I miss the days when perms actually lasted longer

I started doing hair back in 2009 in a small shop in Portland, and I swear perms back then held their shape for a good 6 months before they started dropping. Now with all these gentler solutions and newer techniques, I'm lucky if a perm lasts 3 months on most clients. The change really hit me around 2015 when the big brands started pushing those low-ammonia formulas. They smell better and are way easier on the hair, but the trade off is definitely less hold time. I've had three clients this month come back for touch ups way sooner than they used to. Is anyone else seeing this with their clients, or is it just the water in my area?

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patricia3853mo ago

Is it really the formulas though or is it just that we're all using different techniques now? I've been doing hair since 2005 and my perms still hold for 6-8 months because I wrap tighter and use a neutralizer that actually fits the hair type. Low ammonia stuff works fine if you adjust your processing time and don't rush the wrap. Those 2015 formulas are gentler but they're not the problem if you know what you're doing. Maybe the water in Portland is harder than it used to be.

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rayc833mo ago

Honestly, I see it a bit different. Even with perfect technique, the newer low ammonia formulas just don't have the same lasting power as the old ones, especially on resistant hair. It's not just about wrapping or water, the chemistry itself changed.

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