Which Hair Dye Is Best? Demi, Semi, or Permanent Explained 🎨💇♀️
- Nazim Louadah
- May 4
- 2 min read
So you’re ready to switch things up.
New season, new look, new you — but then you hit the hair color aisle or book your appointment, and you're met with a wild question:
Demi? Semi? Permanent?
Let’s break it down so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
🔹 What Is Semi-Permanent Hair Dye?
Semi-permanent color is your low-commitment bestie. It coats the outer layer of your hair without penetrating the shaft, which means:
No ammonia
No developer
No long-term change
It typically lasts 6-12 washes, fades gradually, and adds shine.
Perfect for:
First-timers who want to try color without a major change
Toning pre-lightened hair
Refreshing dull color between salon visits
Drawback: Doesn’t cover grays well and won’t lighten your hair.
🔹 What Is Demi-Permanent Hair Dye?
Demi-permanent color is the underrated powerhouse. It uses a low-volume developer (but no ammonia) to gently open the cuticle and deposit color deeper than semi-permanent.
It lasts 20-28 washes, gives richer tone, and covers light grays.
Perfect for:
Blending grays (without harsh regrowth)
Enhancing natural color
Glossing and shine treatments
Growing out permanent color gradually
Drawback: It still fades over time and can slightly alter your hair's natural tone.
🔹 What Is Permanent Hair Dye?
Permanent hair color is your go-to for big, lasting change.
It uses ammonia and developer to fully open the hair shaft and change your natural pigment — for gray coverage, dramatic color shifts, or long-term results.
It won’t fade completely but will need root touch-ups every 4-6 weeks.
Perfect for:
Full gray coverage
Changing from dark to light or vice versa
Long-term commitment
Drawback: Stronger chemicals = more potential damage without proper aftercare.
📅 Which One Should You Choose?
Ask yourself:
Do I want something fun and temporary? → Semi.
Do I want more color without the full commitment? → Demi.
Do I need serious gray coverage or a bold change? → Permanent.
Still unsure? Let the pros at Lockerbie Lock guide you. We’ll help you choose the right formula based on your goals, hair condition, and maintenance needs.
🚪 Lockerbie Lock Has You Covered (Literally)
Whether you’re going from sun-kissed caramel to deep brunette, covering stubborn grays, or adding a rich gloss, our stylists match you with the right dye type and tone for beautiful results.
