The quickest way to get a whole new you without spending a lot of money is to change your hair color. If you’ve never done this before, the prospect may seem at once thrilling and anxiety provoking. There are a number of different hair color products and they all fall into the following categories: temporary, semi permanent, demi, and permanent hair color. The semi permanent hair color is great for people who want to change their color, but may not want to make it permanent. It can give you more time than the temporary colors to decide whether you like the look, but you don’t have to worry about it being permanent.
How Does A Semi Permanent Hair Color Work?
Semi permanent hair color works by penetrating the hair shaft to make the color last longer than a temporary hair color. It doesn’t last forever, however, and will be gone after about 8 to 14 shampoo cycles. They don’t include a developer and are therefore less caustic to the hair than permanent hair colors. Since they are not permanent, it can be difficult to get a good red tone from a semi permanent hair color.
Is Henna Semi Permanent?
Henna is a natural plant-based dye that is natural and less damaging to the hair than commercial hair colors. There are a number of different opinions on whether henna is semi permanent or not. You can get deep reds with henna that last a bit longer, unlike some of the other semi permanent colors.
The thing is that henna coats the hair shaft with color and that is what reflects light. It makes the hair seem thicker and glossier, but it also is quite permanent in that you won’t be able to dye it with any commercial products once it is dyed with henna. Although the color may not last, the product may remain in the hair and most beauticians will refuse to use a commercial hair color product on top of hair that has been subjected to henna. The reason is that the two products interact and can turn the hair bright green. So, if you are committed to only using henna and natural products, then you won’t be worried about wanting to dye your hair at a hair salon with commercial products. If you want to keep that option open, then avoid using henna. The color may be semi permanent, but the effects of henna on the hair can interact with commercial dyes in unexpected and unpleasant ways.
Semi Permanent Hair Color Benefits
Regardless of whether you try henna or use a semi permanent hair color available from the commercial market, either option does not dry out the hair or damage it as much as permanent hair color. Of course, if your hair is in good shape before you do the color, you can use any product and your hair can take a little wear and tear. If you don’t like the color with henna, you will have to re-dye it with more henna, maybe using black or go to a hairstylist who knows how to remove henna.