Long-PERM results with Oligo!

Hey Gorgies!

Did you ever think that perms would make such a comeback in the last few years?!

Particularly popular in the 70’s and 80’s, but with a slight modernisation, perms are popular again, and we’re here for it!

Did you know...chemical waving and texturising solutions are deeply rooted in Oligo's history?

We thought it was a great opportunity to take a trip down memory lane and remind ourselves of the history behind where it all started! So, let’s take it back to where it all began...

Oligo’s Timeline:

1986

Oligo was founded 40 years ago by Moty and Liliane Cohen, in the heart of Montréal, Canada.

For the first 2 decades, Oligo was primarily a research and development lab supplying high-end hair care products to cosmetic companies around the world.

Throughout this process, they perfected the art of product development and discovered the best ingredients in the world!

Perms were the company's foundation, and recognising a gap in the market for safer, salon-exclusive treatments, the family launched the Oligo Professionnel brand in 2002.

The brand has built a distinct legacy in the curl and texture space, maintaining salon-exclusive perms engineered with uniquely low pH ranges to protect hair integrity and ensure natural-looking results.

Now

Today, the second-generation, family-owned business (run by the Cohen brothers: Ilan, Raphy, and Ronen) offers a wide range of perms tailored for different hair types.

But that’s not all!

Building upon their extensive foundation with perms, Oligo Professionnel has continuously expanded their science-backed product lines into hair colouring, which are now distributed globally and loved by stylists all over the world!

Oligo offers professional, Ammonia-free, and Thio-free perms designed to create soft, bouncy, natural-looking curls. Their formulas prioritise hair health using low alkalinity levels and specific technology to protect the hair bonds during the chemical process.

The brand has maintained a major focus on texture, offering a diverse portfolio to date.

So...What is a perm actually doing?!

Permanent Curls Science:

Permanent waving uses chemicals to break and reform the hair's disulphide bonds, creating a new curl pattern. The hair is washed, wrapped around perm rods (which determine curl tightness), and treated with an alkaline waving lotion. This lotion raises the cuticle and breaks the disulphide bonds that shape the natural wave. After processing, the lotion is rinsed out, and a neutraliser is applied to reform the disulphide bonds and set the curl. The neutralising stage is the most potentially damaging and must be monitored closely. Once the neutraliser sets, the rods are removed, the hair is rinsed again, and it can be styled as desired.

Why would I perm?!

When a client with Straight Hair Needs More Body:

If you have straight hair and want to add more volume or movement, a perm can give natural-looking waves or curls. This can make the hair appear fuller and more textured.

When your Curly-Haired Clients are Seeking Manageability:

On the flip side, if you have very curly hair, a perm can help control the texture and shape of the curls, making them more manageable or giving them a more defined and uniform look.

If you want to Add Volume & Thickness to your client’s hair:

A perm can create the appearance of thicker hair by adding volume at the roots and throughout the strands. This can be especially beneficial for people with fine or thin hair.

Your clients wants the Illusion of More Hair:

In some cases, a perm can enhance the look of density by making hair appear fuller and more abundant, even if the actual hair volume hasn't changed. The added wave or curl creates the illusion of more hair.

For Versatility in Styling for clients with busy lifestyles:

Permed hair offers greater styling options, allowing you to experiment with different textures. You can go from loose waves to tighter curls or create a more polished, voluminous look depending on your mood or the occasion.

When you want to rectify uneven texture in your client's hair:

Describes hair with defined curls or waves underneath, while the top layers are straighter, creating a layered, textured look with contrast between the curlier bottom and smoother top sections.  Perming can give curls a more uniform appearance.

So come on...What Perm and Texturiser options are there, I hear you ask?!

We’re not talking ‘one formula with different processing times’... each of the 5 formulas is different in ingredients, and due to their low pH ranges and gentle compositions, these formulations provide a much more pleasant perming experience while keeping the hair conditioned and manageable!

Introducing...

Exo Perm

pH 7.4

An exothermic wave, known for generating its own heat, specifically designed to penetrate and style resistant grey and white hair. With its innovative, Ammonia and thio-free formula, it is exceptionally gentle, creating soft, loose waves with body while safeguarding the hair from damage.

For Resistant White Hair

• The most powerful option

• Gives a tighter, stronger curl pattern

• Exothermic:  Gentle warming opens the cuticle

• An activator is used to create the exothermic reaction

• Process 20-30mins for resistant hair (only a guideline)

Alka Perm

pH 7.4

A traditional alkaline wave formulated to deliver firm, resilient curls for clients with highly resistant, healthy hair. Creates long-lasting, firm, and resilient curls with an Ammonia and Thio-free formula.

For Normal to Fine Hair Types

• Medium strength

• Tighter curl than TECNO, but looser than EXO

• A cold perm that can last up to 3-6 months (depending on the care of the perm, hair condition, and styling)

• Processing time is between 20-30mins (this is a guideline)

• Ammonia and Thio-free, it features a balanced pH designed to protect the hair structure and uniquely allows for same-day colouring.

Tecno Perm

pH 7.2

A versatile, acid-balanced formula, free from ammonia and thio, designed for colour-treated or porous hair to deliver soft, natural-looking curls with minimal damage and a softer, more natural-looking texture.

For Colour-Treated Hair/Pre-Lightened Hair

• Gives a loose-type curl

• Gentlest of the 3 waving formulas

• Is an acid perm

• To create the acidic effect, an activator is needed

• Processing time is 15-20 Mins (this is a guideline)

OH6 & OH7 Texturisers

Specialised waving systems optimised for processed or highly porous hair, with Ammonia and Thio free formulas.

OH6 features a pH that mimics the natural acidity of water (often used as a gentle texturiser).

OH7 features a neutral pH

OH6

pH 6

For Colour treated/pre-lightened hair types

• Creates soft texture and movement

• Lasts up to 2 months (depending on care and condition of hair)

• Process colour-treated hair for 10-20mins

• Highlighted hair up to 80% 2-10mins

OH7

pH 7

For resistant/white/natural or fine hair types

• Creates texture and volume on fine hair types

• Lasts up to 2 months (depending on care and condition of hair)

• Processing time for resistant white hair or fine hair is 20-30mins (just a guideline)

  
  

Ok so if perming isn’t your thing, you may think...Waves and Texturisers...What’s the difference?

Terminology breakdown:

Waves (Perms) give a longer-lasting result, altering the hair follicle from the root.

Texturisers Last less time, give a softer grow-out, and achieve the most natural texture.

So that’s our trip down memory lane complete...and if you haven’t already tried one of Oligo’s perms and texturisers...what are you waiting for?!

Next blog coming soon...

Lots of Love from

The Education Team at Oligo Pro UK x