Partial Perm

What the service involves

The process follows the standard perm method, but is sectioned to target only the areas you want to change.

• Hair is cleansed and sectioned, with only the chosen zone wrapped around perm rods
• A waving lotion is applied to reshape the hair's internal bonds, followed by a neutraliser to set the new pattern
• Rod size determines the result: larger rods give looser waves, smaller rods create tighter curls
• Common placements include the crown or top for lift, or the bottom half and ends for soft waves with more relaxed roots

At Timba, senior stylist Hannah James can talk through rod placement and sizing during your consultation to match the result to your hair and haircut.

Who it suits

Partial perms work well for a range of hair lengths and goals.

• Suits short to medium hair looking to boost volume at the crown or top
• Popular with men who have faded or tapered sides and want more texture on top
• A good option if you want to blend new growth with previously permed lengths
• Better suited to healthy hair; very fragile, over-bleached, or heavily processed hair may need a gentler approach or an alternative texture service

Aftercare and what to expect

Aftercare is similar to a full perm, though maintenance is generally more forgiving since only part of the head is treated.

• Avoid shampooing for 48 to 72 hours after your appointment to let the curl pattern fully set
• Minimise brushing or combing in the first 48 hours
• Use gentle, hydrating, perm-safe products to reduce dryness and maintain definition
• If heat styling, use a diffuser with low to medium heat and a heat protectant
• Results typically last several weeks to a few months, loosening gradually as hair grows and is washed

Because only selected sections are treated, touch-ups can focus on specific areas like the roots or crown rather than a full re-perm, making grow-out easier to manage between visits to Timba in Cardiff.