Thinking About Stopping Perms? How a Haircut Alone Can Create Volume and Movement

I think there are generally two types of people who get perms.

The first group enjoys perms as a fashion choice or as part of current trends.

The second group wants things like:

• “More volume at the top”
• “More movement in the hair”
• “Less flat-looking hair”

and gets a perm for those reasons.

Of course, neither approach is wrong.

However, if you fall into the second group, it may be worth asking yourself whether a perm is really necessary.

In many cases, a haircut alone can achieve the result you are looking for.

You May Not Want a Perm — You May Want Volume and Movement

During consultations, clients often tell me:

“I’d like to get a perm.”

But when we talk in more detail, what they often mean is:

• “The top of my hair falls flat.”
• “I’d like more shape around the back of my head.”
• “I want my hair to look fuller.”
• “I want styling to be easier.”

In other words, what they really want is not necessarily a perm itself, but volume, movement, and easier-to-manage hair.

That’s when I start thinking about the haircut first.

Longer hair carries more weight, while shorter hair is lighter.

By creating slightly shorter sections in the areas where volume is needed, it is possible to create natural lift, shape, and movement.

For example:

• If you want more height on top, add layers to the crown area.
• If you want more fullness at the back, create a graduated shape through the occipital area.
• If you want movement around the sides, build softness and roundness into the design.

These are technical haircutting techniques, but by creating the right differences in length where they are needed, it is possible to create dimension without a perm.

This idea doesn’t apply only to short hair.

The same principle works for medium-length and long hair as well.

A Different Way to Think About Giving Up Perms

Perms certainly have their advantages.

They can make styling easier in the morning and create a completely different texture and appearance.

At the same time, they can also involve:

Regular maintenance,
Additional time and expense,
And concerns about the condition of the hair.

If you’ve been thinking:

“I’d actually like to stop getting perms.”

then it may be worth seeing how much can be achieved through haircutting alone.

Layers and graduation can be used to create natural lift and movement throughout the hair.

The ends can also be designed to appear softer rather than heavy and solid.

As a result, a small amount of wax, oil, or styling cream may be enough to create natural movement.

Of course, if you’re looking for large waves in long hair or curls similar to those created with a curling iron, a perm may still be the best option.

However, if your goal is simply:

More volume on top.

More fullness at the back.

A softer, fuller appearance overall.

Then a haircut alone may be able to achieve what you’re looking for.

That’s why I always start by understanding what my clients truly want.

Do they want a perm?

Or do they want the effect that a perm provides?

That difference is very important.

In many consultations, clients realize:

“I thought I wanted a perm, but what I really wanted was more volume on top.”

“I only wanted more movement when styling, and a haircut alone gave me that.”

Situations like these are not uncommon.

Using chemical services is not always the right answer.

If a perm is the best solution, I will recommend one.

If it isn’t necessary, I will suggest ways to create volume and movement through haircutting alone.

I believe the most important thing is finding a solution that works naturally and sustainably for each individual.