How Long Do Semi-Permanent Colours Last?
“How long will it last?” is one of the first questions people ask about semi-permanent hair colour — and it’s a sensible one, because the answer affects both the look you’ll get and the upkeep you’re signing up for. There’s also genuine confusion between semi-permanent, demi-permanent and permanent colour. Here’s a clear explanation, from the team at Wisteria Avenue in Abingdon.
How long semi-permanent colour lasts
As a general guide, semi-permanent colour lasts up to around 20 washes. That’s a guide, not a guarantee — how long it actually holds depends on your hair’s condition, your lifestyle, how often you wash and the products you use. Frequent washing with harsh shampoo will fade it faster; gentler care makes it last longer.
The reason it fades rather than grows out is in how it works: semi-permanent colour coats the surface of the hair rather than penetrating it, so it gradually washes away rather than leaving a hard regrowth line. That’s part of its appeal — it’s a lower-commitment way to colour.
Semi-permanent, demi-permanent and permanent — what’s the difference?
It helps to think of them as a scale of longevity. Semi-permanent is the shortest-lasting — it coats the hair, usually needs no developer, and simply fades over time. Demi-permanent lasts longer: it uses a mild developer to open the hair’s cuticle slightly and sit deeper, giving a longer-lasting result — though still not permanent. Permanent colour is exactly that, lifting and depositing colour for a lasting change that grows out at the root.
Each has its place. Which is right for you depends on the look you want, how much commitment you’re after and your hair type — not every colour type performs the same way on every head of hair.
Demi liquids
At Wisteria Avenue we also offer JOICO LumiShine demi-permanent liquid colours. These are a good option if you’d like to reduce the amount of ammonia in the colouring process — a real plus for some clients — while still getting a natural, longer-lasting-than-semi result. They also condition as they colour, adding shine and helping protect colour-treated hair. They’re not permanent, but they’re a lovely softer alternative to permanent colour.
Semi-permanent creative colour
Semi-permanent really comes into its own for creative colour. JOICO’s Color Intensity range is a set of vivid semi-permanent shades — purples, greens, rose gold and more. Because creative colours are bold and fashion-led, the semi-permanent format makes sense: it lets you enjoy a striking colour without committing to it permanently, and it fades gently when you’re ready for a change.
Chat colour over a coffee
If you’re weighing up your colour options — semi, demi or permanent — the easiest thing is to talk it through. Our stylists will help you find the colour type that suits the look you want and your hair. Book in for a consultation, and have a look at our price list to see what’s involved.
