Believe it or not, perms are making a comeback. If you grew up in the ‘80s, you’re probably all too familiar with the hair treatment: the spiral, tight curls formed by chemical processing that gave hair extra volume and oomph. While traditional perms are certainly still offered in many hair salons, nowadays, there’s another perm option available that gives hair a looser, more relaxed curl: a digital perm. Here, we get into why digital perms are the new perm, with insights from a celebrity hairstylist.

Perms are known for their ability to create and define curls that last for months through chemical processing. With a digital perm, we’re not relying on the chemicals alone to create the curls; heat is added in as well. “A digital perm uses heated, digitally controlled rods to create soft, more natural-looking waves that are more defined when dry,” explains Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hairstylist, colorist, educator and Founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa.

The main difference between a traditional perm and a digital perm is the use of heat from the heated rods that accompanies a digital perm. Another difference between the two is that the heat allows for the type of curl and the curl pattern to be manipulated, allowing for softer, looser curls. “Compared to a traditional perm, which usually makes tighter curls using chemicals alone, the digital perm gives a looser, more relaxed finish,” affirms Korab. “It is the most suitable for medium to thick hair and offers a low-maintenance, air-dried look.”