Japanese Digital Perm Ultimate Guide

If you love the hairstyle of your favorite k-drama actresses, then you should consider the Japanese digital perm! For many people, digital perms are an easy way to navigate life without worrying about the upkeep of your hair. If you constantly struggle with styling and maintaining your mane, a Japanese digital perm might be the solution.

The digital perm technique has gained major attention recently, and for a good reason. The perming solutions are considered gentle on the hair, thereby less damaging. So if you wish to gain more hair volume, minus the damage, then a digital perm is the right pick for you.

With Japanese digital perms, you can obtain bouncy curls or waves; these curls are usually loose, resembling natural waves. You can choose how much of your hair to perm. However, perming uses heat, so try not to get curls too close to the scalp.

When thinking about a new hairstyle procedure, it is always a good idea to do your research to know exactly what you are getting into and, most of all, look for experienced professionals. Learn everything you need to know about the popular Japanese digital perm and get ready to make heads turn with your new hair.

Products Reviewed In This Article

Japanese Digital Perm Explained

A digital perm is a new technique of creating a shiny and bouncy wave to your hair, utilizing hot rods with the temperature regulated by a machine with a digital display, hence the name.

The process is otherwise similar to that of a traditional perm. The name “digital perm” is trademarked by a Japanese company. Hairstylists usually call it a “hot perm.”

Digital perms involve a heat and chemical treatment that changes the chemical makeup of your hair. It is activated by heat to break down the molecules of your hair and rebuild them to mimic the shape of the rods.

Essentially, your stylist will treat your hair with chemicals that restructure each strand. Then, he/she will use hot rods to curl sections of hair.

Japanese Digital Perm Main Benefits

  • In general, digital perms will give you fuller and more natural-looking curls than other perms out there.
  • Digital perm creates very soft, large curls that are more defined when dry. It is not used close to the scalp, so the crown of your hair remains mostly intact.
  • What makes the Japanese digital perm different from the other types of digital perms is the fact that they create less hair damage because of the low temperatures they use during the perming process.
  • It is a perm technique used worldwide to make the hair have distinct and well-defined curls, altering how the hair looks completely.

Japanese Digital Perm Steps

Step 1 Cutting of hair

If these hair strands aren’t cut or trimmed, it will affect the appearance of this digital perm. The major reason it is essential to cut the hair is to create exceptional curls or waves.

Japanese Digital Perm: Woman getting her hair cut before her Japanese digital perm
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Step 2 Application of a Solvent

Some hairs are damaged or bleached already. The application of a solvent helps to generate curls on bleached hair, but it won’t last long compared to unbleached hair.

Therefore, it is advisable if chemicals have damaged your hair, you need to restore it to virgin hair.

Japanese Digital Perm: Woman getting her hair prepped before a digital Japanese perm
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Step 3 Scalp Protection: Davines NOUNOU Hair Mask

The scalp must be protected during the heat perm application to avoid damage.

Protecting the hair with some protective creams is important due to the hot heated bar used in digital perm.

We recommend using Davines NOUNOU Hair Mask. Intensively soothes, restores, and smooths damaged hair.

Nourishing NOUNOU/hair mask provides intense repair for highly-processed hair. Fiaschetto tomato extract hydrates, soften, and deeply soothes damaged hair and scalp.

Fiaschetto tomatoPin

Apply to towel-dried hair after using NOUNOU/shampoo. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, comb through, then rinse.

Japanese Digital Perm: Woman at the salon during her heat perm application
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Step 4 Hair Counterbalancing: Salon Digital Hair Perm Machine Ceramic

After the hair has been digitally permed with hot heated rods or bars, the hair should remain idle for 48 hours to maintain the texture of the new hair. This counterbalance of the hair allows it last long.

Hair professionals need to invest in a Digital Hair Perm Machine. These are equipped with various different sizes of ironing rods, which can be used to create different waves and make fabulous, lasting, and professional curls work.

The perm lines are connected firmly and conveniently, and the design meets the national safety standard. The operating panel can adjust the time and temperature of hair perming, you can choose according to your hair quality.

It comes with an LCD display and microcomputer control, creating a customizable styling experience while avoiding unnecessary heat damage.

Japanese Digital Perm: Woman at the salon with heated rods on her hair
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Step 5 Dry Hair

The hair should always be dried to preserve the digital perm and makes it last longer. If the hair is wet, it should be dried up immediately so as not to damage the wave or curl on the hair.

Japanese Digital Perm: Woman at the salon during finishing touches of her hot perm process 
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Japanese Digital Perm Additional Tips

  • Different things should be applied to the hair, such as shampoo, conditioner, and anti-frizz therapy to the wet hair.
  • When the hair is fully dried, the digital perm can be brushed using the thumb with the application of a curly spray activator.

Common Questions About The Japanese Digital Perm

How long does a Japanese digital perm last?

Digital Perm’s curls itself last six months to a year.

Can a Japanese digital perm damage hair?

For Digital Perm, it is possible to “minimize” the damage by adjusting the heat temperature and concentration of the solutions. However, it is inevitable to cause some damage due to the additional heat process. Learn about the types of damage your hair can have.

Who should get the Japanese digital perm?

Digital Perm originated from Asia, where many people have coarse, thick hair – so it works better than cold perm for those types of hair, even if you have tried cold perm before and curls got loosened quickly.

What is the difference between digital or hot perm and traditional or cold perm?

  • A traditional perm is called a cold perm, which shows curls/waves most when hair is wet. With cold perm, it creates curls/waves using a liquid type of perming solution.
  • Curls would look more prominent when hair is wet, so using styling products to keep the hair wet is a must to show the curls.
  • Digital Perm is a perm that completely changes your hair’s structure using a cream type of solution and directly adds heat to the hair.
  • Unlike the traditional cold perm, which uses a liquid type of solution with indirect heat, the Digital perm involves a professional machine to heat the rods and then convey them to the hair. This process enables digitally permed hair to last longer.

How do I prepare my hair for a digital perm?

Healthy and elastic hair is a good candidate for a digital perm. To prepare your tresses for curls, try to avoid heat-styling or any other heat or chemical treatments before the procedure. Use a deep conditioner regularly to strengthen your hair.

Which perm lasts the longest?

While a classic or spiral perm will give you results that last six months or longer, other types of perms are more short-lived. Partial perms and wavy perms (body wave and beach wave) last the shortest amount of time.

How to care for and style hair after getting a digital perm?

  • Apply oil or hydration cream after washing and towel-drying your hair.
  • Dry your hair, as explained above.
  • Once your hair is dry, apply the same oil or cream as needed. If you want prominent curls, apply soft wax or an out bath treatment cream. Moose is also recommended for beach waves.

Are there any downsides to the Japanese digital perm?

  • The digital perm is also tailored towards those with straight hair who want curls rather than those with thicker and more textured hair to begin with.
  • Understand that the structure of your hair will change after perming, so you should adopt a new hair care routine for wavy and curly rather than straight hair.
  • Since perming makes hair dry and curly hair is naturally more prone to dryness, you will have to learn strategies to moisturize your locks and fight the frizz.
  • The process takes around 3-5 hours, and it’s pretty expensive.

How To Do A Japanese Digital Perm Video Tutorial

In case you are wondering how exactly the Japanese digital perm is done, the video below will instruct you on the exact steps and tools, tips, and tricks professional stylists ought to do to achieve the best results possible.

Products Mentioned In This Article

  1. Davines NOUNOU Hair Mask
  2. Salon Digital Hair Perm Machine Ceramic

Disclosure: The Hair Products recommended in this article are our top favorites because they have a great combination of quality, features, and affordability. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the links as a way to support this site. If you buy a qualifying product, you’re not charged anything extra, but I’ll get a small commission to help pay for my expenses. I hope you find our advice helpful and discover the Best Hair Products for your needs on this list.

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Author
After graduating from an apprenticeship program in 2010, color specialist Doris began working behind the chair. She started with color corrections and then moved on to creative color. Currently, she works with blonding and grey-blending clients. Sarah views hair color as both an art form and a science and is passionate about salon education, which is the main reason why she started this blog. She has the Invisible Bead Extension Certification and the Bellami Master Certification for extensions.
Photo of author
Author
After graduating from an apprenticeship program in 2010, color specialist Doris began working behind the chair. She started with color corrections and then moved on to creative color. Currently, she works with blonding and grey-blending clients. Sarah views hair color as both an art form and a science and is passionate about salon education, which is the main reason why she started this blog. She has the Invisible Bead Extension Certification and the Bellami Master Certification for extensions.