Perm Advice

So, I`m a guy considering getting a perm sometime in the next month or so.

I`m trying to figure out what to expect, and how tight a curl to get put in.

I have pin-straight, fairly fine hair, about an inch past my shoulders all around, although the cut at the ends isn`t very neat tight now. My hair is a very dark brown, almost black, and I have an oval-shaped faced with a high forehead and a bit of a
widow`s peak.

I`m not real concerned about the hair looking too feminine, in fact a more feminine to androgynous look, without screaming "woman`s haircut" is what I am going for.

My hair is in really healthy condition. That`s probably my biggest worry, losing the good condition of my hair. Does a perm HAVE to destroy my hair?

Anyone have any suggestions or advice? :)

My other plan is getting it cut with some more style, like a bob just above my shoulders, and get
the stylist to show me how to get the ends to curl under, evenly, all the time.