’s crucial to seek a professional stylist with experience in chemical treatments. They can assess the health of your hair and make appropriate recommendations for achieving your desired style while minimizing potential risks. Regular follow-ups with your stylist can help monitor the condition of your hair after the treatments.