How Long Does Permanent Hair Dye Last?

August 19, 2024

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Ready for a bold and vibrant new hair colour that makes a statement?
Whether you love at-home dye or frequent the salon, understanding the staying power of your dye is crucial.
So, how long does permanent hair dye last?
While the name suggests your colour will last forever, the reality is more nuanced. Permanent dye chemically alters your hair structure, but the vibrancy can fade.
What about other options? How long does semi-permanent hair dye last?
Semi-permanent hair dye will usually last for 4 to 12 washes. In contrast, demi-permanent dye strikes a middle ground around 12 to 24 shampoos.
This guide explains how long hair dye lasts and includes some upkeep tips to keep your colour vibrant. If you want your next hair makeover to turn heads and attract compliments like a magnet, check out My Haircare & Beauty! We have permanent, semi-permanent, and demi-permanent hair colours formulated to remain vibrant, along with shampoos & conditioners for coloured hair upkeep.

Is Permanent Hair Dye Actually Permanent?

You’ve been scrolling Pinterest and TikTok and finally found a hair colour that speaks to you. You’re already dreaming about your iconic look, but then a question comes to mind: how long does permanent hair dye last?
At first glance, you may think the answer is, well, permanently! However, how long hair colour lasts depends on several factors, including the quality of the dye and the products you use for aftercare.
As your hair grows, your roots will begin to show, and the initial colour you found directly out of the salon chair (or your bathroom sink) will change vibrancy. Proper aftercare is crucial to maintaining the hue you want.

How Long Does Permanent Hair Dye Last?

With most dyes, you won’t be able to maintain that initial head-turning colour without the right products. So, how long does permanent hair dye last?
Generally, your hair will keep that glowing hue for the first 4 to 8 weeks. After this point, the length of time hair colour lasts will vary depending on your hair type, how often you wash, the water temperature, and which products you use.

Factors Influencing Longevity

Considering how long hair dye lasts before fading, 4 to 8 weeks is a wide range. This is because several factors influence how long hair colour lasts in its peak vibrancy.
Permanent hair dye works by chemically altering the entire hair shaft. Healthier hair holds permanent colour more effectively. However, if your hair is dry, damaged, or extra-porous, it may lose vibrancy quickly.
The colour itself also plays a role. Neutral tones like browns, blondes, and some reds are easier to reach from your natural tone. Conversely, fashion colours like bright purples, blues, and greens will fade quickly.
A crucial factor is your aftercare routines. Permanent hair dye will fade if repeatedly exposed to water, heat styling, and some ingredients in shampoos like sulphates.

Average Duration of Colour Vibrancy

Overall, expect the 4 to 8-week range for your hair colour to remain vibrant. If you take care of your hair by following colour-treated hair care best practices, you can even go past that 8-week mark.
By then, your roots will have grown out, so it’ll be time to refresh your hair dye. You could add a toner to restore the vibrancy to its original hue.
The good news is that your hair will fade gradually with permanent colour. You’ll have plenty of time to schedule another appointment or touch up your hair before things become apparent.

Can You Make it Last Longer?

4 to 8 weeks is a great starting point, but is there a way to make it last longer?
The answer is yes, provided you keep these tips in mind.

Best Practices for Hair Care Post-Dye

After taking the plunge and dyeing your hair, you want to ensure your hard work (and money) isn’t wasted.

Don’t wash for 72 hours after colouring: This will allow the colour pigments to set into your hair cuticle.
Use cold or lukewarm water: Hot water is like a master locksmith for your hair cuticle, opening it up and allowing the colour pigment to escape. Cold water will keep your vibrancy for longer.
Limit heat styling: Like hot water, the heat from styling tools will re-open your hair cuticle. If you plan to heat style, apply a heat protectant and use lower temperatures.
Glosses and toners in between dyeing: A colour-depositing toner will help you restore vibrancy. You can use it between trips to the salon.

Products to Prolong Colour Lifespan

The moment you dye your hair, your entire haircare routine changes. There are specific types of shampoo, conditioner, and treatments specifically formulated for dyed hair.
Start by picking up conditioner and shampoo for coloured hair. You want to look for a sulphate-free product that contains ingredients specialised in preventing fading. For example, the Muk Vivid Colour Lock Duo contains UV filters and essential nutrients to keep your hair vibrant.
You’ll also want a treatment, mask, or serum that fits the same criteria. We recommend browsing our inventory of colour-care hair treatments for one that matches your new tone.
With the right products and a consistent routine, your permanent colour will stay vibrant and salon-quality for months. Permanent dye is a fantastic option, but what if you want the colour to fade? In that case, semi- or demi-permanent colour may be a better fit. So, how long does semi-permanent hair dye last?

How Long Does Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Last in Comparison?

One of the critical differences between permanent vs semi-permanent hair dye is that the latter is made to fade away. Because it doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft, semi-permanent colour is a much lower commitment.
So, how long does semi-permanent hair dye last?
Expect semi-permanent hair colour to last around 4 to 12 washes at the maximum. Note that semi-permanent dye will disappear entirely rather than become dull over time. Semi-permanent dyes are a fantastic choice for a low-commitment look or fashion colours you don’t want to wear all the time.

What About Demi-Permanent Hair Colour?

If you can’t decide between permanent and semi-permanent hair colour, there’s a third fantastic option: demi-permanent colour!
This type of dye lasts around 12 to 24 washes. It works by opening the hair cuticle to deposit the colour, but with lower levels of chemicals like ammonia or peroxide than a permanent dye. If you want to strike an excellent middle ground of how long hair dye lasts while retaining your hair health, demi-permanent is the way to go.

Which Type of Hair Dye is Right For You?

Once you find your dream shade, you have a decision to make. Should you opt for permanent hair colour, aiming to keep it vibrant for two months? Or is a more temporary hair colour that lasts for a handful of washes more your speed?
Let’s look at the facts.
How long does permanent hair dye last?
With the right haircare, you can expect it to last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks at full vibrancy. By then, it’s time to redo your roots. You won’t have to tough it up very much, but remember that permanent dye has more chemicals than the other two options.
How long does semi-permanent hair dye last? And what about demi-permanent dye?
Semi-permanent hair dye will last for around 4 to 12 washes. It’s a safer dye since it lays on top of the hair cuticle rather than inside, but you’ll find yourself in the salon chair more frequently.
Demi-permanent colour is a great middle ground, lasting 12 to 24 washes. If you don’t wet your hair every time you shower, you can make it last more than a month.
So, which one speaks to you best? Bold and long-lasting colour with minimal upkeep, short-term flexibility and fashion colours, or a mix of the two?
The choice is yours. No matter your preference, using a salon-quality hair dye is crucial for the best results.
That means making an appointment at your local salon and sitting in a chair for hours waiting for the dye to process, right?
Actually, there’s a way to bring the salon right into your home. You can kickstart your newest glow-up right when you shop at My Haircare & Beauty!

Make Your Dream Hair Colour a Reality at My Haircare & Beauty!

Beauty professionals and DIY experts across Australia agree–My Haircare & Beauty is the best place to find the hottest salon-quality brands.
We carry a massive inventory of over 200 leading beauty brands, from industry staples like Redken, Davines, and Wella to hidden gems selected by our expert team.
Whether you want a fun, temporary semi- or demi-permanent hair colour for a fun event or a bold and fuss-free permanent hair colour, you’ll find it all here.
Unlike most stores where you wander aimlessly through thousands of brands and squint to read ingredient lists (seriously, could they make them any smaller?), shopping with us is a breeze.
Our online store is simple to navigate, allowing you to sort the best shampoos for coloured hair by brand, ingredients, hair type, and more. You’ll also have the peace of mind of knowing that our team of experts hand-selected every product in our store.
Speaking of our team, we are here to help you at every step of your shopping journey. We’ll help you identify the best choice for your beauty goals, whether it’s the best shampoo and conditioner for blonde hair, the best hair loss shampoo in Australia, or the best hair straightener for styling.
And with convenient and speedy shipping across Australia, giving yourself the hair makeover you deserve has never been easier.

Wrapping Up Our Guide to How Long Hair Dye Lasts

After researching the perfect tone for your hair, you deserve a hair dye that lasts. Showing off that ideal hue that compliments your undertone and makes your eye pop begins with proper hair care and products.
Permanent hair dye lasts 4 to 8 weeks, though with the right products, you can keep it vibrant past that amount. Avoiding frequent washing, using colour treatments, and limiting heat is also vital.
Alternatively, semi-permanent dyes will last for 4 to 12 washes if you want a low-commitment style. They are the perfect way to test out a hue you aren’t entirely sure of before opting for permanent dye.
Demi-permanent dyes strike a nice balance between the two at 12 to 24 washes before fading.
No matter your choice, our My Haircare & Beauty team is here to help! As Australia’s #1 online beauty retailer, we carry over 200 top brands that will deliver salon-quality results from the comfort of your home.
Plus, our friendly and knowledgeable team is always standing by to provide personalised product recommendations and help you achieve your hair goals. So don’t delay your glow-up any further; browse our shop or talk to our team today to start turning heads!

Mel

Mel is a former Hair Stylist with over a decade of industry experience.
She enjoys writing about all aspects of the hair & beauty world including, trends, new products & best-sellers.