Types of Hair Color Options Explained

Semi-Permanent Hair Color

• Low-commitment option.
• Range of results: subtle to bold.
• Does not lift hair; deposit-only.
• Color molecules lodge in cuticle, lasting longer than temporary colors.
• Lasts 6-8 shampoos.

Demi-Permanent Hair Color

• Mixed with a developer, similar to ammonia but generally ammonia-free.
• Considered deposit-only.
• May lift hair by about half a level (not visible).
• Lasts 12-24 shampoos.

Uses of Demi-Permanent Hair Color

• Covers and blends gray hair.
• Enhances natural hair color.
• Tones lightened hair.
• Used as a toner or glaze for correcting unwanted tones.

Permanent Hair Color

• Permanently changes hair color.
• Contains an alkaline agent and is mixed with hydrogen peroxide.
• Effective in covering gray hair, creating bright or natural colors.
• Lightens and deposits hair color.

Natural Based Hair Colors

• Usually plant-based dyes.
• Limited shades, generally stain cuticle.
• Lasts 4-6 weeks.

Limitations

• More muted colors compared to synthetic dyes.
• Less popular and effective in salons.

Metallic Hair Color

• Contains metallic salts, causing issues during chemical services.
• Not recommended due to adverse effects.

Dangers

• Reactions with perms/relaxers.
• Possible smoke with foils during highlighting.

Test for Metallic Salts

• Mix ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and warm water; steam/smoke indicates presence.

Non-Oxidative Hair Colors

• Temporary; make small changes.
• Molecules sit on cuticle, causing physical not chemical change.

Temporary Hair Color

• Lasts 1-3 shampoos; may stain high porosity hair.

Types

• Rinses, mousses, gels.
• Requires patch test if containing aniline derivative dye.

Examples

• Dry shampoo, hair mascara, waxes, chalk, spray-on colors, color-enhancing shampoos.

Semi-Permanent vs Demi-Permanent

• Semi-Permanent: Lasts 12-24 shampoos, deposit-only, no developer, gentle, used straight from bottle.
• Demi-Permanent: Enters cortex slightly, deepens tone, used as toner, mixed with low-level developer, gentle.

Demi-Permanent vs Permanent

• Demi-Permanent: Slight cortex entry, low lift, no ammonia, lower damage.
• Permanent: Higher lift, contains ammonia, higher damage potential, used for significant color changes.