Whether you’re a natural hair newbie or just looking to switch up your styling game, perm rods are about to become your new best friend. Today, we’ll walk you through these magical little tools and how they can help you gain fabulous, defined curls.
What Are Perm Rods?
Perm rods are cylindrical styling tools to create curls and waves in your hair. Unlike traditional rollers, perm rods have a long, thin shape and snap-on closure to keep your hair in place. They’re versatile, easy to use, and can create various curl patterns, depending on their size and how you use them.
Now, Let’s Break Down the Different Perm Rod Sizes
Perm rods come in a variety of sizes to create different curl patterns. They’re often colour-coded to guide you in achieving your desired look. Let’s break down the different perm rod sizes and what they can do for your hair:
Small Perm Rods
- 5mm: Since it’s the smallest, it’s perfect for creating extremely tight, corkscrew curls. It’s ideal for curls for short hair or achieving a highly defined, kinky curl pattern.
- 9mm: Often in orange, a 9mm perm rod is great for producing tight curl results, such as beautiful spiral curls on medium to long hair lengths.
- 11mm: It is a versatile perm rod size (usually in blue) that works well for small, tight curls on hair of any length, depending on the desired curl intensity.
- 13mm: Popularly known as the grey perm rod, a 13mm or half-inch perm rod helps create tight, bouncy curls that are slightly looser than the smaller sizes.
Medium Perm Rods
- 14mm: Usually in white colour, this perm rod size delivers firm, springy curls for any hair length. Expect tighter curls than what you’d get from large rods but looser than small rods.
- 16mm: The 16mm perm rod size is ideal for creating medium-tight curls with a bit more body and movement.
Large Perm Rods
- 17mm: This size produces voluminous curls that work well on any hair length. You will usually see it in sand colour.
- 19mm: Pick this size to create medium-tight curls on long and medium-length hair. You can also use it to achieve an excellent body wave on short hair.
Jumbo Perm Rods
- 27mm: Excellent for creating bouncy, beachy curls in medium to long hair, this perm rod size is often green in colour. It can also add body and movement to shorter hairstyles.
- 32mm: Usually in black, these larger rods can create curls only in long hair. Sporting medium-length hair? You can use it to add body and subtle waves.
- 35mm: Too large for short hair, these red rods are perfect for adding body and loose waves to medium to long hair.
- 38mm: Often in brown, the largest curl rod size is primarily used to add body and very loose waves to long hair.
Tips for Choosing the Right Perm Rod Size
When choosing perm rod sizes, consider your hair length, texture, and the type of curl you want to achieve. Here’s the rule of thumb: the smaller the rod, the tighter the curl. So, stick to larger rods if you aim to produce looser waves. You can also mix different rod sizes throughout your hair to find the ideal look for your hair.
Also, note that the number of perm rods you need depends on your hair length and the desired curl tightness. For instance, achieving tight curls on long hair might require up to 50 small-sized rods, while you might only need 20 large rods to create loose waves on your long locks.
Perm Rods vs. Flexi Rods: What’s the Difference?
Now that we’ve tackled perm rod sizes, it’s time to learn whether you’re buying or using the right product. After all, it’s easy to confuse perm rods with flexi rods. Here’s the thing: while both create curls, perm rods and flexi rods have some differences:
- Perm rods are rigid, while flexi rods are bendable.
- Perm rods typically create more uniform curls.
- Flexi rods can be shaped into different patterns for varied curl styles.
- Perm rods are often more comfortable to sleep in.
The Undeniable Benefits of Perm Rods
When you get the right perm rod size and are absolutely sure it’s a perm rod, not a flexi rod, you will reap the following benefits:
1. Heat-Free Styling
While they’re often great, heat-styling tools (like curling wands) can cause moisture loss, split ends, breakage and weakened hair structure if used excessively. So, one of the most significant advantages of perm rods is that they offer a heat-free way to achieve beautiful curls. They are particularly beneficial for those with already fragile or damaged hair. Simply put, with perm rods, you can style your hair without risking it for too much heat damage or further compromising hair health.
2. Versatility in Curl Patterns
As discussed, perm rods come in various sizes to produce different curl patterns. That means you can achieve multiple looks with just one styling tool. Mix and match rod sizes for a more natural, varied curl pattern, or use uniform sizes for a more polished look.
3. Long-Lasting Results
Perm rod sets typically last longer than other curling methods. When done correctly, a perm rod set can last three to seven days, depending on your hair type and how well you maintain the style. This longevity is due to:
- The shape of the rod, which allows for a tighter curl formation
- The drying process, which sets the curl pattern more firmly
- The lack of heat, which means the curl is formed more naturally and is less likely to drop quickly
If you have a busy lifestyle, this long-lasting nature of perm rods means less daily styling time and the ability to maintain a polished look throughout the week.
4. Promotes Hair Health
Regular use of perm rods can help improve the overall health of your hair:
- Encourages moisture retention: As you typically apply a leave-in conditioner or setting lotion before rolling, your hair is infused with moisture as it dries.
- Reduces manipulation: Once set, the style requires minimal daily manipulation, reducing the risk of hair breakage from over-handling.
- Stretches hair: If you have curly or coily hair, perm rods can help stretch your hair, reducing tangling and making it easier to manage between washes.
5. Cost-Effective
Compared to other styling methods, perm rods are incredibly cost-effective. It’s usually a one-time purchase since a set of perm rods can last for years with proper care. You’ll likely use fewer styling products over time as the set lasts several days. Plus, if you master perm rod sets at home, you don’t have to go to the salon for styling often; imagine all the money you can save from that alone.
How to Use Perm Rods: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Begin with Your Hair Down
Start with your hair down and divide your strands into manageable sections. Aim to have six to eight sections, depending on your hair length and thickness. Then, use a leave-in conditioner to help with moisture retention and curl definition. You can also use your go-to curl cream or setting lotion while preparing your hair for rolling.
What’s the best time to style your hair using perm rods? It’s at nighttime. Perm rods typically require eight to ten hours. So, do it at night, wrap your head with a silk scarf while you sleep, take off the rods when you wake up, and enjoy bouncy curls the rest of the day or week.
2. Roll Your Hair Using Perm Rods
Grab a perm rod and begin rolling small sections of your hair. Wrap the chosen sections around the perm rod, working your way up from the ends of your hair to the roots, before securing the rod shut. Keep rolling and work your way through all your hair.
The way you roll your hair onto the perm rod can greatly impact the results, so here are some tips to help you ace this step:
- Anchor the hair: Use your index finger to hold the end of your hair against the rod. This creates tension and ensures a smooth wrap. If your ends are particularly stubborn, you can use setting lotion to help them stay in place.
- Use the flat wrapping technique: As you roll the rod up towards your scalp, focus on keeping the hair flat against the rod. Avoid twisting the hair or allowing it to overlap unevenly. Each rotation should lay next to the previous one, not on top of it. With this flat wrapping technique, you can create smooth, frizz-free curls.
- Maintain tension: As you continue to roll, maintain consistent tension on the hair. It should be firm enough to create a defined curl but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable or puts stress on your scalp. Finding the right balance takes practice, but it’s essential for achieving long-lasting, bouncy curls.
- Secure the rod properly: When you reach the scalp, hold the rod in place with one hand while you secure it with the other. The snap closure should be positioned so that it doesn’t create a crease in your hair. If you can’t reach the closure, adjust the rod’s position slightly to make it more accessible.
3. Maintain Your Perm Rod Set
After rolling all the sections, tie a headwrap, satin bonnet or silk scarf around your hair. It helps keep the perm rods in place as you sleep. Also, the silk scarf particularly helps ensure your curls are smooth and frizz-free.
4. Remove the Rods Carefully
After waking up, unwind each rod gently. Make sure not to pull! You can separate curls gently with your fingers to boost their volume. You can also apply a small amount of serum to reduce frizz & add shine and then style your hair as desired using curl enhancers and other styling products and tools.
5. Refresh Curls and Extend the Style
You can mist your curls lightly with water and leave-in conditioner mix to refresh your curls. Use a light curl cream to define frizzy sections and dry shampoo at the roots to absorb excess oil. Also, avoid touching your hair excessively during the day to maintain the style. Don’t hesitate to reroll problematic sections at night if needed.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—your comprehensive beginner’s guide to perm rods! Keep in mind that practice makes perfect. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t flawless. Keep doing it—you’ll rock gorgeous, defined curls in no time.
