Perms are back in the salon. Or did they ever really leave? Today’s perms are expected to feel more modern, versatile and wearable. Alongside curls, clients are looking for root lift, movement and hair that is easier to style every day.
Choose the perming method that suits the way you like to work. Do you prefer more control over the process, or a clear and consistent method you can rely on time after time?
Perming is the right mix of chemistry and technique
A perm permanently changes the structure of the hair. During the treatment, the disulfide bonds inside the hair are broken, the hair is shaped around rods and the new form is then locked in place during neutralization.
The chemical process takes place inside the hair, while the mechanical process determines the final shape. That is why product selection, wrapping technique, processing time, rinsing, neutralization and home care all need to work together.
Four Reasons Shape and Four Reasons Multiwave are both professional tools for perming services, but the way they are used is different. Shape gives the hairdresser more control through liquid mixing, flexible processing times and curl testing. Multiwave follows a clear 10-minute processing time without the need to check a test curl.
Multiwave: the gentle option
Four Reasons Multiwave is a fragrance-free, vegan and gentle perming treatment formulated without thioglycolate or ammonia. It is especially suitable for a more sensitive scalp.
Being thioglycolate-free means that the disulfide bonds are broken using a gentler reducing process, so the bonds are not opened as aggressively. The ammonia-free formula makes the treatment more comfortable for both the client and the hairdresser.
As the pH does not rise as strongly, the outer protective layer of the hair opens more gradually and the scalp is less likely to become irritated. The treatment also has a much milder smell.
Different Multiwave perming lotions can be used on separate areas during the same treatment, depending on the condition of the hair. Highlighted, porous or differently processed sections may require different strengths.
Choose Multiwave when you want a gentle perming treatment, the scalp is sensitive or irritated, or the hair is processed, lightened or porous and you want to keep the chemical stress as low as possible.
Multiwave follows a precise processing time and is completed with the Keratin Hardener after-treatment. It helps extend the life of the perm, neutralizes chemical residue in the hair and restores its natural balance.
Shape: the adjustable option
Four Reasons Shape is an adjustable perming lotion suitable for all types of curl treatments. It gives the professional more control throughout the service.
The three different strengths can be mixed together before application according to the structure and condition of the hair. Processing time and curl development are then monitored with a test curl as the treatment progresses.
The result is an even, resilient and healthy-looking curl. Plant-based proteins help support the curl structure, while the lightly fragranced vegan formula makes Shape a versatile choice for a wide range of salon perming services.
Choose Shape when you want more flexibility for different hair types and conditions.
Key questions for the consultation
A successful perm starts with a thorough hair analysis. The condition, history, structure, porosity and thickness of the hair, together with the client’s wishes, determine which treatment will deliver the best result.
During the consultation, it is important to discuss both the desired look and what is realistically possible. What is the client’s hair like now? What treatments has it had before? What kind of curl are they hoping for? How much time are they willing to spend styling it at home?
Many of the wavy or curly reference images clients bring in may have been created with a styling iron, blow-drying or plenty of finishing products. That is why it is important to explain what a perm can achieve on that particular hair and what the final result will require from the haircut, home care and styling routine.
