Why do hairdressers not use permanent hair dye?

Author: Jerald Cronin  |  Last update: Thursday, June 5, 2025

The chemical process used in permanent hair dye can cause damage to the hair, making it more prone to breakage and dryness. Additionally, since the colour is permanent, mistakes or regrets can only be easily fixed without further damaging the hair.

Why should you not use permanent hair dye?

Since permanent color is a chemical process that occurs inside the hair fiber, it can break a number of the structural bonds (disulfides) that hold the protein strands together and can leave your color treated hair brittle, porous, and more damage-prone.

Do hairdressers use permanent hair dye?

What kind of hair color do salons use? Salons typically use professional hair dyes that are formulated to deliver high-quality, long-lasting results. These include: Permanent Hair Dye: This type requires a developer and offers the longest-lasting color, covering gray hair effectively.

Why do hairdressers only use semi-permanent?

Unlike permanent color, semi-permanent hair color doesn't penetrate the hair shaft—so it isn't as damaging to strands.

Is it better to use permanent or semi-permanent hair dye?

Permanent hair color changes the structure of hair, making it the most reliable way to cover every last gray. For those who don't have a full head of silver they're looking to cover, semi-permanent is a less damaging alternative.

I NEVER use permanent hair color to TONE. EVER. A hair stylist tells you why...

How damaging is permanent hair dye?

However, this longevity also comes with potential downsides. The chemical process used in permanent hair dye can cause damage to the hair, making it more prone to breakage and dryness.

Should I get permanent or non permanent hair dye?

Permanent hair colour penetrates the hair cuticle, altering the structure of the hair shaft in order for the colour to be locked in permanently. Semi-permanent colour, however, is deposited on the outside of the hair shaft. Without anything locking it into place, the colour is temporary.

What hair color do most salons use?

Continue reading to find out about some of the most popular hair tints used in salons today.
  • Wella Professionals. ...
  • Redken. ...
  • Schwarzkopf Professional. ...
  • Matrix. ...
  • Pravana. ...
  • Paul Mitchell. ...
  • Goldwell. ...
  • Davines. Davines prioritizes sustainability and natural ingredients without sacrificing color performance.

Will my hair go back to blonde after semi-permanent dye?

"At the end of the day, even though semi and demi aren't permanent, for the most part, they don't fully wash out. If you're blonde and you did a dark brown semi-permanent, don't expect to be blonde again in 12 washes."

What are the disadvantages of semi-permanent hair dye?

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.

What is the least damaging salon hair dye?

You can even change your hair colour to match your mood!
  • Arctic-Fox Semi-Permanent Colour. ...
  • Khadi Natural Hair Colour. ...
  • Clairol Natural Instincts Demi-Permanent Hair dye. ...
  • Madison Reed Radiant Hair Colour Kit. ...
  • IGK Hair. ...
  • Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded Hair Colour. ...
  • Wella Professionals Illumina Colour Permanent Hair Colour.

Can I put permanent color over highlights?

Yes, it is possible to apply an all-over color over existing highlights. However, there are a few factors to consider before proceeding: 1. Starting Color: The starting color of your highlights will affect the outcome when applying an all-over color.

Is semi-permanent hair dye better for grey hair?

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.

Which is the safest hair color?

Completely toxin-free clean hair dye includes options like henna and vegetable-based natural hair dyes that are semi-permanent. It's important to know that while they're kinder to your health and the environment, their results might not be as uniform or long-lasting as those of their chemical-laden counterparts.

How damaging is box dye?

Box dyes often contain strong chemicals that can over-processed hair, making it dry and brittle. These chemicals can react unpredictably with other hair treatments, causing damage.

Does permanent hair dye damage hair more than semi-permanent?

Semi-permanent hair dye is less damaging to your hair than permanent dye because it doesn't penetrate as deep into the hair shaft [2]. It is designed to mainly coat the outer shaft of your hair, meaning much of the inner hair cortex is protected from damage.

How to remove permanent hair dye naturally?

Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda can be an effective way to remove permanent hair dye naturally because of its lightening properties. Try mixing baking soda with lemon juice, which is acidic, to create a paste. Then, work the paste through your hair, allow it to sit for five minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

Can you go lighter with permanent hair color?

Adding permanent hair color on top of hair with permanent hair color will affect the results, especially when trying to go lighter! The new, lighter hair color will mix with the current color to create a shade that looks different from the box.

What is the best hair dye to cover grey?

Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Permanent Colour

A natural-looking colour that effectively covers grey is what most look for at an at-home hair dye, and you'll find exactly that in this one. There's a wide range of shades to choose from too, from a Honey Blonde, all the way through to Infinite Black.

Why is salon hair color so expensive?

Salon dye jobs are often more expensive than home dye kits, but they may offer more customized results and be less damaging to your hair. Additionally, salon stylists have the training and expertise to assess your hair type and recommend the best dye for your hair, ensuring a longer-lasting and more vibrant color.

What is the most wanted hair color?

According to the survey, the majority of men (42%) found blonde hair to be the most attractive. This was followed by brunette (36%), red (16%), black (5%), and gray (1%).

What is the healthiest permanent hair dye?

Phyto Phytocolor Permanent Hair Color

An ammonia-free formula that contains plant-derived pigments and oils like jojoba and coconut oil, Phyto was the winner of the GH Beauty Lab's most recent at-home hair color test.

Does permanent hair dye cover grey?

If you know what colour you want to showcase for the next few months, you have a lot of grey hair to cover and want to save time and save money, permanent hair dye is for you! It will allow you to cover without exception the grey hair, but also to drastically change hair colour if your heart desires.

What permanent hair color lasts the longest?

As a general rule of thumb, darker colors tend to stay on the hair for longer. So, if you're adding lowlights, a root shadow or all-over depth, the shade will offer more mileage than, for example, light blondes, light browns or light reds. The same goes for pastel colors versus rainbow colors.

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