Perm Spacers

Rolling hair for a perm
Photo: Tmon/Shutterstock
Q: I’ve had several perms done on my hair, and I’ve noticed that some stylists use spacers between the perm rod bands and my hair, while others don’t. Whenever spacers are used, my hair seems to have much more breakage compared to when they aren’t. I suspect this is because the spacers cause my hair to be pulled too tightly, which may be contributing to the damage.
 
I asked my most recent stylist whether the spacers are necessary, and she explained that without them, I might end up with visible marks in my hair from the bands. However, in my experience, when spacers haven’t been used, I’ve never noticed any perm marks. Though, to be fair, those services were performed by different stylists.
 
So, my question is: Are spacers really necessary? And if not, why do some stylists insist on using them?
 
A: Spacers were originally designed for use with older perming machines, where their primary purpose was to protect the scalp from potential burns caused by the heating elements used during the curling and chemical processing stages. In modern salons, however, spacers are seldom used because contemporary perm rods and techniques have evolved to minimize the risk of damage without requiring additional padding.
 
The inconsistency you’ve experienced - some stylists using spacers while others don’t - stems from the diversity of training backgrounds in the cosmetology industry. Stylists may learn their craft through independent beauty schools, technical college programs, or apprenticeships under licensed instructors, each of which may teach slightly different methods. While there is a standardized curriculum for licensing exams, individual stylists often adopt variations of standard techniques based on their mentors’ preferences or personal experiences.
 
To directly address your main concern: No, spacers are not an absolute necessity in most perm services today. When perm rods are applied correctly, they should not leave noticeable marks in your hair, even without spacers. If your stylist insists that spacers are required to prevent band marks, it may indicate that they are either using outdated techniques or wrapping the rods too tightly.
 
My recommendation is to discuss this with your stylist before your next perm and request that they avoid using spacers. If they are unable to wrap the rods securely without causing marks, or if they resist accommodating your preference, it may be worth seeking a stylist with more experience in modern perm techniques. A skilled professional should be able to achieve beautiful, even curls without unnecessary tension or breakage.
 
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See also:
 
More about perms
 
How to prevent or get rid of perm rod marks
 
How to remove perm rod marks without damaging your hair