Get All Access for $5/mo

'I Felt Like an Alien': This Digital Hair Technique Can Semi-Permanently Alter Your Hair Structure The digital perm offers a way for those with straight-hair to completely change their hair texture.

By Emily Rella

Twitter via Buzzfeed

As technology advances, people are willing to try any new gimmick to get the hair of their dreams, from new styling tools to chemical treatments to coloring techniques.

Enter the Korean Digital Perm, a treatment that uses digitized heat technology to curl the hair in a semi-permanent matter to create natural-looking waves and loose curls. It's an alternative to a traditional perm (also called a "cold perm") which uses chemicals and plastic rods to create tighter curls without using any sort of heat during the process.

One Buzzfeed employee decided to try out the technique in a video that's now garnered over 11,200 likes.

"I've had very straight hair all my life and while I love it, I really wanted to see what its like going curly for awhile," she tells viewers before entering the salon.

The process is relatively simple. First, her hair is washed and trimmed before a solution is spread through the hair containing chemicals that break the natural bond in her strands, allowing for the hair to be molded into a different shape or form.

The hair is then saran wrapped and put under a dryer before it is given a "bend test" to make sure it can hold a curl before it is put into rollers by the root. Paper is then put down in sections of hair which is then rolled up in rods and covered by more paper which is meant to protect the hair from the impending heat.

Then, the brain experiment-looking machine is rolled out, connecting dozens of wires to each rod.

"I felt like an alien in one of those old sci-fi movies," the brave experimentee says.

After the machine is finished doing its job, the hair is rebonded to set the curl and then washed and left to dry.

These perms are popular for their low maintenance requirements, as most recipients will wash their hair and let it air dry without the need to style it.

It's important to note the distinction that the style of the perm shown in the video (loose, natural-looking waves) is considered to be a Korean Perm while the technique of using the machine is called a digital perm, thus making this a Korean Digital Perm.

According to Salon Suites Palm Beach, the treatment can cost anywhere from $40 to $200.

They are expected to last over 3 months.

Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Growing a Business

How Visionary Leaders Transform Curiosity Into Groundbreaking Ideas

Lee Brian Schrager, founder of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, discusses the spark that launched FoodieCon, his best practices for running popular food events, and why all business owners need to adapt to social media trends.

Business News

Homeowners in These 10 States Pay the Most in 'Hidden' Upkeep Costs

Hidden home costs pile on top of mortgage payments.

Data & Recovery

Get $60 off This Portable VPN Travel Router

Why keep paying for a VPN service when you can have a tiny, lightweight piece of hardware that can provide you with a lifetime of maximum VPN protection?

Money & Finance

Avoid These 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make with Money

Despite the challenging statistic that only 5% of startups survive beyond five years, common financial pitfalls often contribute to their failure. Through personal observation, I've identified the prevalent financial mistakes made by entrepreneurs.

Growing a Business

5 Books to Help You Motivate, Unify and Build Perspective

In a post-Covid world, check out these must-read books to help build a more resilient organization, create a modern work culture and maintain a powerful growth mindset.