The hair coloring industry is a science in and of itself. It’s also a little daunting for those of us who aren’t trained in the craft. As a result, we prefer to leave it to the pros. (If you have a skill for successfully coloring your own hair, we applaud you, and please share all of your secrets with us.)
However, just because we delegate the painting and mixing to our preferred colorists doesn’t mean we aren’t interested in the process. And we’ve recently been perplexed about something: What is demi-permanent hair color, and how does it vary from semi-permanent hair color? We’d been getting conflicting messages about the situation, so we decided to investigate.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what demi-permanent hair color is, how long it lasts, and other details, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading to learn all you need to know about demi-permanent hair color from three skilled colorists, who will answer all of our pressing questions.
What exactly is demi-permanent hair coloring?
First and foremost, it is critical to distinguish between crème and liquid demi-permanent hair color solutions. A crème demi-permanent hair color, according to Zo Carpenter for Joico, is an alkaline, ammonia-free solution that comes in a number of colours and has the potential to either hide gray hair or blend hair color in a safe and natural manner.
In other words, while it doesn’t truly elevate your foundation, it’s not nearly as harsh as permanent hair color. “This technique offers for a large variety of hair color options with a lot of depth and complexity,” Carpenter explains. “It also enables tone-enhancing contouring and lowlighting without causing any harm to the hair strand.” 1″
Demi-permanent liquid color, on the other hand, is a little different. “A liquid solution is ideal for toning, blending, and adding shine,” explains Carpenter. “It’s also completely configurable, so you can make it as sheer or as subtle as you want.” It’s the ideal cure whether you’re color timid or new to color altogether.”
What is the lifespan of demi-permanent hair color?
“In contrast to demi-permanent hair color, semi-permanent hair color is a deposit-only product that does not require a developer or any degree of peroxide,” Dove hairdresser Cynthia Alvarez explains. “Rather of changing the hue, the color covers the exterior of the hair and modifies the tone.” This style of color often lasts five to twelve washes. “Semi-permanent color is sometimes known as a stain, gloss, or toner.”
The Advantages of Semi-Permanent Hair Color
In addition to being a great option for ladies with textured hair (it won’t change or harm your curl pattern), Alvarez notes a few other significant advantages of demi-permanent hair color: “For someone who wishes to avoid damage or anything that seems like an ultra-dramatic alteration, semi-permanent hair color results in a more visible difference.”
As previously stated, this recipe does not include ammonia, but it does contain just enough peroxide to open up the hair cuticle and allow a sufficient quantity of color to be absorbed.
Is Demi-Permanent Hair Color Effective on All Hair Types?
Yes! Demi-permanent hair color is suitable for all hair types because it does not drastically alter the appearance of the hair. That’s useful to know. If you want to lighten your hair, demi-permanent is generally not the way to go. “It darkens hair better than semi-permanent, but it doesn’t lighten hair,” Alvarez affirms.
What Is the Difference Between Demi-Permanent and Semi-Permanent Color?
According to famous hairdresser Tippi Shorter, “a semi color rests on the surface of the hair strand, making the color short-lived.” Demi color reaches the first layer of the hair strand, allowing the color to blend gray slightly, but permanent hair color provides the best gray covering. Demi-permanent hair color will fade after 12 to 24 shampoos.
How to Get Rid of Semi-Permanent Hair Color
In addition to utilizing an in-salon product like a Malibu Treatment (as recommended by Nine Zero One colorist Nicole Zeal), Alvarez recommends using a clarifying shampoo on a regular basis to remove undesired demi-permanent hair color. “By using a clarifying shampoo a few times a day, you can speed up the fading process of a semi-permanent color.” These shampoos are designed to remove all products from your hair and swiftly fade your color.
If you don’t have a clarifying shampoo, you may accomplish comparable effects using an anti-dandruff shampoo like Dove’s DermaCare Scalp Invigorating Mint Shampoo.
One word of caution: These shampoos may be overly drying to your strands (they strip moisture as well as color), so make careful to follow up with an ultra-moisturizing conditioner or mask.
