Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Color

Q: What's the difference between permanent and demi-permanent hair color?

The major difference is how long you want the color to last and how much of a change you actually want. If you're looking for something subtle, such as adding a layer of color or deepening your own natural hair color, a demi-permanent color is the best option for you.

Demi-permanent colors are designed to wash out after about 20 to 28 shampoos.The real benefit to them is that they are chemically less harsh on the hair and thus a better choice for damaged hair. Also, they do not "remove" natural color in the way that permanent dyes do, so demi-permanents can often look more natural and blended in with your original color than permanents.

One thing to note is that demi-permanents actually darken the hair. They don’t contain any ammonia and have a much lower concentration of peroxide than permanent colors do, so they can’t lighten your hair. So keep in mind that if you're looking to go dramatically lighter, demi-permanents are not the choice for you.

But, if you want that dramatic change, a permanent hair color is your best option. What do we mean by dramatic? Any time that you “lighten” your hair or make it more than a shade or two darker, that's dramatic. If you are looking to hide the grays, permanent color is the only way to go.

Permanent color does not wash out with shampooing. It is a blend of peroxide and ammonia that actually removes the color pigment from your hair and then deposits new color on top. When your hair grows in, the original color appears in the form of roots. And you will have to “re-touch” the roots every six weeks or so (depending on how fast your hair grows).

Q: What is a single-process color?

A single process is just the application of one color (or toner) to achieve an all-over color. You can still have some contrast depending on the color used or your existing hair color, but there is only one application - hence the term “single process.”

Q: When and why are “foils” used?

Foils are used to introduce multiple colors to a client’s hair. The foils allow the stylist to place color strategically in a hair design to achieve a certain look. Foils are also utilized when a stylist is trying to “highlight” the hair. Foils are not usually used on very short hair.