Men’s Perms Unleashed: A Unique Guide, FAQs, and 2025 Hairstyles

You will hardly surprise anyone nowadays with perm men hair. In recent years, hairstyles for men have witnessed a remarkable transformation. From traditional cuts to bold and daring styles, there has been a surge in creativity and experimentation. One such trend that has gained popularity is the male perm. Once associated primarily with women, the male perm has now become a fashionable choice for men seeking a unique and eye-catching hairstyle. In this article, we will delve into the world of male perms, exploring what they are, how they are achieved, and the reasons behind their growing popularity.

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Understanding The Male Perm

A male perm, short for “permanent,” is a chemical treatment used to alter the structure of hair, creating lasting waves or curls. Unlike the tight curls commonly associated with women’s perms, male perms tend to result in more relaxed and natural-looking waves or loose curls. This mens hairstyle offers a distinct and effortlessly stylish appearance that can enhance a man’s overall look and individuality.

The Process:

The process of getting a male perm involves several steps. Firstly, the hair is washed to remove any product buildup and prepare it for treatment. Then, a perming solution is applied to the hair, which softens the hair shaft and makes it more pliable. The hair is then wrapped around perm rods of varying sizes, depending on the desired curl pattern. After leaving the solution on for a specific amount of time, a neutralizer is applied to stop the chemical process and stabilize the newly formed curls. Finally, the hair is rinsed, conditioned, and styled to reveal the transformed look.

Styles and Variations:

Male perms offer a range of styling possibilities. Depending on personal preference and hair length, individuals can choose from loose beach waves, defined curls, or even a combination of both. The versatility of male perms allows for tailored looks that complement various face shapes and hair types. Moreover, the perm can be combined with other haircuts or techniques, such as fades, undercuts, or highlights, to create a truly unique and personalized style statement.

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Reasons for Popularity:

The increasing popularity of man’s perm can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, they provide a fresh alternative to traditional hairstyles, enabling individuals to break free from conformity and express their individuality. The versatility of male perms also appeals to those seeking a low-maintenance yet fashionable look. Unlike other hairstyles that require extensive daily styling, perm for men offers a ready-to-go style with minimal effort. Additionally, the rise of social media and the influence of celebrities and bloggers have contributed to the trend, as more men are exposed to different grooming possibilities and are inspired to try new styles.

Maintenance and Care:

Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity and health of a male perm. It is recommended to use hair products specifically designed for permed or curly hair, such as shampoos, conditioners, and styling creams. Regular trims are also necessary to prevent split ends and maintain the shape of the curls. Additionally, protecting the hair from excessive heat styling and harsh chemicals is crucial to prevent damage.

Types of Men Perms

When it comes to perm for men, there are several types and variations to choose from, depending on the desired look and personal preference. Here are some of the popular types of men’s perms:

Hot And Cold Perm: Perming Techniques And Key Factors To The Outcome

The hot perm implies using an acidic solution on your locks and heating them afterward so that disulfide bonds break. You will be able to give your strands any shape you want, including curly and wavy. In the cold perm, you break disulfide bonds using an alkaline solution that contains ammonium thioglycolate. After you are done with changing your hair’s protein structure, you apply a neutralizer solution to normalize the pH balance and restore the bonds in your hair.

Of course, the technique is not the only thing that makes these two perms different. The cold perm requires a bit more maintenance from you compared to the hot perm with the identical curl level, but it causes less damage to your locks. Yet, the hot perm does not lift the roots as much as the cold one due to the temperature limitations. However, you can get your roots lifted by resorting to rooted perm if you like.

There are several aspects that contribute to the result you will get with your man perm. They are as follows:

• What chemical solution to apply.

If you have coarse and strong locks, then it is better to turn to an alkaline solution. Thin hair guys should opt for an acidic one.

• How to wrap the hair.

If you are aiming at taut curls of the same size, go for small rods. The way you actually wrap the hair is also very important how. So, the endpapers you use affect directly how loose or tight the ends of the curls are going to be.

Fancy Perm Men Designations

Beach Wave Perm:

The beach wave perm is a relaxed and natural-looking style that mimics the effortless waves achieved after spending a day at the beach. It creates loose, tousled waves that add texture and volume to the hair, giving it a casual and laid-back appearance.

Spiral Perm:

Spiral perms are renowned for their ability to produce bouncy curls that gracefully coil around the hair, forming an elegant design. This hairstyle is particularly favored by guys seeking a distinct and striking appearance. Spiral perms work well on medium to long hair lengths.

Body Wave Perm:

The body wave perm technique is employed to enhance the hair’s volume, texture, and introduce soft, natural-looking waves. This perm method effectively augments the thickness of the hair, resulting in an overall improved appearance. Its versatility allows for customization, enabling individuals to achieve varying levels of wave and curl based on their desired outcome.

Multi-Textured Perm:

A multi-textured perm involves the fusion of various curl or wave patterns to craft a distinctive and personalized appearance. This technique enables the blending of loose waves, tight curls, or a combination of straight and curly sections, leading to a hairstyle that is uniquely tailored and visually captivating.

Spot Perm:

A spot perm focuses on perming specific sections of the hair rather than the entire head. It is ideal for adding texture, volume, or curl to particular areas, such as the crown, bangs, or ends. Spot perms offer a subtle way to incorporate curls into a hairstyle without committing to a full perm.

Best Perm Men Hairstyles

Now that you know what perm and how to get wavy hair, it is time to overview the best perm hairstyles.

Fringe With Perm

Basically, all curly hairstyles work with mens perm. So, if you want to keep the focus straightly on your top, a fringe is one of the best options.

Curly Faux Hawk

Those who think that for a faux hawk you should necessarily have straight locks have not tried to sport it curly. Not only does it look as prominent and edgy but it is also pretty easy to style, as your hair is much more eager to hold the shape.

Source: @andrewdoeshair via Instagram

Wavy Perm Men

One of the coolest things about man perm hairstyles is that you can play around with the curl pattern. If you want to add just a bit of texture to your locks, opt for wavy hair men.

Source: @andrewdoeshair via Instagram

Modern Male Perm Undercut Fade

To give the hairstyle a modern feel, complement your perm with fade on the back and sides. For ultimate contrast and boldness, opt for an undercut fade haircut. Not only will it make your hair appear more intense and prominent, but it will also ease the maintenance.

Source: @spukthebarber via Instagram

Brushed Back Bleached Curls

Guys who choose to stand out in the crowd should take a closer look at bleached mens perms. As they already come out quite striking and pronounced, there is no need for intricate styling. Simply brush your curls back and you are good to go.

Source: @dexterdapper via Instagram

Tight Curls Perm

However, if you have decided to venture out for a tight perms men hairstyle, go for it! You can rest assured that your hair look will not go unnoticed.

Source: @nickthebarber via Instagram

Highlights Bald Fade

In case you are not ready to commit to all out bleached perms for guys, highlights are your way out. In addition to creating a multidimensional and defined hair look, they also help you to take your curls to the center of attention.

Source: @spukthebarber via Instagram

Korean Perm Men

Because Korean hair is naturally straight, you sometimes may want to give it a bit of texture and that is when a perm hair guys style comes into play. You do not have to go for an overly tight perm men hairstyle though. Just enhance it with a subtle curve and you are good to go with your Korean perm men.

Source: @dexterdapper via Instagram

Long Hair With Perm Men

A perm does not always mean tight curls. It also allows you to create relaxed waves hair men styles. This is an especially preferred option for gents with long tresses, as it does not sacrifice their length.

Source: @coiffeurstory via Instagram

Jelly Roll Hair

To pull off the jelly roll hairstyle trending nowadays, your hair should be curly or at least wavy. If it is straight naturally, then you can get away by getting short perms on top. Once your hair texture is prepped, apply a generous amount of a hair product and style the hair to your liking.

Source: @joth_davies via Instagram

Undercut Perm

With undercut perm styles men get quite a lot of benefits. On one hand, you keep the focus on your curls without taking much effort and on the other hand, it makes your hair much easier to maintain and style. Do not forget to touch up the haircut regularly though to keep it fresh.

Source: @andrewdoeshair via Instagram

Comb Over Perm Hairstyle

If you have always considered a comb over a hairstyle for straight hair men, we are here to prove you wrong. A curly perm will redefine this classic hairstyle and give it a trendy touch.

Source: @erichagberg via Instagram

Perm Men With A Mid Fade

A fade haircut is a surefire way to take your perm men hair to the center stage. By going for a higher and lower fade, you can adjust the level of boldness of your perm haircut.

Source: @dexterdapper via Instagram

Permed Mullet

With wavy perm men can give any haircut an intricate twist and a mullet is no exception. The top and back featuring perms on guys easily attract attention and make you stand out in the crowd. For added emphasis, apply a bit of a texturizing product to your permed mullet.

Short  Textured Perm Fade

A fade haircut allows you to go for as prominent hairstyle on top as you like. As it incorporates short hair on the sides, the top becomes the focal point of the look. This makes a permed hair men fade a perfect option for guys who choose to be in the spotlight.

Loose Perm

If you are not ready to commit to tight curls yet, then you should take a closer look at a loose perm men style. Its main attraction is in its relaxed and effortless flair, which we are almost sure you will love to the core.

Source: @hank_ge via Instagram

Permed Man Bun

It is a known fact that some hairstyles are literally made for mens wavy hair and a man bun is no exception. Yet, if your hair texture is far from curly or wavy, a perm will help you out.

Source: @hank_ge via Instagram

Volume Perm

If you are still questioning yourself, should I get a perm male hairstyle, then this look will surely convince you. Men with perm appear more attractive and stylish. Besides, this voluminous perm will disguise your thinning hair should you be dealing with it.

Source: @smattyconrad via Instagram

Shoulder Length Permed Hair

There is something really enchanting in wavy hair guys. Though, if you were born with dark straight tresses, you can still channel this look. Just get your mane longer and permed and you are guaranteed to rake in the compliments.

Permed Pompadour

Give your pompadour a modern take by getting a loose curl perm on top. It will add a fashionable and effortless vibe to your look as well as allow you to save time on styling.

Source: @the_bloody_butcher via Instagram

Short Hair With Perm Men

One of the best things about perm styles is that they are not limited in terms of length. So, even if you have pretty short haircuts for men, you will still end up with a sharp and defined look.

Source: @shefer_andrew via Instagram

Caesar Cut With Perm Men

Perms for short hair are as amazing as for long one and a Caesar cut proves it with ease. Traditionally, you would get a textured cut on top for this look. But a perm creates an even more pronounced and defined appearance.

Source: @andrewdoeshair via Instagram

Perms Boys

Perm on guys looks cool and appropriate no matter their age. Boys permed hair has a playful and carefree vibe. So, if your kid is asking for a perm boy hairstyle, you should not say no to him. What is more, you can experiment with the hair length, as perms on guys work perfectly for both short and long locks.

Slicked Back Perm Men

For some guys with perms, simply pushing their hair back is more than enough. For a more sophisticated and elegant appearance, you can even slick your tresses back.

Source: @mattyconrad via Instagram

Wet Curls

While it may seem that it is impossible to make perm hair more noticeable, defining it with a side part makes a world of difference. In addition to giving your tresses separation and outline, it will also help to restore balance in your face proportions.

Bowl Cut Perm

You will be pleased by the fact of how differently a bowl cut looks when permed. First of all, it creates an impression of an abundant mane. Thus, it is a perfect option for guys with thin hair. Second of all, it makes you look eye-catching and charming hairstyle.

Middle Part With Perm Men

There is hardly a better way to pull off a middle part hairstyle than getting a perm. While it keeps the hair away from the center of your face, thus revealing your masculine facial features, it shows off your hair texture.

Perm Men With Disconnected Undercut

Get your perm to the highest level of boldness by complementing it with an undercut. As it takes off the hair from the sides and back, a prominent top becomes the focal point of the whole look.

Source: @r.braid via Instagram

Medium Length Perm Men

Although perm haircuts come in all lengths, there is something special about a mid length perm men hair look. It allows you to show off your newly gained hair texture, while not requiring as much maintenance as the long mane.

Curly Perm Crop Top Fade

An undercut perm allows you to take the intricate top to the center stage. Besides, it requires less styling than a full head perm, thus being pretty low maintenance.

How To Style And Care

When choosing the best way to get perm hair men should take into consideration their natural hair texture. Curly guy hair allows you to get a mens perm pretty easily, as it initially has the required texture. Nevertheless, you can enhance the curls by applying chemicals. Straight and even wavy hair men will want to resort to thermal and chemical procedures and then wrap their strands around perm rods.

Perm men hair is your go-to option if you have naturally straight tresses and want to try on something different. As you can tell, there are plenty of ways to get it as well as a myriad of permed hairstyles to choose from. We hope that our guide has helped you to decide on your next hairstyle.

What’s Different About Modern Perms?

The main difference between the modern perm and the traditional one is that nowadays hairstylists take different approaches to creating wavy or curly hairstyles for men. Instead of old-style perm rods made of plastic, they employ any tools they can come up with, from fabric to rollers or even own fingers. Thanks to this creative approach, you get various curl types: waves, coils, ringlets etc.

Do Modern Perms Cause Hair Damage?

You have probably heard many times that perming hair makes it damaged, weak and brittle. While it is true to some point, this is not necessarily the case. When done unprofessionally, hair perm can really bring very negative consequences to your mane’s health. Also, when your hair is already chemically treated, for instance, dyed or bleached, perming it may be tricky. Thus, you should keep in mind all these factors and several others, which is why it is better to entrust this task to a pro.

How Long Does A Perm Men Last?

When pondering should I get a perm or not, it is important to take every detail into account. And what should not be overlooked is how long does a perm last. The lifespan of a perm for men largely depends on their hair length. Short permed hair usually lasts around 3-4 months, depending on how often you cut it. For those who prefer to wear longer locks, a male perm may endure around 6-8 months. Even when your tresses grow out, you still get a dashing hairstyle with straight roots and wavy or curly ends.

How Should You Style And Care For A Perm?

Obviously, permed hair requires special care. So, if you want it to look healthy and last longer, your hair care products should be specially designed for men perm. Look for those that will make your locks more hydrated, elastic and flexible.

As for styling, you should really take it easy on it. Ideally, to make the most of their perm men should simply allow their tresses to dry almost completely and employ a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment to give the curls definition and bounce. If you feel like using heating tools, such as a curling wand or hair straightener, remember to keep them at a low temperature, not higher than 300ºF.

FAQs: Perm For Men

REFERENCES:

• A permanent hairstyle is a hairstyle consisting of styles set into the hair. Source
• Long, short, blond, brunette, wavy, or straight — we have the latest on how to get the haircut, hair color, and hairstyles you want for the season! Source