Have a healthy fear of commitment? Demi-permanent hair color strikes a perfect balance between temporary and permanent hair color!
What is Demi-Permanent Hair Color?
Unlike permanent hair color, demi-permanent dye contains just a small amount of peroxide and is typically ammonia free. This offers a more gentle method of depositing color onto the hair shaft without significantly lifting the hair’s natural pigment.
Advantages
Demi-permanent hair color offers up a number of advantages over permanent hair color. It is gentler on the hair, it is great for clients who desire low maintenance color, those who want more flexibility, and offers gray blending without harsh regrowth lines.
1. Gentler on Hair
Demi-permanent color has a lower level of peroxide, providing less structural changes to hair than permanent color.
2. Flexibility
Because color will naturally fade within 4-6 weeks, demi-permanent hair color is a great option for those who like to experiment with hair looks.
3. Offers Gray Blending
Demi-permanent color gradually fades over time leaving no distinctive roots as hair grows out. It offers a low-maintenance way to play with hair color.
Frequently Asked Questions About Demi-Permanent Hair Color
Considering demi-permanent color? Below are the top questions asked of our expert stylists at Current Salon:
How Long does Demi-Permanent Hair Color Last?
Demi-permanent hair color typically lasts 4-6 weeks before significant fading occurs.
How long your color will last is dependent upon a number of factors including how porous your hair is, your hair routine, and exposure to sun or saltwater. Porous hair will both absorb and release color more easily leading to faster fading of color. Frequent washing or exposure to sun and saltwater will also lead to faster fading. The shade of color you select can also impact how long the color lasts with lighter shades often fading more quickly than darker shades.
Can Demi-Permanent Hair Color be used to Lighten Hair?
Demi-permanent hair color is not able to lighten hair significantly. It can create a subtle change in tone, darken existing color, and provide gray blending. Unlike permanent hair color, demi-permanent color doesn’t contain high levels of peroxide, which is necessary to lift and lighten hair color significantly. With demi-permanent, it can lighten hair 1-2 shades, at most.
Can Demi-Permanent Hair Color Cover Gray Hair?
Demi-permanent hair color is a great solution for blending gray hair. Demi-permanent color will blend grays with the rest of your natural or previously colored hair. While it won’t completely eliminate all of your gray hair like permanent color can, it can effectively camouflage gray.
It’s important to note that your coverage results will depend on the texture of your hair, products used, how porous your hair is, and your starting hair color. Your stylist can recommend the best approach for your desired look.
Does Demi-Permanent Hair Color Require Pre-Lightening or Bleaching?
Because demi-permanent hair color is not meant to significantly lighten your hair, it does not require pre-lightening or bleaching. It’s designed to work on natural or previously colored hair, enhancing color, adding richness, or blending away gray.
Is Demi-Permanent Hair Color Damaging to the Hair?
Because demi-permanent hair color contains smaller amounts of peroxide than permanent hair color, it’s generally less damaging to the hair’s natural structure. Of course, the key to reducing hair damage is proper maintenance and using quality hair care products. Be sure to check with your stylist for tips on how to best maintain the health of your hair.
Can Demi-Permanent Hair Color be used on Previously Colored or Chemically Treated Hair?
Yes, demi-permanent hair color is safe to use on previously colored or chemically treated hair. In fact, it’s a great way to refresh your current color or experiment without committing to permanent color. It’s also a great way to give hair a break from frequent permanent color application which can be slightly more damaging due to higher levels of peroxide and ammonia.
How often can Demi-Permanent Hair Color be Applied?
How often you can apply demi-permanent color depends on your desired hair goals. As a general rule, we recommend allowing 4-6 weeks between demi-permanent color applications. Your stylist however can provide a personalized recommendation based on your unique hair structure and specific needs.
Maintenance Tips for Demi-Permanent Hair Color
To maintain your color as well as the health of your hair, it’s important to follow a proper maintenance routine.
Take the following steps to increase the longevity of your color and strength of your hair:
1. Use Professional, Color-Safe Hair Products
You’ll want to be sure to use hair care products specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Your stylist can recommend the best hair care products for your hair type, lifestyle, and hair color.
2. Minimize Heat Styling
Excessive heat exposure can weaken the hair, making it more prone to color fading, breakage and split ends – not to mention stripping hair of its natural moisture. If you must break out the heat styling tools, apply a heat protectant to your hair beforehand and use at a lower temperature setting.
3. Limit Exposure to Sunlight, Chlorine and Salt Water
Protect your hair from the sun’s color-fading rays by wearing a hat or using a UV protectant on your hair. Similarly, limit exposure to chlorine and saltwater, which can strip color from hair. A leave-in conditioner is your best bet for protecting your hair at the pool or beach.
4. Wash Hair Less Frequently
Because color will fade with each shampoo, washing hair less frequently will help to extend the life of your demi-permanent color. Try a dry shampoo in between washings to keep hair feeling fresh. Bonus tip: Use cold or lukewarm water instead of hot. This will help to seal the cuticle and maintain color.
Want to Know if Demi-Permanent Hair Color is for you?
Book a complimentary consultation with one of our Current Salon Stylists! We can help guide you in choosing the perfect color solution for your desired look!