Demi vs Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Semi-permanent hair color fades fairly quickly, between 5 to 12 washes. Exactly how long it will last depends on your hair’s porosity, your washing frequency and shampoo, sun exposure and the type of products you use. Porous hair tends to fade faster because, while it holds color easily, it lets go of it just as easily. Similarly shampoos and products with sulfates and other harsh ingredients can cause color to fade faster. Most semi-permanent colors fade away naturally, so they don’t grow out with a line of demarcation at the root.

Now that you know everything there is to know about semi-permanent, what is demi-permanent hair color? Demi-permanent color is as close to permanent as you can get without fully committing. It’s ammonia-free but requires a developer (a low level of peroxide) to activate. The process very slightly lifts the cuticle so that color molecules can penetrate the first layers of the hair shaft. Demi-permanent hair color is less active than permanent color, meaning that some demi-permanent color only has the ability to lift one level. Davines' View is an acidic demi-permanent color system which cannot affect your hair's natural color, whereas The Present Time can shift your natural coloring since it is an alkaline system. Even within demi-permanent colors you have the ability to decide what level of commitment works best for you.

Demi-permanent hair color is a little more permanent than semi-permanent, but less permanent than permanent color. How long does demi-permanent hair color last? Like with semi-permanent, this depends on the products you use and the condition of your hair. Highly porous hair may fade more quickly, but demi-permanent colors can last for up to 28 washes.

So which hair color is right for you? Demi-permanent hair color is safe for most hair types, but if you’re someone who likes to change your color often, semi-permanent is probably best for you. The same goes if you’ve got strands that are very porous, dry or damaged. Toners, glosses and other semi-permanent color-depositing products fade naturally and can easily be washed out if they need to be. But everyone’s hair is different, so the best option is one that matches your preferences. Your colorist can help you decide whether semi or demi-permanent color is right for you based on your current condition and lifestyle.

Preserve the life of your demi and semi-permanent color the same way you would with permanent. Limit how often you wash your hair, and when you do shampoo, use a color safe protective shampoo, like the one from our MINU line. It gently cleanses colored hair while boosting hydration and adding shine. Follow with the protective conditioner, from the same MINU line. It preserves and nourishes colored hair, keeping it vibrant longer while promoting hydration, softness and combability. Use color-safe, sulfate-free products and moisturize often by incorporating a colored hair mask into your routine, like the deeply nourishing one from MINU. Limit heat styling your colored strands and when you do use heat, prep with a protective hair serum, like the last of the Illuminating and protective products for colored hair in our MINU line. For an extra touch of protection and softness between washes, finish with the Beautiful Things Restoring Leave-In Mask to revive color, repair damage, and leave hair silky, weightless, and radiant.

 Another way to create longevity with your semi and demi-permanent color is to maintain it at home with temporary color that deposits pigments to enhance and rejuvenate your color. Davines' Alchemic shampooing and conditioning system does exactly that. This line is an array of color-deposing products made with pure pigments to intensify and brighten both natural and cosmetic color. 

The best part about semi and demi-permanent hair colors is that you don’t have to live with a color you don’t like for long. You can speed up the fading process by using a clarifying shampoo, followed by a hydrating conditioner because clarifying shampoos can be drying. If you want to go darker, blend your grays, tone highlights or brassiness, refresh or try a bold new color or tint, semi and demi-permanent hair color is the way to go.