Semi-permanent hair dye is a wildly popular hair coloring option that allows you to try a new hue without fully committing to it. It’s easy to use, and its usability and benefits are generally well understood. Show
Still, people have many questions about semi-permanent dye – one of the most common being “How long does semi-permanent hair dye last?” This article will address this question and fill you in on factors that contribute to its longevity. Table of Contents
How Long Does Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Last?Semi-permanent hair dye, on average, lasts anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. This short longevity is good for hair dye newbies because it allows them to get a taste of a new color without having to be stuck with it for months. The reason that semi-permanent hair dye does not last for months lies in its formula. Semi-permanent eyes are usually free of ammonia and peroxide, both of which are used to forcibly open the hair cuticle, penetrate the hair shaft, and deposit a new color deep within the hair’s cortex. Semi-permanent hair dyes are not meant to do that. Instead, they’re only designed to deposit color onto the outer layers of the hair cuticle for a less permanent result. Keep in mind that semi-permanent “temporary” hair dye will begin to fade shortly after the dyeing process is complete. However, most of the fading will occur towards the end of the four-to-six-week mark. 4 Factors Affecting Semi-Permanent Hair Dye LongevityIt’s important not to generalize when it comes to semi-permanent dye fading times because there are many things that can shorten or lengthen the longevity of the dye. And that’s what we will be addressing in the following sections. Here are four things that drastically affect how long your hair dye will last. 1. How Long You Left the Dye on Your HairA semi-permanent dye comes with application instructions that specify how long you should leave the dye on your hair for lasting results. But if you don’t follow those instructions tediously, you could experience a couple of effects:
2. The Hair Dye’s FormulaNot all semi-permanent dyes are created equal. Some are formulated with proprietary ingredients that increase their staying power, making them last past the 6-week mark. Others are not formulated with color-stay ingredients and will last closer to 4 weeks or even less in some cases. To determine how long your specific dye will last, your best bet is to read the packaging closely. 3. The Condition of Your Hair During the Hair Dye ApplicationBefore applying a semi-permanent hair dye, your hair should be extremely clean. That’s why experts recommend that you wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any dirt, debris, or build-up. Doing so will help to ensure that the dye will latch onto your actual hair instead of whatever is coating your hair. You should wash your hair no more than 24 hours before dyeing it with a semi-permanent dye. The reason behind this is that after washing your hair, your scalp will quickly replenish the oils washed away during the shampooing process. You don’t want to give your hair a chance to get oily before dyeing it. If you don’t wash your hair within 24 hours of dyeing it, the results won’t last very long. 4. Your Hair Washing HabitsOne of the most prominent factors affecting dye longevity is how often you wash your hair after dyeing it. If you wash your hair often (every day or two), your hair dye will fade very quickly. If you want your results to last, you should wash your hair as little as possible – only when necessary. Once per week is a good rule of thumb. Washing your hair with sulfate-based shampoos speeds up the fading process of semi-permanent color. So, if you want to keep your hair dye job vibrant, you should switch out your sulfate shampoo for a gentler sulfate-free shampoo. You can also opt for a co-wash, a conditioner that cleanses your hair without stripping it at all. Of course, whenever your hair begins to show signs of buildup, you will want to use a tougher shampoo to remove it. If your hair is caked in product buildup, you won’t be able to moisturize it effectively with your other products. In addition, the temperature of the water is important. If you wash your hair with super-hot water each time, this will speed up the rate of color fade. How To Avoid Premature Dye FadingNow that you understand the most common factors affecting semi-permanent dye fade, let’s move on to how to keep your dye from fading prematurely. We will do so in the following list:
How To Fade Your Hair Dye QuicklyIt would be a mistake to think that everyone wants their hair dye to last a long time. There will be times when you hate your hair dye result and want to fade it as quickly as possible. If that’s the case for you, take the following steps to fade your hair dye quickly:
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We hope that this article has been helpful to you, having given you pertinent information about how long semi-permanent hair color lasts. We wish you the best with your hair, no matter where your hair dye journey takes you! Kenneth Byrd( Co-founder and Owner ) Kenneth Byrd holds a BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a serial hair blogger that has been writing about hair care since 2008, when he co-founded Curl Centric and Natural Hair Box. Curl Centric is a website operated by a husband and wife team that encourages healthy hair care. How long does semiHow long does semi-permanent hair color last? With moderate to low use of shampoo, as well as limited exposure to the sun and swimming pools (due to the chlorine), semi-permanent hair color should last around six weeks (eight washes).
Will semiDoes semi-permanent hair dye wash out completely? Yes, semi-permanent hair dye will wash out completely with shampoo. However, it may take a few washes to get all of the colour out. Every time you wash your hair, some pigment will be removed.
Does semiSemi-permanent and temporary hair colours penetrate your hair's cuticle (protective outer layer) to gain access to the cortex (inner layer) where your hair's pigment is contained. Therefore, they can cause moisture loss from your hair, and subsequent dryness.
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