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

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Question

Can you put a semi-permanent color on wet hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

What is the difference between semi- and demi-permanent hair color?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Do you dye your hair when it's wet or dry?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Is semi-permanent dye damaging to hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

How do I remove a bright semi-permanent color from my hair?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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

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Question

Do I need neutralizing shampoo after applying demi- or semi-permanent hair color?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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

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Question

Is it possible to wash out hair color?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

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

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Question

If I have brown hair, do I need to bleach it to dye it black?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Should I use a blow dryer on my hair after applying the dye?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I bleach my hair if I have brown hair?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Should my hair be completely dry before applying semi permanent hair color?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Should I rinse my hair with hot or cold water?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

If my hair is brown, but not that dark, do I really need to use bleach on it?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Is it possible to maintain the bleached color of my hair after the semi permanent dye is all out?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Do I really need to use bleach?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I dye my kids hair?

Community Answer

Yes, if your child is okay with it.

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Question

Where can I get the bleach to put in my hair?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

I want to dye a small amount of hair, wrap it up in something, and go to sleep. Is there anything wrong with washing it out in the morning? Is there any risk?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

I dyed my hair with semi-permanent hair dye, then rinsed after 40 minutes. The dye came out. Should I wait longer?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Is it possible to use semi-perm hair dye over permanent hair color in order to blend it in better?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can I put a semi-permanent over a wash in/out color or do I have to wait until all the color is washed out?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Does it have to stay on for 30 minutes?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can I use a semi-permanent color to temporary highlight my hair?

Community Answer

Yes, you can.

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Question

What is the best way to color a shaved cut?

Community Answer

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

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Question

I've been told that black semi-permanent dye from a box will not wash out. If I want it to eventually wash out, could I dye my hair while damp to ensure this?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Do I need to mix the hair dye with anything like creme developer?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I leave semi-permanent hair dye in my hair for hours without damaging my hair?

Community Answer

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

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Question

I dampened my hair this morning. Can I still dye my hair tomorrow?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Will chlorine make it fade? If so, how can I prevent that?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Will the dye come off on clothes or furniture if the hair gets wet?

Community Answer

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

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