Semi-permanent and temporary hair colours penetrate your hair's cuticle (protective outer layer) to gain access to the cortex (inner layer) where your hair's pigment is contained. Therefore, they can cause moisture loss from your hair, and subsequent dryness.
Tldr: no, semi permanant will not damage your hair. But it may stain it for a while, or even permanently.
A common pitfall that many people fall into, and should be avoided is shampooing after applying semi-permanent hair color. Following your initial application of semi-permanent hair color, it is important to not shampoo your hair.
Salons use semi-permanent color to add depth to your color, grow out permanent color, or add gloss and shine to your strands. “It can even create a highlighted look, depending on the hair and the shade selected,” Shade says.
It will go back to the original color... As it grows out. The rest of it will stay darker and gradually fade back toward your natural color, but will take a long time and will look significantly darker still.
Less Damage to Hair Structure:Since semi-permanent dyes don't contain ammonia or peroxide, they are less damaging compared to permanent dyes. They don't significantly alter the hair's natural structure or cause excessive dryness and brittleness.
Use an at-home hair dye remover.
You can remove semi-permanent hair dye with an at-home hair color remover, such as L'Oréal Paris Colorist Secrets Haircolor Remover.
It doesn't permanently alter or lighten hair like permanent color, and is a great option if you're looking to cover the first signs of gray, darken your hair, or want to try something new - without the long-term commitment.
Apply the semi-permanent hair color on dry or damp hair. Towel-dried hair will allow it to soak up the color better. Spread the color evenly onto the desired areas. Make sure that you carefully follow all the directions of the application as mentioned in the instructions.
Comparing Permanent, Semi-Permanent, and Demi-Permanent Hair Dyes. Permanent hair color has the greatest potential for hair damage due to the chemistry involved and should be done most cautiously.
So through our skin or hair follicles, compounds in hair dye could get into our bloodstream. That's potentially worrisome, because a lot of the chemicals in hair dye are known or suspected to be linked to health issues. One common precursor is paraphenylenediamine, or PPD, which is derived from petroleum.
The best thing to do is to avoid shampooing directly after dyeing your hair. Instead, rinse with cold or lukewarm water to avoid washing the color away.
Hair dyes can absolutely cause hair breakage and loss. Using less harsh chemicals, spreading out treatments, and deep conditioning your hair can limit that damage, however.
Damage-free shades
As we said before, semi-permanent color is ammonia-free, which means it only tints the surface of strands without impacting the inner cortex.
Black hair dye contains a lot of pigment, which can cause irritations on your skin and hair. Your hair also has to endure more so it's important to use a black hair dye of good quality. Most black hair dye contains a lot of chemicals and substances that dry out and damage your hair.
Certain harsh chemicals in popular box dyes have given many stylists pause. Common concerns include: Ammonia - This mixing agent lifts cuticles to deposit colour but is quite drying over time. Peroxide - High volumes like 30+ developer cause more damage to delicate hair.
Opt for hair dyes made with natural colorants like henna, indigo, cassia, beetroot, coffee, and other plant-derived ingredients. These natural hair dye options allow you to color your hair without harsh chemicals like ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, and peroxide commonly found in conventional dyes.
Is Semi-Permanent Hair Color Damaging? No, semi-permanent hair color isn't damaging. Because it only tints the surface of strands – not the inside – it has no effect on the internal structure and condition of the hair.
It is possible for your hair to go back to its natural color after using semi-permanent hair color. Unlike permanent hair dyes, semi-permanent dyes do not contain ammonia or bleach, so they don't permanently change the hair's structure.
The two best ways to dye your hair brown naturally involve using henna or coffee. Whichever method you use, spread the dye onto your hair using your fingers after you've mixed it, making sure it covers each strand thoroughly.
Hot Water and Frequent Washing:
Washing your hair more often can significantly speed up the colour-removal process. Use a strong shampoo that does not contain conditioner. Saving the conditioning for when you are happy that the colour has been removed.