If you’re thinking of transforming your look with a Korean perm, there’s one question you’ll probably ask before booking your appointment: “How much is it going to cost?”
Perms are premium, long-term hair treatments that are sometimes difficult to get right. While there are companies that sell “home perm” options, most true beauty experts will never recommend them. A great perm relies on professional expertise combined with high quality, salon-grade perming solutions.
You’ve probably seen plenty of perm horror stories online from people who have burned their scalps, damaged their hair, or ended up with a serious mess after trying a perm at home.
Since expertise is particularly crucial for a Korean perm, you will need to pay a little extra for a perm specialist’s time. However, the exact price you’ll pay can vary. Here’s everything you need to know about how much a Korean perm costs in Toronto.
How Much is a Korean Perm? Perm Pricing by Process
Let’s start with the basics, a Korean perm isn’t just one type of perm. It’s essentially an approach to perming that focuses on high levels of customization and natural-looking results. Korean stylists use a range of unique techniques to restructure the shape of your hair into perfect curls or waves. In some cases, they might even use perms to straighten your hair, or add volume to your roots.
The first thing that will affect the price of your Korean perm is the process your stylist uses. Typically, you’ll have two options to choose from:
Cold Perms
Cold perms, or traditional perms, rely exclusively on chemical solutions to restructure your hair. There’s no need for any heat to be applied (like in a digital perm). Korean cold perms are essentially a variation of the classic perming technique. Unlike standard cold perms, Korean stylists are more effective at creating subtler curls and waves with this strategy.
The price of a cold perm can vary drastically, but it usually starts at around $100 for both women and men, and the price is adapted based on your hair length, and specific style needs.
Digital Perms (or Hot Perms)
Hot perms, otherwise known as digital perms, are ideal for creating loose, natural-looking waves and curls. They involve using chemicals and heat to restyle your hair into a specific shape, and often create results that last a lot longer than traditional perms (6 months or more).
Because they’re longer-lasting, more customizable, and involve the use of a special machine, they usually cost more than a standard “cold perm”. The price for a digital perm usually starts at around $200-$250.
How Much is a Korean Perm? Pricing by Style Type
Beyond the perming process that your stylist uses, another factor that affects Korean perm pricing is the style you’re looking for. For instance, if you want a classic Korean perm that creates gentle waves and curls in your hair with a C-curl, S-Curl, or “Wave” option, you’re likely to spend somewhere in the region of $250 or more.
Again, pricing here will vary depending on the perming process (as well as some other factors that we’ll cover in a moment). Outside of the curly or wavy perm, you can also explore:
- Specialist perms: Such as the Korean down perm, which relaxes stubborn hair, and minimizes volume around the roots, to make your style more manageable. The price of a down perm will usually start at around $90-$100.
- Root perms: Volumizing Korean root perms add lift and bounce to your roots, but don’t change the structure of the rest of your hair. They’re a type of “partial” perm, which makes them a little cheaper than full perms. Usually, these perms start at around $100.
- Bangs perms: Focused exclusively on the bangs or “fringe” of your hair, a bangs perm gives you perfectly styled, bouncy bangs that frame your face. Again, these partial perms are often a little cheaper, starting at around $50 to $60.
- Straightening perms: The straightening perm, or “magic” perm, eliminates frizz, and transforms curly or wavy hair into a perfectly sleek style. These perms are more complicated and time-consuming, which means they’re often more expensive than other perms. The average price for a straightening perm ranges from $200-$300.
Other Factors That Affect Price
One of the reasons why it’s so hard to find a concrete answer to the question: “How much is a Korean perm?” is that they’re such versatile treatments. A Korean perm is customized to you, and it’s not just the process and style of perm you choose that can affect the pricing.
Other factors come into play too, such as:
The Salon and Stylists
We always recommend choosing a reputable salon with experienced hairstylists when you’re getting a perm. A salon with a good reputation and an extensive history in Korean perms is more likely to deliver the results you’re looking for. However, salons with a better reputation generally do charge a little more than their counterparts.
Additionally, if a salon has highly experienced stylists who specialize in perms, they may charge a little more for their time and expertise too. Some stylists even have their own dedicated price lists, based on their expertise, so keep this in mind when you’re shopping around.
Your Hair
The condition and length of your hair before you get your perm will make a difference in pricing too. One of the reasons perms for men are often cheaper than perms for women, is that shorter hair doesn’t require salons to use as much perming solution. Plus, short hair takes less time to perm too.
If your hair is longer, or extremely thick, it will usually require more time and perming product, leading to higher costs for the salon, and a higher price for you. Think of it like getting your hair coloured, the more dye your stylist needs to use, and the more time they spend on your hair, the more you’re going to pay.
Additional Services
A Korean perm is a major hair service on its own. However, a lot of people do prefer to book their perming treatment alongside another service, such as a haircut. Getting your hair cut together with your perm ensures you end up with a completely transformative hair style.
Most hair salons will offer bundle pricing for a perm combined with a haircut. For instance, at PERFECT X HAIR we offer special prices for digital, cold, and straightening perms when combined with a cut. However, some salons will ask you to pay for both services separately. Notably, there may be other services you want to get before a perm too.
For instance, if your hair is a little damaged or dry, you might choose to get a moisturizing or repairing treatment a few weeks before your perming appointment, which comes with an extra price.
How Much is a Korean Perm? Calculating the Cost
The best way to determine exactly how much you’re going to pay for a Korean perm is to ask your salon or hairstylist. If you can show your stylist an inspiration photo of the style you’re trying to achieve, they can assess your current hair, and give you a customized price.
The price will usually depend on:
- The salon location
- The stylist’s expertise
- The perming process
- The perm style
- The length and thickness of your hair
- Any additional treatments or services
While it might be tempting to try and shop around and save some money, remember that you do often get what you pay for when it comes to hair services.
It’s often better to spend a little more money to get a perm from a salon you know you can trust, rather than trying to save money and risk damaging your hair. In a best-case scenario, cutting corners on costs could mean you don’t end up with the exact results you were hoping for.
In the worst-case scenario, you could end up with hair breakage, scalp damage, and extra fees to pay to get a professional to fix the damage that the previous perm has done.
Is a Korean Perm Worth It?
A Korean perm from a reputable hair salon can be a little more expensive than a standard perm, but it’s definitely worth the cost. Think of it as an investment in revitalizing your hair, and upgrading your confidence. A perm isn’t just a basic haircut, it’s a transformation.
Plus, since Korean perms can often last longer than other types of hair services, you can enjoy your new look for months to come. You might even end up spending less money on styling products too.
If you’re ready for a brand-new look, and you’re willing to spend a little more of your beauty budget, a Korean perm is well worth considering.
Here at PERFECT X HAIR, we offer perm options to suit every hair goal and budget. Contact us today to learn more about our Korean perm services.
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