Perm - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT perm /pərm/ /pəm/ IPA guide

Other forms: permed; perms; perming

A perm is a chemical treatment that curls your hair. Get a perm today and you'll still have curly hair next month!

The word perm is shorthand for permanent wave. The earliest versions of perms were used on wigs, since the chemicals were too harsh for the human scalp. As the technique progressed, it briefly included electric heat and spools for winding the hair. Today's perms use chemicals and curlers — and nearly identical chemicals are used to straighten or relax curly hair. While perms were extremely popular in the 1980s, you don't see many people with perms today.

Definitions of perm

noun a series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and chemicals synonyms: permanent, permanent wave see moresee less type of: wave a hairdo that creates undulations in the hair
verb give a permanent wave to “She perms her hair” see moresee less type of: wave set waves in

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