The kids are alright, they just want bigger hair.
Its supposed to make his hair curly and fluffy, apparently; all his friends have hair like that.
There have been a lot of requests for it, says NYC hairstylist and perm expertDamian Santiago.
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I do perms every day, and it’s not uncommon to do several guys a week now.
What Is a Boy Perm?
Whats unique to a boy perm is theres typically less hair being curled.
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I did a guy the other day and put 12 to 15 rods in, explains Santiago.
Basically, its a quick wash, then the hair gets wrapped in perm rods.
Why Are Teens Getting Boy Perms?
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Of course, boy perms are not new.
I was in high school in 1984 and had a perm in my graduation photo, Gallagher recalls.
For Gallagher, perms are synonymous with boyhood.
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Boys have so much hair, explains Gallagher.
Cultural references play into the current boy-perm trend, too.
Gallagher linksboy perms to Timothee Chalamet.
Many K-pop stars have perms (the chemical service is hugely popular across Japan and Korea).
Moms on TikTok credit influencerDillion Lathamas their son’s hair inspo.
Athletes, like Spanish and European soccer players, serve as perm-influences, too.
Many teens are looking at this kid because he’s a global sensation.
I know my son is.
Theres also the herd mentality factor with teen boys.
Teenagers, they’re in school and they’re in a group, says Gallagher.
One person will go to a hairdresser and then they’ll all go.
That’s how kids are at that age, your group is very follow-the-leader.
How Much Does a Boy Perm Costand Who’s Paying?
The cost of a boy perm is $150 on the low end.
With men, a short perm could be $150.
And thats before the haircut.
One less thing to worry about, explains Santiago.
A good haircut, great texture, and there you go.
Shorter hair does require frequent perming, though.
I have an assistant who has a perm, says Berardi.
When it’s fresh, it’s tight, but weeks later it loosens up.
Most of Santiagos boy-perm clients are in every few months.
Its typically six to eight weeks or eight to 12, depending on the guy, Santiago says.
I had a mom call me on the phone the other day, says Santiago.
She asked if I was the perm guy.
She said, I’m going to send my sons over.
They came in, we did perms, and she paid.
He loves his cologne but its gotten so expensive$111!
Is Getting a Boy Perm a Good Idea?
A perm is not for everyoneits why Santiago requires consultation with potential clients before agreeing to perm their hair.
The haircut is an important factor, too.
The cut has to be right, says Berardi.
It has to be at a length where the hair stays voluminous.
Seeing a hairdresser who understands your vision is helpful.
Sometimes people don’t realize that their own texture is actually quite curly and nice, explains Santiago.
Sometimes the hair is too long to [appreciate] the natural curl.
For styling, Santiago recommends a cocktail of salt spray and mousse.
If you combine salt spray and mousse, you’re going to get pretty big hair, he laughs.
The service is more cost-effective, too.
I might charge $100 for that, says Santiago.
To get a curl of a small diameter, you’re going to need a tiny iron.
Even for good hairdressers, that requires skill.Setting your hair on rollers?
If your average lacrosse player can do that, God bless ‘em.
Hutnak says that her son entrusted his 24-year-old sister to give him mock perm for prom this past spring.
She used hot rollers and a curling iron (her own) and started the process at 11am.
But I thought it looked really, really good.
Whats clear is that teen boys are investing time and money into their hair.
I love watching these guys ask questions about their hair, says Berardi.
There’s this classic masculine thing where boys aren’t supposed to care about how they look.
That’s just not the case now.
Gallagher agrees that the tone has shifted.
It’s okay to be showy and enjoy your hair.
*Name has been changed.
