How Long Does Permanent Hair Color Last?

What is a “Permanent” Hair Dye?

Written by Kate Holmsy. Updated on How long does permanent hair color last

Hair coloring is one of the main parts of the work on your style.

Thinking about new hair color ideas?

Properly selected color, along with a haircut, revitalizes all the style, brings a touch of personality to it, and allows you to change at any time. The color dye can be different. Everyone knows that hair color is permanent and non-permanent. 

But here is the main difference between permanent hair color from all other colors and what semi permanent hair dye is!

How long does permanent hair color last?  

Permanent color means permanent.

Of course, there is no hair color that will ever change the color of your hair, so this term is used for the most persistent type of dye.

The basis of such dyes is ammonia, or its analog, a substance that allows the dye composition to penetrate deep into the structure of the hair and replace the existing color pigment with a new one.

In this case, the bonds between the molecules inside the hair are destroyed, and then new ones are built – it is due to this that the permanent hair color lasts so long.

How the permanent hair dye works?

how long does permanent hair color last
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Ammonia or ammonium hydroxide acts aggressively on the hair: it raises the scales of the hair, passing the coloring composition inside.

There are a chemical reaction of ammonia with hydrogen peroxide takes place, due to which the hair swells, and its natural color pigment is completely destroyed and replaced by pigment from paint.

Permanent coloring Precautions

Ammonia is incredibly volatile – that is why we all can smell permanent hair dye while visiting a salon or while dying at home, in the most exceptional cases, ammonia fumes can even cause an allergic reaction.

how long does semi permanent hair color last
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Therefore, in order not to get a headache, it is recommended to paint in a well-ventilated room – this also applies to cases of permanent dyeing at home, and when dyeing in beauty salons.

The composition of permanent hair dye, of course, irritates the skin of your head. However, you should check if you are allergic to one of the components of the dye.

To do this, apply the composition to a free area of ​​the skin and wait for a quarter of an hour: if redness or itching occurs, it is better to refuse permanent dye with this composition.

Advantages and disadvantages of permanent hair dye

Modern compositions based on ammonia or its analogs are recognized as safe, but permanent paint has not only advantages but also disadvantages. Let us dwell on the pros and cons of such staining in more detail.

The advantages of permanent hair dye

  • Persistent: color lasts up to 7-8 weeks!
  • Coops with gray hair: 100% shaded gray hair!
  • Vivid color: truly rich shades for every taste.

Cons of permanent hair dye

  • Bad smell
  • The need for a long scalp and hair rehabilitation period.
  • It is difficult to repaint in a different color or return to a natural shade!
  • Paint completely destroys the hair structure!
how long does permanent hair color last
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Permanent and semi-permanent hair color: what is the difference?

How long does semi permanent hair color last?

Semi permanent hair color is ammonia-free hair dye, and this is its main difference from the permanent dye. Semi-permanent hair dye contains hydrogen peroxide in small doses and less destructive ingredients as an activated peroxide.

permanent hair color
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Semi-permanent paint has a number of features:

  • It is less persistent than permanent.
  • The structure of the hair when stained does not collapse.
  • No unpleasant smell during the procedure.
  • Does not dye over gray hair 100%.

How long does semi permanent hair dye last?

Caring components are added to many semi permanent hair dye: thus, coloring turns not only into an style-making but also into a haircare event. For example, MATRIX Color Sync ammonia-free dyes contain a complex of ceramides that have a conditioning effect – it lasts up to 20 shampoo applications!

“Hair dye from the mass market category is a product that is designed in such a way that a person cannot harm himself and his hair. Salon compositions are designed for the professionals who can choose the desired oxide concentration (and, as a result, the color intensity) depending on the type of hair and the goals of a particular person.

The professional palette is much wider than usual – there are more shades, but also more nuances.

And another important quality of salon dyeing is that the stylist, mixing the hair colors, and can add various care components to it – again, depending on your hair needs. ”

Frequently Asked Questions

When we decide to dye our hair, we all want to be sure that the color will last as long as possible. However, many women ask whether permanent dye fades and if yes, how soon after being applied. Well, to clarify this question, we have prepared this FAQ list for you.

Will Permanent Hair Color Fade? 

Even if you use high-quality permanent hair color, it will still start fading one day and there is nothing you can do with it unless using some preventive methods like shampoos or other care products with a color protective effect.

Why does it happen? Because our hair is exposed to different external factors like sunshine, UV influence, heat and moisture, and many others. And many of us do use those styling supplies like hairdryers and hair irons, right? And they are not so good to the hair color, too.

Is Permanent Hair Dye Damaging?

Probably, the most frequent question asked by women. The answer depends on the ingredients of your dye. If it contains ammonia and peroxide, it will be quite harmful to your hair and this is why. 

Permanent hair color has stronger chemicals to make it last longer without fading which means that its influence on hair is also more intensive. Peroxide, for example, breaks your natural hair color whilst ammonia gets beyond the hair cuticle by lifting it up which damages hair badly.

Is Semi-Permanent Hair Color Safe?

Is Semi Permanent Hair Color Safe
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Comparing to the permanent hair dye, semi-permanent one seems to be less harmful as it doesn’t contain harsh elements, ammonia, and peroxide, and also doesn’t get into the hair structure covering it only from outside.

One more advantage is that semi-permanent colors don’t last for long (maximum of six weeks).

Besides, now you can find various labels producing semi-permanent dyes that contain natural oils to protect and nourish your hair.

Can Permanent Hair Color Be Removed?

Despite its name, a permanent dye can be removed from your hair. As long as it sticks to your hair after oxidation, using reduction will help best. One of the ways to do that is to use ascorbic acid by mixing some lemon juice and clarifying shampoo.

How To Make Your Hair Dye Last LongerHow To Make Your Hair Dye Last Longer

How to Strip Permanent Hair Color?

If for some reason you decided to remove your permanent dye, you can use several methods.

Either use special hair color remover or apply a home-made method. You can try powdered vitamin C mixed with shampoo, dish soap or anti-dandruff shampoo. Also, lemon juice or baking soda and shampoo paste will work well. Or simply go to the salon and ask them to do that.

Best Permanent Hair Color for Grey Hair?

permanent hair color grey hair
Photo by Anastasiya Lobanovskaya from Pexels

Nobody likes to find gray hairs in their locks! To hide them, use the most fitting shades.

For example, natural dark blonde, ultra light ash blonde, medium golden blonde, light beige or strawberry blonde will work well. Also, you can try light auburn, dark red, ginger, chestnut brown or beep dark brown (or even darker shades). Soft black will also fit.

Anyway, choose depending on your skin tone and color type.

What Permanent Hair Color Without Ammonia Works Best?

Natural, Organic, & Ammonia-Free Hair Dyes' Dirty Little SecretNatural, Organic, & Ammonia-Free Hair Dyes’ Dirty Little Secret

Ammonia ruins our hair making it weak and dry. To avoid it, use ammonia-free dye, luckily today there are many of those on the market!

The best labels that proved themselves to be effective and that offer ammonia-free products are Garnier, L’Oreal, Clairol, Revlon, and ONC.   

Read Next: What Color To Dye Over Green Hair When it’s Time For Changes?

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Kate worked in "The Fashion Magazine" for four years as a freelance writer and loved to consult and help people with their style. How to create your own style, how to look beautiful, and select trendy colors for your hair - these are just a few of many issues Kate will happily explain in Beezzly Beauty blogs!
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here.
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