Coloring hair is becoming a trend nowadays. Everyone, females or males, wants to experiment with their hair with vibrant or aesthetic colors. It is like makeup applied to the hair to look more enhanced.
For this purpose, different companies have introduced types of colors and other options for dyeing hair to change the physical appearance overall.
While most people have a general idea of hair coloring in saloons and beauty parlours but well, now everything is possible at home only.
Therefore it is important to know the colors and what they contain, as a lack of knowledge/information can cause serious damage to the hair.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent hair color chemically alters hair structure, providing long-lasting color that only fades with growth.
- Semi-permanent hair color coats the shaft without penetrating it, creating a temporary color that fades with washing.
- Permanent hair color can cover gray hair and achieve significant color changes, whereas semi-permanent color is best for subtle changes and enhancing natural hair color.
Permanent vs Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Permanent hair color is a type of hair dye that penetrates the hair shaft and remains in the hair until it is cut off or grows out. It contains a higher concentration of ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. Semi-permanent hair color is a type of hair dye that coats the hair shaft without penetrating the cuticle. It contains lower levels of chemicals, such as peroxide or ammonia.
Permanent hair color is hair dye that sits for a longer duration. It contains more chemicals, along with peroxide. It does not wash out easily and goes deeper than the outer surface.
The care of hair has to be done as these colors can cause some serious damage to the hair that cannot be healed.
Semi-permanent hair color lasts for a few washes and contains no chemicals, including peroxide. There is not a developer either that is to be mixed with ammonia.
When you apply the color to your hair, it just simply sits on the top layer of it and gives a shinier appearance. These cause zero or no damage to the hair.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Permanent Hair Color | Semi Permanent Hair Color |
|---|---|---|
| Permanency | 6 to 8 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Chemicals | Contains chemical | Does not contain it. |
| Developer | Contains it | Does not contain it. |
| Sits on | Cuticles | The outer surface of the hair |
| Damage | More damage | Less damage |
What is Permanent Hair Color?
Permanent hair color goes deep than the outer surface of your hair; it goes to the cuticles to make sure the color sits for a longer period.
It changes the hair color completely rather than just enhancing the original color. The ammonia formula in color has to mix with a developer before applying it to make sure it sits properly on the surface.
This contains peroxide and other chemicals too, and this is the reason why the hair color lasts for a long time. Apart from this, they have the following advantages:
- This color does not have to be applied regularly or more frequently, as the color lasts for a good period.
- Permanent hair color comes in a variety of colors; therefore, there is an option for everyone.
- They look natural as they get absorbed in the hair.
- They completely cover the grey hair, giving full coverage.
- Regular shampooing is not a problem with permanent hair color as they do not wash out easily.
Apart from all the above-mentioned advantages, it has some disadvantages too, that include:
- It causes more damage to the hair than any other hair dye/color. This is due to the strong chemicals it contains.
- The mixture has to be kept for a longer period.
- It may cause some allergic reactions.
- It cannot be washed out if not satisfied with the color.
What is Semi-Permanent Hair Color?
Semi-permanent hair color does not last for a large period. It starts fading away after just 6 weeks sometimes. It enhances the hair color and makes them look shinier and smoother.
It is best if you want to experiment with the hair color and especially if this is your first time coloring.
Coloring hair with semi-permanent hair color has some advantages, such as, the last of a short period which means you can change the color more frequently and you can experiment more. also if you don’t like the color you can always wash it off, it causes the least damage to the hair as compared to any other hair color (due to the absence or peroxide or any chemicals), they are not expensive and can be afforded by most of the people, the color look more natural, they can use straight from the applicators,
For proper making sure the color lasts for a longer period, proper care has to be taken. For caring shampoos and conditions specially designed for the staying, the color should be used.
Semi-permanent hair color does not contain chemicals, and most of them are also cruelty-free and vegan. They sit on the outer surface of the hair and improve the texture and color of your hair.
Main Differences Between Permanent and Semi-Permanent Hair Color
- The main difference between both permanent and semi-permanent hair color is in the time they stay, or after a period, and they start fading away. Permanent hair color, as the name suggests, lasts for more time in comparison to semi-hair color. Permanent hair color can last for 6 to 8 weeks, whereas semi-permanent hair color starts fading after just 3 to 4 weeks.
- Both colors also differ in terms of chemical composition. Permanent hair color contains chemicals, i.e., it contains ammonia and peroxide, whereas semi-permanent hair color does not contain chemicals (peroxide).
- Permanent hair color contains a developer that has to be mixed with ammonia so that the hair color can sit properly on the hair, whereas semi-permanent hair color does not contain any developer.
- As mentioned above, both of them lasts for different periods, and the reason behind this is permanent hair color with the help of developers and chemicals, sits on the cuticles of the hair so that the color can properly sit on hairs evenly while semi hair color only sits on the outside layer of the hair.
- As permanent hair color contains chemicals, it can cause some serious damage to the hair, whereas no such serious or permanent damage is caused in the case of semi-permanent hair color.
- Semi-permanent hair color does not change the hair color completely. It just enhances the original color of the hair, making them shinier and brighter, while permanent hair color can completely change the hair color.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0022202X9390506D
- https://www.derm.theclinics.com/article/S0733-8635(18)30675-2/abstract
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1996.tb00311.x
Last Updated : 01 August, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
The advantages and disadvantages of permanent vs semi-permanent hair color are well-delineated here. It’s beneficial to know these things before making a decision.
I agree, the comparison table is particularly helpful in understanding the key differences between permanent and semi-permanent hair color.
Absolutely, having all this information in one place makes it easier to weigh the pros and cons of either option.
I found this article to be highly informative and explanatory about the differences between permanent and semi-permanent hair color. It’s extremely useful for discerning the best option.
Agreed, the detailed comparison and in-depth information can certainly guide individuals in choosing the right hair color option.
Having a comprehensive overview like this aids in understanding the implications of choosing permanent or semi-permanent hair color.
I deeply appreciate the depth of information provided here. It’s essential for individuals to have this kind of knowledge before making decisions about hair coloring.
This article leaves no stone unturned in detailing the contrasting features of permanent and semi-permanent hair color. A very enlightening read.
Thanks for the detailed information about the types of hair dyes, the differences, and the benefits and downsides of each one. This is very useful for someone who’s considering coloring their hair.
I appreciate the breakdown of the chemicals involved in permanent vs. semi-permanent hair color and the effects they have on the hair. It’s important to be well-informed before making such a choice.
Yes, this information will be very helpful in making a decision about whether to use permanent or semi-permanent hair color.
This article has clarified what I didn’t know about permanent hair color. The information is well-structured and comprehensive.
Absolutely, the distinctions made between these types of hair color are very useful for those considering coloring their hair.
I appreciate the thorough explanations of how permanent and semi-permanent hair color work, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. It’s enlightening.
I’m glad the article was able to provide such clarity on this topic. It’s definitely an important consideration for anyone looking to dye their hair.
Having a clear understanding of the nuances between permanent and semi-permanent hair color gives better insight into the decision-making process. This was very informative.
It’s good to have such a detailed understanding of the effects of permanent and semi-permanent hair color on the hair’s structure. This gives a new perspective on hair coloring.
This information really highlights the importance of choosing the right type of hair color based on one’s individual preferences and hair type.
Yes, understanding what each type of hair color contains and how it affects the hair is crucial, especially for those who are coloring their hair for the first time.
The article thoroughly explains the benefits and drawbacks of both permanent and semi-permanent hair color. It’s a valuable resource for anyone curious about hair coloring.
Absolutely, the information provided here can serve as a guide for making a well-informed decision about coloring hair.
The detailed insights offered here give a clear understanding of the implications of using permanent or semi-permanent hair color.
The detailed comparison and detailed examination of permanent and semi-permanent hair color in this article is truly enlightening and informative.
I wasn’t aware of the differences in permanency and chemical content between these types of hair colors. This has definitely broadened my understanding.
Yes, this article has provided a comprehensive comparison of permanent and semi-permanent hair color. It’s great to have this level of detail.