Boise Hair Salon
Demi Permanent or Permanent Hair Color – What is best for you?
There are so many hair color options available in the world today. Many options are tailored to those who want to save a little money and apply color at home. Whether you want to complete your own color application at home, or go to your favorite Boise Hair Salon, knowing the difference between demi/semi permanent and permanent hair color can be helpful in choosing what is best for you.
When it comes to non-permanent hair color, there are many options. There are color-depositing shampoos and foams, hair mascara that covers roots, or spray on color that is all meant to be washed out with one shampoo. Then there’s, semi-permanent color which washes out over a period of time (six to 12 shampoos, depending upon the formula), so if you don’t like the color, it won’t cause you too much distress because you’ll know that it’s temporary. The other benefit is that you won’t have have noticeable roots. These options can be safely done at home with no long-term consequences.
If you don’t want to commit to permanent hair color, then a longer-lasting option is Demi-Permanent Color. Most salon-quality demis do not contain ammonia and will not lighten the hair. These colors are often used as toners, but can also be used to give a temporary color reflection or subtle change from your existing color. It can deepen and intensify your natural color, cancel out unwanted tones in the hair, or add a temporary change to lightened hair. The difference between semi and demi-permanent color is that demi lasts 12-26 washes, depending on the formula. You will also not have to worry about a harsh demarcation line on your roots with demi permanent haircolor. This is also a great option for those who just want to cover up a few grey hairs or add temporary lowlights/fashion colors to lightened hair. The demi permanent hair color formula will not penetrate into the hair. They are designed to sit on top of the hair only and this is what allows these colors to slowly fade away.
If you know what you want, or if what you want requires more change to the hair, you will have to use a permanent hair color. The great thing about permanent hair color is that it won’t wash out. It must be grown out because it is designed to penetrate deeply into the cortex of the hair. Permanent hair color is needed if you want a more dramatic change to your natural hair by two or more shades lighter or darker. Peroxide and ammonia work together to both remove your hair’s pigment and deposit the new color into the hair. You will have a demarcation line at the root which will require touch ups every 6-8 weeks. Even though permanent hair color can not be washed out, it does not necessarily mean that you can not change the color of your hair once it’s on your head. Making a change at that point though, does require an experienced colorist who understands their color line and color theory. Permanent color is the best option for grey coverage because it is a stronger formula which combats the stubborn cuticles of grey strands. Lightening products also change the color of the hair permanently. In addition to changing the color of the hair, lighteners also significantly change the structure of the hair. Tease Boise Hair Salon strongly cautions anyone against attempting to use lightening products in a non-professional, unlicensed setting. A simple “hair fails” search of the internet will reveal plenty of disasters that demonstrate the power of these products which includes complete loss of one’s hair and chemical burns to the skin.
It is important to carefully consider the more permanent options. Certain choices that you make will not be reversible. For example, if you lighten your hair to the lightest blonde and then use a harsh dye to re-darken it again, you are then not able to go back and re-lighten that hair to a pale blonde. Doing so will cause it to break off because the hair has already been stripped of it’s integrity and structure during the previous lightening. It is also important to have realistic expectations if you wish to go from very dark to very blonde. As much as all Boise Hair Salons would love to make this happen in an instant for our clients, it’s often times not possible. Going from very dark hair to very light hair is a process that any good stylist will tell you, must be done over time. Certain products that are available for home use are almost impossible to get out of the hair. Most Boise Hair Salons will advise all clients to avoid permanent home use products to avoid getting stuck with a color or limited by its use. No Boise Hair Salon wants to turn away business, but as professionals, we have a duty to protect the public and can not always safely give the client what they want. With this in mind, our Boise Hair Salon will always get your written consent and have all expected outcomes outlined on that consent form so that you are fully informed about the risks and benefits of receiving a chemical service with us, the length of time that the color is expected to last, and the nature of any permanent decisions that you are making. With that understanding, it is a comfort for clients to know that professional hair color used in salons is much more gentle on the hair than that which is purchased for home use. When in the hands of a competent professional, the are so many options, and you will find that you can safely change your hair with the season, for a special occasion, or just because you want a change!
