Alpha Permanent Wave Procedure

This traditional permanent wave application creates a natural, even-looking curl.

Sectioning/blocking:

-Section the hair while it is still wet. Create a section down the middle of the head from the front hairline to the nape by taking equal amounts of hair from either side of a center part. The section should be slightly narrower than 

the length of the perm rod you will use.

-Start at the front hairline. Spray the section with water, if needed. Using the tail of a plastic tail comb, take a horizontal blocking that is the diameter of the rod you are using.

-Comb the hair from the scalp through the ends so it is smooth and you create even tension. Comb both the top and the under-side of the blocking. 

-Evenly spread the hair between the index and middle fingers of your subordinate hand. Do not converge the ends.

Wrapping:

-Place the first end paper at themidlengths, at the front of the blocking, which is the side away from you. 

-Still holding the hair and the end paper, place another paper on the underside of the hair.

-Secure the end papers with theindex and middle finger of your dominant hand and slide the end papers just past the ends of the hair.

-Pick up a rod (without letting go of the comb) with the fastener on the side of your dominant hand.

-Place the rod on the side close to you at the top of the end paper.Roll the hair on the rod. Maintain even tension and a 90 degree elevation. Keep the hair evenly distributed on the rod. This helps assure the hair will absorb an even amount of solution. Secure the fastener across the top of the rod. 

-Repeat this procedure for the next blocking, directly behind the first. Comb both the top and the underside of the blocking. Take care not to converge the ends. You may alternate rod sizes or wrap with the same rod size through out. The size of the blocking will be the diameter of the rod you are using.

-Apply a series of rods in this manner, working toward the crown. Place two picks for every two rods. To avoid tension on the hair, slide the picks under the fasteners at the outer edge of the rod.