The Afro or Reggae Perm is a trend among some in the Asian community in Japan and Korea but less frequent in China

Some might be more familiar with chemical hair straightening or loose curly perm methods. The Asian Afro Perm has the reverse effect of your more traditional straightening or loose curly perms.

Asian Afro Perm is typically used on naturally silky straight hair to achieve a fuller or coarse textured look, making the hair go from straight or wavy to “coily”.

An afro perm is made by not straightening the hair. It is made by creating hair bonds that make the hair curl. The hair stylist makes the hair into a new shape, using perming rods or rollers, and allows the new shape to develop.

Due to the coily texture of the hair created by the Asian Afro Perm, the technique can also be used on naturally silky straight hair prior to creating dreadlocks or twist hairstyles.

The recent afro perm hairstyle originates from East Asian culture being influenced and intrigued by Black culture. With the wave of Reggae and Hip Hop music in Korea, Japan and China the fusion was inevitable.

Some East Asian’s have been gravitating towards Afro Perms aka Reggae Perms and also dread perms, cornrows and braids in general as popular trends and cultures cross borders.