Beach Wave & Body Wave Perms: The Softest Way to Add Volume

A body wave (or beach wave) is the gentlest kind of perm: large rods and milder processing add soft volume and loose, natural movement rather than tight curl. It's the most subtle, lived-in texture service, and it's a favourite for fine or flat hair that wants lasting body. It's still a chemical perm, though, so it carries the same candidacy rules: healthy hair only, and no bleached or over-processed hair.

What a body wave is

If a perm sounds like more curl than you want, a body wave is the gentle end of the same idea. Using large rods and softer processing, it loosens the hair's bonds just enough to add wave and volume without committing you to defined curls. The result is soft, natural movement and body, the kind of “I just have nice hair” texture rather than an obvious perm.

It's especially loved by people with fine or flat hair, because it builds in lasting lift and bounce that no amount of mousse can fake for long.

Gentle result, but still a perm

The softer look can be misleading, so we'll say it plainly: a body wave is still a chemical perm. It carries the same candidacy red-flags as any perm: bleached, over-processed, or previously straightened or relaxed hair is usually unsuitable, and so is fragile, damaged hair. The relaxed result also tends to relax further, faster, than a tight perm, so it's a softer commitment in longevity as well as look.

Because it's gentle but still chemical, the same care applies: a consultation and strand test first, a 48-hour set window after, and gentle products to keep the wave alive. And as with any chemical service, pregnant or nursing clients should check with their doctor first.

Where Backstage fits

A body wave is really a soft variant of a classic perm rather than a separate service, and that's exactly what we can do with our Perm (from $150), wrapped on larger rods, processed gently, for soft volume and loose waves rather than tight curl. So if you have fine or flat hair that wants lasting body, this is very much in reach. The starting point is the same honest consultation: we look at your hair, talk about how soft or defined you want it, and only proceed if your hair can take a perm well.