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Understanding Different Hair Color Types

May 16, 2025

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.