Cold Perm vs Digital Perm: Which One Is Right for You?

MOMO HAIR · 2026-11-08

Cold perm and digital perm both give you curls or waves that last for months. They are not the same, though, and picking the right one is the difference between "I love it" and "this isn't what I wanted." Here is how we explain it to clients at MOMO HAIR, our salon at Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto.

The short answer

• Choose a cold perm if you want tighter, springy curls, or if your hair is short.
• Choose a digital perm if you want big, soft, loose waves on medium or long hair, and you want them to look good when your hair is dry.

Side by side

How do the curls look different?

A cold perm makes a defined curl that bounces right away. It looks fullest when your hair is a little wet or when you scrunch in a curl cream. As it dries completely, it can relax into a softer wave.

A digital perm makes a rounder, looser wave, the kind people try to copy with a curling iron. It is at its best when the hair is fully dry. That makes it easy to wear for work or nights out.

Which is better for short hair?

Usually a cold perm. Short hair is light, and a cold perm gives it lift and body at the roots. A digital perm needs some length to wrap around the heated rods, and on very short hair the wave can be hard to see. We wrote more about this in our guide to cold perm for short hair.

Which is better for long hair?

Usually a digital perm. Long hair is heavy, and that weight pulls a cold perm curl looser over time. A digital perm holds a soft, even wave through the lengths and looks polished when dry. If you have long hair but want tight, springy curls, a cold perm can still work. Just expect the curl to relax a little as the hair grows.

Which one is easier to style?

It depends on how you like to get ready:

• Cold perm: wash, scrunch in a curl cream, and let it dry. Very quick.
• Digital perm: wash, let it air-dry or use a diffuser, and the waves come back on their own. Many people find it the more "done" look with less effort.

Which lasts longer?

Both last for months. The permed hair keeps its shape until it is cut off. What you notice over time is straight roots growing in and the curl relaxing as the hair gets longer and heavier. Most people redo either perm every six months to a year.

Is one more damaging than the other?

Both are chemical services, so both need healthy hair and a skilled stylist. The bigger risk is hair that has been bleached or chemically treated before. That hair is more fragile, and a perm can make it dry. We do a free 5-minute strand test on treated hair before any perm, so we know how your hair will react before we start.

What do they cost in Toronto?

In Toronto, regular (cold) perms are usually listed "from" about $100 to $200, and digital perms usually start from about $250 (from Toronto salon listings on Fresha, November 2026). The final price depends on length, thickness and time.

At MOMO HAIR, a cold perm starts at $200 for women and $180 for men, and a digital perm starts at $350. That is above many Toronto salons. Our team is led by Liz, our Director, with 28 years of experience, and every perm starts with a free consultation so you know the exact price first. Our clients are very happy with their results, as our reviews show. A rushed, cheap perm can leave hair dry and frizzy, and fixing it usually costs more than doing it right the first time.

Still not sure?

That is normal, and it is exactly what the free consultation is for. Bring a photo of the look you like. We will look at your hair, tell you honestly which perm will get you there, and give you the exact price. See real results in our digital perm and cold perm galleries, then book online or call (647) 381-1398. We are on the 2nd floor at 2156 Yonge St, just south of Eglinton.