The allure of brightly colored hair can be hard to resist in the modern era, but the effects of regular hair dye on your locks can be detrimental in the long run. From a color standpoint, permanent dye is almost always preferred over semi-permanent dyes. That’s because permanent dyes ensure that the color will last longer, and semi-permanent dyes can wash out in as few as three washes. On the other hand, semi-permanent dyes are usually cheaper and not as harsh on your hair as their permanent counterparts. The downsides of regular hair dye stem from its permanence, which can lead to dryness and breakage. In this article, we’ll explain why regular hair dye is so damaging and how to get the most out of your next dye job.
Is semi-permanent hair dye damaging?
Yes, If you see yourself as a regular dye user, there are several warning signs that you may be damaging your hair. If your hair becomes brittle and breaks easily, you may have been using too much dye in the past. If your hair turns dull and color fades quickly, you may have been using too light of a dye or applying it to wet hair. If the color doesn’t stay on your locks for more than a few days, then you’re probably not applying enough dye to cover all of your strands.
What Is Semi-Permanent Hair Dye?
The History of Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
Semi-permanent hair dyes first appeared on the market in the 1970s. At the time, semi-permanent dyes were marketed as “natural” dyes that didn’t damage hair. However, it wasn’t long before researchers discovered that these dyes contained ammonia and other harsh chemicals that were damaging to the hair. As a result, many manufacturers began using ammonia-free semi-permanent hair dye formulas instead, and these came to be known as “demi-permanent” (or “demi”) colors. Today, demi-permanent dye is still considered to be a safer alternative to regular semi-permanent dye formulas.
How Semi-Permanent Dye Damages Your Hair
Regular semi-permanent hair dye contains a high concentration of ammonia and peroxide—both of which are harsh chemicals that can cause permanent damage to your hair if you use them on a regular basis. In fact, studies have shown that regular semi-permanent hair dye can cause dryness and breakage in as little as a few months, especially if you use it every six weeks.
How to Get the Most from Semi-Permanent Dye
To get the most out of your semi-permanent hair dye job, you’ll want to use it less often and for shorter durations. The easiest way to do this is by applying semi-permanent hair dye in between your regular color appointments. This will allow you to use less of the product and reduce the risk of damage from prolonged exposure to ammonia and peroxide.
How to Make Semi-Permanent Dye Last Longer
If you want a longer-lasting semi-permanent hair dye job, then you’ll need to use a more intense formula that contains a higher concentration of ammonia or peroxide. To help ensure that your semi-permanent hair dye job lasts as long as possible, follow these tips:
How to Remove Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
Removing semi-permanent hair dye is similar to removing regular permanent color, with one exception: You can’t bleach or lighten your hair after using semi-permanent hair dye. Instead, you’ll need to wait about a week before your semi-permanent hair dye job can be removed, and you’ll want to do this under the supervision of your colorist.
Why Is Regular Hair Dye So Damaging?
It Can Be Irritating
Regular hair dye can irritate your scalp, which can make your hair brittle and dry. This is especially true if you apply the dye near the roots of your hair. If you’re not careful about how much dye you use, it can also cause a lot of damage to the cuticles of your hair. Damage to the cuticles can cause breakage in your strands, and that’s why semi-permanent dyes are often preferred over permanent ones.
It Can Make Your Hair Thinner
Regular hair dye is harsh on your strands because it contains ingredients like ammonia and peroxide that attack the structure of your hair. These ingredients cause damage to the protein component in your strands, which makes fine hairs look thinner than they really are. In addition to damaging protein, regular hair dyes contain other chemicals that may also negatively affect your strands. That’s because some chemicals in regular dyes are known to be carcinogens.
It Can Cause Damage to Your Scalp
Regular hair dye can make your scalp itchy, which is a sign that the product may be irritating your skin. Hair dye can also cause damage to your scalp, which can lead to breakage and dryness later on in life. Regular hair dye is also known to cause irritation in the follicles of your scalp, which can lead to breakage later on down the road. If you have sensitive skin, regular hair dyes may not be for you because they contain chemicals that can irritate it.
It May Be Harmful if You Use Too Much of It
Regular hair dyes contain ingredients like ammonia and peroxide that are known to be damaging to your strands. That’s why you should apply the product sparingly and use a minimal amount of dye so as not to damage your strands too much in the long run. You should also avoid applying too much dye near the roots of your hair since that can damage the cuticles of your hair.
It Can Make Your Hair Duller
Regular hair dye contains ingredients that are known to be damaging to your strands, especially if you apply too much of it. That’s why you should avoid applying too much dye near the roots of your hair and make sure that you use a specific amount of dye so as not to overdo it.
It Can Cause Dryness and Breakage Later on in Life
Regular hair dyes contain chemicals that can cause dryness and breakage in your strands later on in life. If this happens, then you may end up losing lots of hair or having to color your hair often, which can be expensive and time-consuming. You should avoid regular hair dyes if you want to promote healthy strands because they can be damaging for them later on in life.
The Dangers Of Hair Dye
1. Regular Hair Dye Is Damaging
Regular hair dye is a lot like regular plastic surgery. It can be a great way to change your appearance and make you feel more confident, but it can also be damaging. The most prominent damage from regular hair dye stems from the chemical process that goes into coloring your hair. Regular dyes are very strong chemicals that break down your hair’s structure and leave it brittle, dry, and prone to breakage. Even the best chemical dyes aren’t all that great for your hair, and they can only last up to six weeks before fading away completely. If you have damaged or thinning hair, you may want to skip the permanent dye altogether because it will only make things worse.
2. Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Is More Damaging Than Regular Hair Dye
Semi-permanent dyes are similar to permanent dyes in many ways. They both contain harsh chemicals that can damage your hair, but semi-permanent dyes are also more expensive and can only last about a month before fading away. They’re also not as strong as their permanent counterparts, so they won’t break down your hair quite as much. Semi-permanent dyes are still pretty damaging in the long run, but they aren’t nearly as damaging as regular hair dye.
3. Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Is Expensive
Semi-permanent dyes are usually more expensive than their permanent counterparts because they contain a lot of chemicals. That being said, it is possible to get semi-permanent dyes that don’t cost that much money. The more expensive semi-permanent dyes usually contain a higher concentration of chemicals that last longer before fading away than cheaper ones do. Still, semi-permanent dyes aren’t free of charge and will cost you at least $10 per package. If you’re willing to spend a little extra money on your hair, then semi-permanent dyes are probably the way to go.
4. Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Can Be Dangerous
Semi-permanent dyes can be just as dangerous as regular hair dyes because they contain a lot of chemicals. It is important to always be careful when using chemicals on your hair, but semi-permanent dyes are even more dangerous than their permanent counterparts because they contain more chemicals and last longer before fading away. They also leave you with less time to take care of your damaged hair before it fades away completely. If you use semi-permanent dye on a daily basis, it will damage your hair faster than regular dye does, so it’s important to wash your hair every few days regardless of whether or not you’re using permanent or semi-permanent dye.
Conclusion
If you’ve been itching to experiment with your hair color, semi-permanent dyes are a great place to start. These dyes are formulated to only last a few weeks, so you can try a new color once or twice before washing it out. Semi-permanent dyes can be a cheap way to experiment with new hair colors, but they are not “safe” for your hair. Regular hair dye is not “boosted” by your body’s melanin and is instead loaded with harsh chemicals and has been proven to be carcinogenic in lab settings. In addition to all of this, regular hair dye is not “boosted” by your body’s melanin and is instead loaded with harsh chemicals and has been proven to be carcinogenic in lab settings.