Abstract: The permanent wave rod of the present invention is comprised of an elongate body having an oblong cross-sectional shape wherein the diameter of the circular segment at the narrower top of the rod is 0.4 to 0.8 times the diameter of the circular segment at the wider bottom of the rod. The circular segments are intersected by sides which are tangential with both of the circular segments. The centers of the circular segments are offset from one another by a distance which is equal to one-half of the diameter of the larger circular segement. The cross-sectional dimensions of the rod vary along its longitudinal extent with the center of the rod being approximately one-half of the size of its extremities. In addition, the center of the rod is axially offset from its extremities towards the larger circular segment.