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What is Demi-Permanent Hair Dye?

J. Beam
J. Beam

Demi-permanent hair dye is a chemical agent used to color hair. Unlike longer-lasting versions, it has no ammonia and a very low peroxide content. The color molecules are not as large, as well, so they wash out in about 24 shampoos. It has advantages such as being compatible with previously treated strands, but it also may pose serious health risks and has some drawbacks such as being ineffective at lightening color.

How It Works

Demi-permanent dies are not effective at lightening hair, so they are used for darker colors.
Demi-permanent dies are not effective at lightening hair, so they are used for darker colors.

The different types of hair color are separated by two major factors: whether they react with the natural pigment, and what size the color molecules are. In a temporary types, the molecules are very small. Ammonia, which is the agent that lifts the outer cuticle layer of the strand so dye can get inside to the deeper inner cortex, is not present. This, combined with very low peroxide levels, means the dye doesn’t lighten the natural pigments. It merely coats the strands with deposits of additional color molecules.

A hair dyeing kit.
A hair dyeing kit.

Permanent formulas contain ammonia, so they are able to lift the cuticle. They also have peroxide, which helps strip some or all of the natural pigment from the cortex. Color molecules enter the stripped strands, which creates a blend of the person’s natural color and the dye color. The molecules in this type of product are too large to get washed out easily.

Virtually all hair salons offer coloring services.
Virtually all hair salons offer coloring services.

A demi-permanent hair dye falls in between temporary and permanent. It uses an ammonia subtitute and has a very low peroxide percentage, so it doesn’t react with natural pigments and can only add color. The pre-color molecules in the product start out small but then join together once they’ve gotten into the cortex. The larger molecules are big enough that they can’t come right out but are small enough that they don’t have the staying power found in a long-lasting formula.

Purpose and Use

Demi-permanent hair dye washes out after about 24 shampoos.
Demi-permanent hair dye washes out after about 24 shampoos.

Based on the chemical makeup of demi-permanent hair dye and how it works, when a person has already used a coloring agent, this type of color can refresh the existing hue with very little additional damage. The cosmetologist uses a permanent formula only on new growth. An individual who doesn’t want to commit to a shade but who wants her color boost to last longer than it would using a temporary option also may use this type of product. Many people use it to blend away gray.

Benefits

When dying hair, it's recommended to wear gloves to prevent staining the hands.
When dying hair, it's recommended to wear gloves to prevent staining the hands.

Due to the use of an ammonia substitute and low level of peroxide, demi-permanent hair dye is fairly gentle. Many versions can be used on newly-relaxed or permed tresses without the risk of further chemical damage. They can give a bit of texture or add shine. In fact, some versions that are meant solely for these latter purposes are colorless. These products also permit people to experiment with color changes and are a good choice for individuals who want to color at home.

Disadvantages

Demi-permanent hair dyes do not contain ammonia, unlike permanent hair dyes.
Demi-permanent hair dyes do not contain ammonia, unlike permanent hair dyes.

Dyes that fall into the demi-permanent category are not good at lightening hair, even by a shade or two. They still take time to apply. The fact they wash out in around 24 shampoos means that a person usually needs to use them more often than with a longer-lasting option. If the work is done at a salon, this can get expensive.

Health Considerations

Some health professionals are concerned about the potential health risks demi-permanent and other dyes have as a result of their chemical ingredients. These agents can cause skin irritation on some people and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals. Experts are studying whether the chemicals can cause potential problems during pregnancy, because mothers-to-be can absorb them through the skin in very small amounts. The American Pregnancy Association recommends avoiding coloring products at least during the first trimester, as not enough research has been done to determine exactly how big the risks of pregnancy complications or birth defects are.

Availability

Virtually all licensed salons offer coloring services that use these products. At-home kits are available in the hair care aisles of most department stores, as well. People routinely buy this variety of hair color online if their local stores don’t have the brand or exact shade they want.

Discussion Comments

anon994752

If you use the correct conditioner on your hair, regardless of age, it will not be frizzled. If you then put hair spray on your hair you will negate the good effects of the conditioner. Grandma needs a good long-lasting color and conditioner used every shampoo. She needs a good cut that does not require spray and in general updates all around. That old-lady short curl that has to be sprayed should be discouraged at all costs and really should have passed into history like powdered wigs have done.

naturesgurl3

Do they make demi-permanent gray hair dye? My grandma always dyes her hair and it's completely frazzled. I keep trying to get her to use a less-strong hair dye, but she says they don't last long enough.

Maybe if I could get a demi-permanent one she'd go for it...

zenmaster

Demi-permanent hair dye really is the best temporary hair dye for people who want something temporary, but not too temporary.

A lot of my clients ask me for repeated treatments of wash out hair dye, because they want a long-lasting hair color, but they also want to avoid the ammonia damage.

But demi-permanent hair dye is a good in between solution, since you do get the color without the damage.

galen84basc

I had never heard of demi-permanent hair color -- it sounds really cool though.

I like to change colors every few months or so, but I don't like the damage that the more permanent dyes do to my hair.

I will definitely be checking out this demi-permanent hair dye ASAP.

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    • Demi-permanent dies are not effective at lightening hair, so they are used for darker colors.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Demi-permanent dies are not effective at lightening hair, so they are used for darker colors.
    • A hair dyeing kit.
      By: Tim
      A hair dyeing kit.
    • Virtually all hair salons offer coloring services.
      By: gemenacom
      Virtually all hair salons offer coloring services.
    • Demi-permanent hair dye washes out after about 24 shampoos.
      By: esp2k
      Demi-permanent hair dye washes out after about 24 shampoos.
    • When dying hair, it's recommended to wear gloves to prevent staining the hands.
      By: steinerpicture
      When dying hair, it's recommended to wear gloves to prevent staining the hands.
    • Demi-permanent hair dyes do not contain ammonia, unlike permanent hair dyes.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Demi-permanent hair dyes do not contain ammonia, unlike permanent hair dyes.