What is Alkaline Perm?
Alkaline Perm is also called cold Perm because no heat is involved in this process. Alkaline pearl is most suitable for thick and coarse hair rather than thin hair types.
The Alkaline Perm technique was introduced in the year 1938, as there was seen the use of different chemicals in the cosmetic industry. It can be seen that an Alkaline Perm can make hair stronger and flawless without the use of external heat.
In the Alkaline Perm process, the main ingredient used is ammonium thioglycolate and the pH level is between 8.2 to 9.6, this action can be damaging to have as the strong chemicals are used which can cause hair breakage, frizziness, etc.
To activate the chemical, it only takes about 20 minutes to set the hair and treat it. It has a strong odor due to the presence of ammonia and it is recommended mostly for thick and coarse hairs.
The alkaline Perm process involves wrapping the hair with a wand after curling it with certain chemicals. The result obtained from the Alkaline Perm technique is always intense curls or perfect stick curls.
The Alkaline Perm technique can be hair damaging and can be harmful to your hair and it shouldn’t be done on regular basis. It can lead to hair fall and new roots of hair growth can be damaged as harmful chemicals are used in this process.
What is Acid Perm?
Acid Perm is also called a warm wave. Acid Perm was first introduced in the year 1970. Heat is required in the Acid Perm method and takes a long time to set your hairs using this method, particularly for hairstyling.
Acidic Perms use a pH between 4.5 and 7.0, then wrap the hair around the wand after applying chemicals and external heat, which provides soft, flawless curls.
The main active pharmaceutical ingredient used in Acid Perm is monothioglycolate. Since the ingredients used are alkaline It is considered a gentle and less damage-causing process for your hairs.
Acid Perm can also be harmful and shouldn’t be done bi-monthly this process can hair damage in the form of hair fall, hair breakage and sometimes it can cause certain types of hair allergic reactions.
Difference Between Alkaline and Acid Perm
- The main ingredient used in the Alkaline Perm process is ammonium thioglycolate, whereas The main pharmaceutical ingredient used in Acid Perm is monothioglycolate.
- In Alkaline Perm It takes about 20 minutes to set and process to occur. On the other hand, Styling hair takes much longer than an alkaline perm process.
- No heat is required in the Alkaline Perm process whereas Heat is required in the Acid Perm process to curl your hairs.
- Alkaline Perm is also referred to as cold Perm because there is no heat during this process, instead, acid perms are called warm waves because the process requires heat.
- Alkaline Perm makes use of PH levels between 8.2 to 9.6 and causes damage to your Hairs whereas, Acid Perm makes use of PH levels between 4.5 to 7.0 and is considered gentle less damaging as compared to Alkaline Perm.
Comparison Between Alkaline and Acid Perm
| Parameters Of Comparison | Alkaline Perm | Acid Perm |
| Ingredient Used | The main ingredient used in the Alkaline Perm process is ammonium thioglycolate. | The main ingredient used in the Acid Perm process is monothioglycolate. |
| PH Balance | Alkaline Perm makes the use of PH levels between 8.2 to 9.6. | Acid Perm makes use of PH levels between 4.5 to 7.0. |
| Heat Requirement | No heat is required in the Alkaline Perm process. | Heat is required in the Acid Perm process to curl your hair. |
| Time Required | It takes about 20 minutes to set and process to occur. | Styling hair takes longer and takes much longer than an alkaline perm process. |
| Effects On Hairs | Alkaline Perm can damage your Hair. | Acid Perm is considered gentle less damaging as compared to Alkaline Perm. |