Is demi-permanent hair color damaging?

Smiling black girl with green demi permanent hair dyed low cut hair

 When hair color enthusiasts wished for a hair dye formula that didn't have to strip off their natural hair melanin, demi-permanent hair color was created. Many say it is not as harsh as a permanent hair dye but does that mean it is damage free?

The real question is; Is demi-permanent hair dye any less damaging than permanent hair dye?

You would have to continue reading to find out!

What is demi-permanent hair color?

Demi permanent application tools aesthetic product photography

  In-between semi-permanent and permanent hair dye exists demi-permanent hair dye. When individuals want their color result to be more lasting than semi-permanent hair dye but less harsher than permanent, they opt for demi-permanent hair dye. This type of dye lasts between 12 to 24 washes and is popularly known to contain no ammonia, i.e it is a deposit-only hair color. Ammonia is in charge of stripping the natural color from your hair. So that means that, since demi-permanent hair dye doesn't have ammonia, it deposits the pigment on top of your natural hair color instead of stripping it off like permanent hair dye.

Most people use demi-permanent hair dye to:

  1. Enhance contours
  2. Cover greys slightly
  3. lowlights
  4. Top up permanent hair color

Is demi-permanent hair color damaging?

Girl with curly hair parting her hair for dyeing
 Yes, demi-permanent hair dye may be a less harsher option compared to permanent hair dye, but that doesn't make it any less damaging. Demi-permanent hair color works by depositing its pigment through the hair cuticle and into the first layer of your hair. So although it contains no ammonia, most demi-permanent hair colors are mixed with a 10-volume developer to raise your hair cuticles for the pigment to penetrate through. This process leaves your hair with an increased porosity and a higher chance of hair breakage.
    Apart from the restructuring of your hair strands, you can't lighten your hair with demi-permanent hair color. This is one major difference with demi-permanent hair color and temporary hair color gels, the latter will give your hair a burst of color, no matter the your natural hair color, and do so without the need for bleach.
  If you desire to go more than two shades higher than your natural hair color with demi-permanent hair color, you would need to bleach your hair. So although demi-permanent colors are available in a wide range of shades, it is very limiting, especially if you have black curly hair with high porosity. High porosity hair carries the risk of over-processing because of it's wide hair pores.

The best alternative to demi-permanent hair color

Curlfit hair color gels on blue background
   The best hair color option to consider for your hair (especially black curly hair) is temporary hair color wax. Although it isn't as long-lasting as demi permanent hair dye, it is the safest way to give your hair a burst of color without fear of hair damage. With hair wax color, you wouldn't need bleach to take your black hair to bright pink or white, because hair wax color technology is designed to coat the topmost layer of your hair strand rather than penetrate through like demi-permanent hair color. Curlfit even goes the extra mile to include hydrating ingredients like silk protein, argan oil, and almond oil that improve hair elasticity, maintain your natural shine, and accentuate your curl pattern. 
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We hope this blog gave you a deeper insight into demi-permanent hair color, its pros and cons, and the best alternative for a damage-free hair dye process.

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