About ISO Option Perms

ISO is a professional salon brand made by Joico. The Option perm range is its waving system: four single-application kits, each formulated for a different hair condition rather than a single all-purpose formula. Choosing the right option is the difference between a lasting wave and a limp one.

Which ISO Option do I need?

How to use an ISO Option perm

1. Analyze the hair: porosity, texture, colour history and previous chemical services.
2. Select the matching Option. Colour-treated hair goes to Option 2; resistant hair goes to Option 3.
3. Shampoo gently and towel dry. Do not condition before the service.
4. Wrap on rods at the curl size you want, using end papers and even tension.
5. Apply waving lotion, saturate fully, and process with a test curl. Never process by clock alone.
6. Rinse thoroughly for five minutes and blot each rod dry.
7. Apply neutralizer, leave on for the stated time, remove rods and rinse.
8. Follow with a post-perm conditioner and advise no shampoo for 48 hours.

Acid or alkaline?

Options 1, 2 and Exo are acid-balanced perms. They work at a lower pH, swell the hair shaft less, and give a softer, more natural wave, which is why they suit colour-treated and previously waved hair. Option 3 is alkaline. It works at a higher pH, opens the cuticle further, and delivers the firmer curl that resistant hair needs. Both are thioglycolate systems; the difference is pH and how aggressively they enter the hair.

Aftercare

• No shampoo, no tight ties and no heat styling for 48 hours.
• Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner.
• Diffuse rather than blow dry straight to keep the wave pattern.
• Expect three to six months of wave depending on hair length and growth.
• Wait at least two weeks between a perm and a colour service.

Frequently asked questions

Who makes ISO perms?

ISO is a professional brand owned and manufactured by Joico. ISO Option perms are sold through professional beauty distributors rather than drugstores.

Are ISO perms acid or alkaline?

Both, depending on the option. Option 1, Option 2 and Option Exo are acid-balanced. Option 3 is alkaline.

Which ISO Option is right for colour-treated hair?

Option 2. It is formulated for every type of colour-treated hair and processes gently enough to protect the colour.

Which ISO Option gives the firmest curl?

Option 3, the alkaline formula, made for normal to resistant hair that will not hold a softer wave.

What does exothermic mean in Option Exo?

Exothermic means the formula generates its own gentle heat when mixed and activated. That heat helps the waving lotion penetrate longer or resistant hair more evenly, without an outside heat source.

How many applications is one kit?

One. Each ISO Option kit is a single application and contains the waving lotion and neutralizer for that service.

Do the kits include rods?

No. Rods, end papers, caps and applicator bottles are purchased separately.

Can ISO Option perms be used on bleached hair?

Heavily bleached or severely damaged hair is not a candidate for any perm. Assess elasticity and porosity first and run a strand test. If the hair stretches and does not return, do not perm it.

How long does an ISO perm last?

Typically three to six months. The wave grows out rather than washing out, so length and growth rate decide how long it reads as a perm.

Can I colour the hair after perming?

Wait a minimum of two weeks. Perming and colouring back to back compounds the stress on the hair and gives unpredictable colour results.

Are ISO Option perms for professional use?

Yes. They are professional salon products intended for licensed stylists working with test curls and proper timing.

Where can I buy ISO perms in Canada?

Eastern Beauty Supply is an authorized Canadian retailer for ISO. Available across Canada, with free expedited shipping on orders over $59.

Related collections

Joico - Perms and Texture - Hair Colour - Developers - Post-Perm Care - Sulfate-Free Shampoo - Deep Conditioners - Salon Tools

Eastern Beauty Supply is an authorized Canadian retailer. Available across Canada.