Whether you were keen on giving yourself a makeover or were just plain lazy with regards to styling your hair, you’ve taken the plunge and ended up with a Korean perm that oozes with versatility and style. Although Korean permed hairstyle for men in Singapore is nothing new, maintaining this new look can definitely be daunting for permed hair newbies! Here are some essential tips and tricks to ensure your locks stay curled and managed.
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Essential tips to maintain your Korean perm at home for men
1. Don’t immediately wet your hair
As tempting as it might be to wash your hair in the days after getting your perm, doing so can strip the chemicals and natural oils present! Not immediately washing your hair is important for maintaining Korean perm for men, which requires you to pay extra attention within the first few days.
For starters, upon leaving the salon, hairdressers often recommend that you protect your hair from water for 48 hours to allow the curls to settle in. Also, make sure you avoid contact with chlorinated water — that means no swimming! Chlorine can dehydrate your hair by seeping into hair cuticles and prevent it from regaining its natural moisture.
2. Using the right shampoo for permed hair
After the first 48 hours, you’ll need to get rid of the accumulated grease and oil. Korean perm for men may cause hair to become dry and brittle – after all, it’s been heavily doused in various chemicals to help with the curling process. Unfortunately, your permed hair won’t survive washes with regular shampoos. To resolve this, use gentler shampoos that easily remove dirt from your hair without stripping away the natural oils.
Here are some perm-friendly shampoos to keep an eye out for! HASK Curl Care Moisturising Shampoo (available on HASK Singapore Official) is supercharged with ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, and Vitamin E to help cleanse, define and hydrate your hair’s curls. Alternatively, consider the Pantene Pro-V Shampoo
(available on P&G Official Store). The colour and perm lasting care variation target the restoration aspect as a new protective layer is generated around every strand of hair. This can work wonders if your hair is badly damaged by the chemical treatment!
3. Learning to use conditioners
Besides using gentle shampoos, you’ll also need to invest in quality conditioners to complete the two-step hair washing loop! Far from being an unnecessary accessory, conditioners help to increase overall hair protection, reduce frizz and moisturise individual strands.
Check out Grafen’s Cica Care Treatment (available on GRAFEN.kr) and Pura D’or Gold Label Deep Moisturising Anti-thinning Conditioner (available on Japalang Official Store)! Both conditioners counter the moisture stripping aspect of most shampoos and focus on moisturising the hair so it’s able to stay elastic and radiant. In fact, the Pura D’or conditioner can even help to promote thicker and fuller hair growth to prevent breakage! Moreover, natural ingredients help protect the hair from exposure to parabens and silicone found in many shampoos. These conditioners guarantee you won’t have to worry about overall hair health, even after going for multiple sessions for Korean perm for men!
4. Avoid combing or towel-rubbing permed hair
You might naturally consider towel-rubbing and using a comb to detangle your wet hair. This is a sure-fire way to ruin your perm as the hair cuticles will be damaged and your hair can get frizzy from the friction. Trust the good ol’ air-drying method instead! It avoids ruining the perm’s curls and gets your hair dry without applied heat from any hairdryer. If you must speed up the air-drying process, switch to a microfibre towel (available on Jean Perry Official Store.SG) and use the blot and squeeze technique to dry your hair. Compared to regular bath towels, microfibre towels have a texture that’s comparable to silk. These fine fibres thus allow you to dry your permed hair without damaging them the way bath towels can.
5. Using diffuser attachments with your hairdryer
Tired of waiting for your permed hair to naturally air dry? For guys with lengthier or thicker hair, consider investing in a diffuser nozzle instead! Diffuser attachments like this Laifen Swift Diffuser Nozzle (available on Laifen Official Store) are specifically designed to evenly spread airflow from hairdryers. With hot air being dispersed over a larger area as compared to a concentrated area, there’s less risk of hair frizz. This allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds as your hair dries faster without getting damaged by the extra heat.
Types of Korean perm hairstyles for men in Singapore
But wait! Before you take a leap of faith and give yourself a new head of curls, get acquainted with the types of Korean perm hairstyles that are suitable for men in Singapore. This really depends on the type and length of your hair, and how tight you want your curls to be. Of course, when getting a Korean perm for men, you should also account for the humidity of Singapore’s weather. Not moisturising it well might lead to frizzing, which would really ruin the look of your curls. Here’s some of the most popular Korean perm hairstyles for men in Singapore:
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As or S Perm
The As Perm or ‘S’ Perm is just as its name suggests – it creates short curtain bangs that frame the face, in a shape reminiscent of the letter ‘S’. Unlike the Parting Perm, the As Perm doesn’t expose as much of the forehead. This creates a more casual and summer-friendly look. Did you know that it’s also been dubbed the “boyfriend perm” in South Korea? It’s also suited for any hair type. This is one of the best perm hairstyles for men who want to impress the ladies in Singapore!
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Parting Perm
This perm became a big hit after Korean actor, Gong Yoo was spotted with it in the 2016 drama, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. In fact, as he went on to promote the series on various red carpets, the Parting Perm quickly became popular for its dashing and polished look! This wavy, parted hairstyle has also been worn by heartthrobs like Thai actor Bright Vachirawit. However, this Korean perm for men requires longer locks, which might feel warmer and uncomfortable in Singapore.
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Shadow Perm
If you’re looking for something that looks subtle but still textured, try the Shadow Perm. At first glance, they appear to be extremely natural. However, this Korean perm hairstyle actually comes in layers of soft curls, which is great for men in Singapore who want to be more lowkey with their makeover. Moreover, the Shadow perm is great for people who have thin hair or less hair density, as it can help create more volume!
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Perm with undercut
Want to look both effortless and edgy at the same time? The perm and undercut combo is here to bring you the best of both worlds! It’s a Korean perm hairstyle for men who want to give off a tousled and casual look, while looking polished and neat at the same time. The juxtaposition of these two styles give off a unique vibe that helps you stand out from the crowd! However, with how textured it is, there’s a risk that our humid weather might ruin the definition of your curls. In fact, men with thin or fine hair should think twice before trying this. Your locks might not be able to hold the curls for long!
Making the most of your Korean perm for men
Congratulations, you’re now equipped with the knowledge of making Korean perm for men last! Now that you’ve successfully tried a new hairstyle, why not upgrade your wardrobe style too? Dress to impress with these guides on old money summer-style outfits and how to style oversized shirts! Build your #OOTD while being financially-savvy; snag amazing promotional deals on fashion items during our 12.12 Birthday Sale!
This article was updated on 29 September 2023. Additional research done by Foo Pei Shi.
