What is difference between Digital, Regular & Iron Perm?

Here at Salon By Yoo located at the heart of Honolulu, Hawai’i in the PanAm Building near Ala Moana Center, Perms have become one of the most popular services.

We offer a variety of perm services from Regular Perm, Iron Perm & Digital Perm for both men & women.

Any Perm service is perfect for someone who has straight hair but wants to add volume & texture with curls or waves.

The big question is… What is the difference between these perms & which one is right for you?

Digital Perm got its name from the digital device that is used to regulate the temperature to heat up the rods that are placed into the hair.

This is ideal for usually women (or those with mid-length to long hair lengths) who prefer softer, natural waves that almost every K-pop celebrities seem to have.

We apply the solution that ranges from mild to strong depending on hair type, texture & resistance then rolled into rods of varying sizes depending on the look that is trying to be achieved, which then are plugged in & heated up with the digital perm machine. This allows us to mold the hair into its new shape.

The curls can last up to a year but varies by person. It is very popular & the newest updated technique from South Korea & Japan so not a lot of stylists & salons specialize or are familiar with it. 

Iron Perm is another perm technique that uses heat but instead of rolling into rods, we use a device that looks like a mini curling iron to create very subtle waves & subtle volume at the roots. More popular amongst men than women.

Regular Perm is more ideal for men & women who want more volume & tighter curls since the rods can be rolled up to the roots to create maximum lift/volume.

It’s appropriate & most popular for those with very short hair such as men’s hair hence why we even call it “Men’s Perm.”

The solution for a regular perm is stronger than what we usually use for digital perms so it can be more damaging to your hair.

This service typically lasts from 3-6 months & is done on healthy hair.

Bottom line is… There isn’t a perm service that is better than the other but more so depends on the look you’re going for.

If you want looser, subtle, natural waves & have mid-length to long hair try out digital perm.

If you’re looking for more volume & tighter curls/waves & have shorter hair try out regular perm or men’s perm.

Or, if you’re not sure, we always do a consultation prior to starting a service to determine what will work best for you based on what your desired outcome & hair type is.

Just remember, we don’t recommend anyone who has bleach in their hair to do any type of perming services because it can fry your hair & if you have any inspiration pictures, bring them in!