How Long Does Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Last?

Everyone loves dying hair as it gives them the perfect opportunity to feel like a new person. Trying new hair colors, adding highlights, or creating gradients not only makes it fun but also gives you a different look altogether.

But what if you don’t want to commit to a particular color for too long? Or do you want to stand out at an upcoming event with a new hair color just that one time? Well, then, semi-permanent hair dye is ideal for you.

However, most people wonder how long does semi-permanent hair dye last.

Semi-permanent hair dye lasts about 8 washes. It looks best during the first 2-3 weeks. Your hair porosity, the shade you choose, the application method, and overall aftercare can influence its lifespan. Avoid exposure to heat and chlorine, and wash your hair less frequently to make it last longer.

Semi-permanent hair dye gives you the freedom to experiment without having to commit to a particular hair color. But are you wondering how long it will stay in your hair? It depends on your hair, the color you apply, and how you care for it. Here’s a detailed guide to help you determine that.

Key Takeaways

Semi-permanent hair dye is ideal for anyone, who wants to change their look for a short period of time.
Semi-permanent hair dyes come in many colors and last for about 8 washes.
Different factors can affect the lifespan of semi-permanent dye.
To make semi-permanent hair color last longer, avoid exposure to excessive heat and chlorine, as well as use protective shampoo.

All About The Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

Semi-permanent hair dye is a rage, especially among hair color enthusiasts. It is a type of temporary hair color, also called gloss, that enables you to change the color of your hair for a short time period.

Since this hair dye doesn’t contain any ammonia or peroxide, it coats your hair strand without penetrating or altering them. It ensures the color is gentle on your hair but doesn’t add full or bold color and might even be helpful in covering gray hair.

Every time you wash hair, a little bit of the color will come off and completely wash out in some time.

How Long Can Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Last?

From hair experts to haircare influencers, everyone preaches about how semi-permanent hair dye is great for experimenting with colors. But how long does it actually last? Let’s find out. This type of hair color can last for around 8 washes.

However, in most cases, a temporary hair dye stays best only until the first 2-3 washes. Most users say that they enjoy the best color from the temporary hair dye only during the first 10 days of the application. If you are coloring your hair for an event, you better apply it closer to the day.

Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Semi-permanent Hair Dye

There are several factors that affect how long the semi-permanent hair dye will last. Below, we’ve explained each factor in detail to help you understand how it affects the dye’s lifespan.

Hair Type – Porosity

While the semi-permanent hair color starts fading away with every shampoo, exactly how long it can last for you depends on your hair porosity. It is the ability of your hair strands to absorb as well as retain moisture and hair color.

If you have high-porosity hair, the color will stay for a longer time; however, low-porosity hair is not very absorbent, and the hair color will only accumulate on the surface and wash away much more quickly.

Maintenance Routine

Another important factor that can influence the time the semi-permanent hair dye will last is how you care for your hair. If you follow a proper maintenance regime and take the necessary measures (discussed ahead), you can prolong the life of your semi-permanent hair dye.

Hair Dye You Are Using

The semi-permanent hair dye you are using can also have an impact on how long it lasts. While there are numerous brands present in the market, not all will give you great results. Many people pick cheaper options, but they might have harmful ingredients and not be safe for you.

Application & Processing Time

The application of semi-permanent hair dyes, or direct dyes, doesn’t involve an oxidation process, so you must keep them on for 20-30 minutes. But if you are going for a brighter or darker color, you must leave it for longer. Don’t worry about leaving semi-permanent dye for longer since it won’t dry out your hair.

However, if you take it off early and don’t give the dye the required processing time, you might end up with a faded color that will wash away quickly.

Shade You Choose

If you are going for a blonde or red shade, it might not last for a long time. On the other hand, darker hair colors like brown or black will stay for more time due to the eumelanin content.

Those who want a bold hair color can opt for any of the 25 shades from Lime Crime Amine Hair Color. It is vegan, gentle, smells good, and can also nourish your hair.

Lifestyle

If you lead an active lifestyle that involves a lot of sweating, the chances of your semi-permanent hair color bleeding out are high. Brighter and super-pigmented colors might bleed more, whereas pastel shades might not bleed depending on the shade.

Signs That Your Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Is Fading

Whether you are a seasoned hair color enthusiast or a first-timer, it can be equally confusing to know if the hair dye is fading. Here are a few signs you must look out for:

Color change

If you notice that your hair color now is different than when you did it, it is a clear sign that it is fading away.

Washing Away While Shampooing

When you are washing your hair, if you notice a lot of color washing away with the shampoo, it might indicate that the semi-permanent hair dye is fading away.

If you are noticing these signs, read on to learn how you can make the hair dye last for a longer time!

How Can You Make The Dye Last Longer?

There are a few things you can keep in mind that can help prolong the semi-permanent hair dye. They are:

Avoid Exposure To Excessive Heat

The heat from hot water and styling tools and colored hair is not the ideal combination. Heat can not only dry out your scalp but also strip away the essential oils from your hair.

Exposure to heat lifts the cuticles, which makes the hair color fade away more quickly. Using a flat iron or blow-drying your hair can also make the strands brittle and prone to breaking. You must wash your hair using lukewarm water and limit the use of heat-styling tools.

Use Color-Protecting Shampoo And Conditioner

Your regular shampoo and conditioner might not be helpful in maintaining your semi-permanent hair dye. Here you will need a shampoo that is sulfate free, which will be gentle on your hair, and a conditioner that contains alcohol or silicone to nourish the hair and make them glossy.

You can also opt for a shampoo and conditioner that is color safe to not only keep your hair healthy but also prolong the life of your hair dye.

Avoid Exposing To Chlorine

When you are using semi-permanent hair dye or even any other type of dye, you must avoid chlorine found in a pool. Chlorine can cause discoloration of your hair or even add a green tint. Try to avoid going swimming in a pool right after coloring your hair.

If you want to step in the pool for a swim, you can protect your color with these tips:

Use a pre-swim conditioner to help minimize the damage caused by chlorine exposure.
Before you go in the pool, rinse the hair well to saturate it with water, reducing the chances of chlorine absorption.
Add a protective layer by wearing a swim cap on your hair.
Right after you get out of the pool, shampoo your hair to remove chlorine.
Apply a clarifying conditioner right after swimming to fight the damage caused by chlorine exposure.

Don’t Wash Your Hair Often

When using semi-permanent hair dye, it is best to limit your hair washes. Washing your hair frequently will strip off color, causing it to fade quickly. Try to wash hair less often or use a dry shampoo alternatively to help prolong the color.

Conclusion

As exciting as dying your hair is, it comes with a great responsibility to maintain and care for it to make it last longer. The lifespan of this type of hair dye is only 8 washes, although it looks best only until the first 2-3 shampoos.

However, you can ensure the color stays intact with proper care and maintenance. Avoid exposing your dyed hair to heat styling tools, hot water, or chlorine, use color-protecting shampoo and conditioner, and avoid washing your tresses too often if you want to flaunt your semi-permanent hair dye for weeks!