How can a stylist determine if a perm has been successful?

A stylist can determine if a perm has been successful by how well the hair holds its curl. The primary purpose of a perm is to change the structure of the hair to create lasting curls or waves. After the perming process, the hair should exhibit defined curls or waves that stay in place when dry, demonstrating that the chemical process was effective in reshaping the hair's internal structure.

Maintaining the curls is essential as this indicates that the perm solution has successfully altered the disulfide bonds in the hair, resulting in the desired texture. If the curl pattern is visible and maintains its shape after styling, it is a strong indicator that the perm has been executed properly and has taken effect as intended.

Other methods, like checking the color of the hair, examining the hair's reaction to heat, or considering the hair's length, do not provide direct evidence of the perm's success, as color can remain unaffected, hair reactions can vary widely based on individual hair types, and length is unrelated to the curling process.