What Is a Digital Perm? How It Works, How Long It Lasts and What It Costs in Toronto

MOMO HAIR · 2026-11-08

A digital perm gives straight or flat hair soft, bouncy waves that look like you spent time with a curling iron, even on days you don't. It is one of the services we are asked about most at MOMO HAIR, our salon at Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto. Here are clear answers to the questions people ask before booking one.

What is a digital perm?

A digital perm is a perm that uses heated rods. The stylist applies a perm solution, wraps your hair around rods that are connected to a machine, and the machine controls the heat on each rod. The heat sets the shape into the hair. After that, a neutralizer locks the new shape in.

The name "digital" comes from that machine, which shows and controls the temperature. You may also hear it called a Korean perm, a hot perm or a setting perm. They all mean the same kind of service.

How is it different from a regular perm?

A regular perm is called a cold perm because it uses no heat. The two give different results:

• Digital perm: bigger, looser waves that look best when the hair is dry. Great for long or medium hair.
• Cold perm: tighter, springier curls that look best when the hair is damp or styled with a little cream. Great for short hair.

We wrote a full side-by-side guide here: Cold Perm vs Digital Perm: Which One Is Right for You?

Who is a digital perm good for?

A digital perm usually works best if:

• Your hair is straight, flat or limp and you want volume and soft waves.
• Your hair is medium to long. Very short hair often does better with a cold perm.
• You want a low-effort style that looks finished when you air-dry or diffuse.

It can be harder on hair that is bleached, very damaged or already chemically straightened. Hair that has been lightened a lot may not hold the curl well and can get dry. That is why we do a free 5-minute strand test on treated hair before you commit.

How long does a digital perm last?

On healthy hair, the waves usually stay for about six months, and often longer. The permed hair itself keeps its shape until you cut it off. What changes is that your roots grow in straight, and long hair slowly gets heavier and pulls the waves a little looser. Most people redo it every six months to a year, depending on how fast their hair grows and how much wave they want.

How long does the appointment take?

Plan for about 2.5 to 4 hours. Long or thick hair takes longer, because there are more rods to wrap and the hair needs time to set.

How do I care for a digital perm?

• Wait before washing. Most stylists ask you to wait about 48 hours before the first wash, so the new shape can settle. Ask your stylist for the exact timing.
• Use gentle products. A sulfate-free shampoo and a good conditioner help keep permed hair soft.
• Scrunch, don't brush. Brushing dry hair pulls waves out. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, then scrunch in a little curl cream or mousse.
• Air-dry or diffuse. A digital perm looks its best dry, so a diffuser on low heat brings the waves up fast.
• Be careful with bleach. Bleaching on top of a fresh perm can damage the hair. Talk to your stylist before any big colour change.

How much does a digital perm cost in Toronto?

Digital perms cost more than regular perms because they take longer and use special equipment. In Toronto, salons usually list a digital perm "from" about $250, while regular perms often start between $100 and $200. The final price depends on your hair length, how thick it is and how long the service takes. (We checked Toronto salon listings on Fresha in November 2026.)

At MOMO HAIR, a digital perm starts at $350. That is above many Toronto salons, and here is why. Our team is led by Liz, our Director, who has 28 years of experience. Every perm starts with a free consultation, and a free pre-test when your hair has been treated before, so you know how your hair will react and the exact price before we begin. Our clients are very happy with their results, as you can see in our reviews. A perm is a chemical service. A cheap or rushed perm can leave hair dry, frizzy or uneven, and fixing damaged hair usually costs more than doing it right the first time.

Can I see real results first?

Yes. Our digital perm gallery shows before and after photos of our own clients, so you can see the kind of waves that might suit you.

Thinking about a digital perm?

The easiest first step is a free consultation. We look at your hair, tell you honestly whether a digital perm or a cold perm will give you the look you want, and give you the exact price. You can book online or call us at (647) 381-1398. We are on the 2nd floor at 2156 Yonge St, just south of Eglinton.