Moving into the new year can elicit a lot of feelings of change. For some, it might be the goal of hitting the gym more, eating better, or buying new clothes. For others, the biggest question is, “Should I change my hair?”. We’re always here to tell you yes! Freshen up your look in the new year with a new style, cut, or color. Not sure what’s best for you? We’re here to help you look your best, highlighting if semi-permanent or permanent hair color is the right for your new look.
Semi-permanent hair color is a type of hair dye that dyes just the outer layer of your hair and doesn’t deeply penetrate the hair. Unlike permanent dyes, semi-perm doesn’t have ammonia or peroxide, so it is often used for people trying to maintain and protect their natural hair while still dyeing it.
The biggest con for semi-perm hair color is that fades fast and can wash out anywhere from 4-12 washes with shampoo. Depending on how many times a week you wash your hair, your new look could be short-lived. If you are a person who changes their mind a lot and might want to go to another color after one fades, semi-perm is a much smarter option.
Perfect for someone who often changes their mind or might want to go back to their natural color or a different color later on. Semi-perm doesn’t last long and can be washed out quickly if you need to be back natural for a job, a wedding, or anything in between.
Lacking harsh chemicals, semi-perm hair dye is the perfect option for those looking to protect and maintain their natural hair texture and color. It’s also a great option for those who have previously damaged or broken their hair, allowing it to be colored without furthering the damage.
Often, semi-perm dye is done with natural tones that will elevate your current color and give it depth and highlights. This can create subtle tonal shifts that can change the overall look of your hair without doing too much damage.
Semi-perm hair dye is a much less expensive option due to the amount of time it takes vs permanent dye. Instead of 6 hours in a salon chair, you can expect to be in and out of the salon with a semi-perm color because it takes much less time to process.
As the name suggests, permanent hair color is a more in-depth type of hair dye that penetrates the shaft of the hair and produces vibrant and long-lasting results. It deposits color deep in your hair by using chemicals like ammonia and peroxide. These substances open up your hair cuticle and lock in the color. If you are looking for a dramatic change or to cover gray hair, permanent hair dye is for you.
Using permanent dye can last indefinitely on your hair. While it is likely to fade over time, to completely get rid of your color, you would need to dye it with a new color. Your roots will grow out, and that will need to be dyed, but this is good for those who are not looking to change their color often.
If you’re looking to cover up gray hair, you will need to go with the permanent hair dye option. This can saturate gray hair and provide optimal coverage for those going gray.
Since permanent hair dye penetrates your hair so deeply, it creates vibrant colors that will remain vibrant for weeks. If you want any vibrant color of the rainbow in your hair, your best bet is permanent color.
From more natural looks to crazy colors, shades, and styles, dyeing your hair with permanent dye can expand the horizons of what is possible with your hair. Whatever you dream or imagine can be done, and the possibilities are endless!
While initial costs may be higher for permanent hair dye, the upkeep that it takes to maintain semi-permanent can greatly outweigh the upfront cost of permanency. The longevity of permanent color makes it a cost-effective choice.
Whether you’re exploring semi-permanent for its versatility or permanent hair for its lasting vibrancy, understanding your options is a step closer to achieving your ultimate hair goals. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses, and your decision is all about what your wants and needs are.
