Q&A for How to Dye Your Hair With Semi Permanent Hair Dye

You should apply a semi-permanent color to clean, damp hair. Make sure it has been thoroughly towel-dried. If it is too wet it won't properly absorb the color.

Semi-permanent color is a stain that begins to fade with the first shampoo. Demi-permanent is similar to a very mild form of permanent color as it chemically deposits color molecules under the cuticle for a longer-lasting effect.

It depends on the type of color you are applying. Permanent color should be applied to dry hair. Semi-permanent color will be absorbed the best on freshly-washed and toweled-dry hair.

Semi-permanent dye is a very mild form of color that will not damage hair. Unlike permanent color, it doesn't change the hair through a chemical process but rather stains it with pigment.

You can dye your hair with a darker semi-permanent hair dye to cover your bright color.

No, you should use a color care shampoo to keep your color bright.

Yes, your color can fade from washing it. Try to minimize how often you wash your hair.

No. Black dye will cover anything, you'll be fine without it.

Yes, but put a shower cap on (after applying the hair dye). Then, use the blow dryer on your shower-capped head for about ten minutes, being sure not to hold the dryer too close). Then rinse your head with cool water, followed by a cold rinse and a conditioning.

You can usually buy bleach at any store that sells hair dye, but it would be a better idea to get your hair bleached professionally. A lot can go wrong while bleaching your own hair.

Yes. When your hair is wet, the water blocks the dye from really getting to the hair shaft and latching on. Same deal with any conditioner. So just wash with shampoo, don't use conditioner, and let it dry completely first. You need your hair to be bone dry.

Rinse with warm water until the water runs clear, then do a final rinse with cold for a few seconds to close the hair cuticle. Avoid ever using hot water on your hair, as it can be damaging.

It depends on how vibrant you want the color to be. I suggest doing a strand test first, then making a decision about bleaching from there.

If you bleach your hair, it will stay like that (except for the roots, of course).

Only if your hair is black/brown, but bleached hair will have a more vibrant color.

Yes, if your child is okay with it.

You can buy it at most stores that sell hair dye. A beauty supply store such as Sally Beauty will definitely have it, but you can probably find some at your local Walgreens.

The only risk I see is the possibility of the color transferring from underneath the covering onto your skin, clothes and sheets. Leaving the color in overnight will make it take a lot better and make the color brighter after you rinse it in the morning.

Usually, when you rinse after applying dye, there'll be a lot of dye that comes out. But if none of the color stuck, you should try a different brand or pre-lighten your hair. It could be that your hair is too dark.

In the mechanical sense, no. It will not make the permanent color blend into the hair any better physically. However, in terms of the color, yes, using a semi-permanent color after you dye your hair with a permanent color will add to the colors you already deposited. For instance, if your hair turned out too red, you can add a semi-permanent color to counteract the red.

If you have wash-out color still in your hair when you dye it, it may make it more difficult for the semi-permanent dye to penetrate your hair very well, so I would be careful about that.

If you're bleaching your hair, then you should keep it on for 15-30 minutes. If you're dying your hair, then I would aim for 30 to 45 minutes.

Yes, you can.

Pour the dye into a non-metal bowl and use the color/tint brush to evenly coat your hair.

If you dye your hair while it is still damp, it might not even color your hair enough, and you might have discoloration. Also, black semi-permanent dye would wash out eventually, I'm sure, but it may take longer than other colors.

No, you don't. Semi-permanent colors do not need developer.

Yes. It doesn't have the same chemicals as permanent dye, so it is safer to leave in.

Yes. Once your hair is dry you can begin to dye. You don't need to wait a whole day. Just make sure your hair is not wet during the process, as water cancels out the dye.

Yes, it will. You can't really prevent it, but wearing a swim cap will minimize the damage.

Yes, especially the first week. Put print pillowcases on your pillows and use dark colored towels when drying your hair after washing it.