A perm, short for “permanent wave,” is a hairstyling process that involves chemically altering the structure of the hair to create curls or waves that last for an extended period, typically several months.
During a perm, hair is first treated with a chemical solution to break the hair’s natural bonds and then reshaped around rods or curlers.
Once the desired curl pattern is achieved, a neutralizing solution is applied to set the new shape. Perms can vary in intensity, from loose waves to tight curls, and they have been a popular hairstyling technique for achieving textured and curly hair.