- If you’ve colored your hair with a semi-permanent hair dye, but want to apply a permanent hair dye on top, I recommend waiting at least 24 hours. Before applying the new hair dye, you should shampoo your hair twice. I’ll tell you why later.
- If you want to touch up your hair with a new semi-permanent hair dye, the timings will depend on the color you choose. If you want to apply a very light color, you’ll have to wait for the color to fade. Alternatively, if you choose a darker hair dye, you can apply a semi-permanent hair dye after 5 or 6 washes.
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People usually think that one color covers the other when it comes to dyeing their hair.
So, they think they can manipulate the hair dyes and application times as they please. However, it’s not the case.
The confusion is even more when it comes to semi-permanent hair dyes. Why?
You probably chose to color your hair with a semi-permanent hair dye because it doesn’t penetrate the hair core. Also, it fades much faster than permanent hair dyes.
And that’s true.
But what if you don’t like the color you chose?
In that case, the light bulb goes on, and you say, “I’ll dye my hair again, and problem solved.”
That’s partly true too. But only partly.
Even if you’ve had your hair dyed semi-permanently, you need to know when to apply a new color.
It’ll all depend on what type of hair color you’ll use.
- If you plan to apply permanent hair dye, you can do so after the first wash.
- If you want to apply semi-permanent hair dye, it all depends on the color you choose. It deserves an explanation that I’ll give you later.
So, let’s start with those people who want to know how soon they can dye their hair after semi-permanent.
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To dye your hair with a permanent dye after semi-permanent, you’ll need to wait at least 24 hours. Then, shampoo your hair twice.
One of the first things I recommend to my clients when they choose a semi-permanent dye at the salon is not to wash their hair for at least 72 hours.
This allows the pigments to fully adhere to the surface of the hair. They coat it like a film of color. However, what you want to achieve is the opposite, as you want to change color.
So, washing your hair is the solution. But why should you wait at least 24 hours to wash it before applying a permanent hair dye?
Because if you apply permanent hair dye on top of the recent semi-permanent hair dye, the cuticles that are sealed will prevent the color from penetrating properly.
That’s why I recommend you wait 24 hours. Also, you should shampoo your hair twice. Why?
Because you’ll remove a large amount of semi-permanent hair dye to apply your permanent one without unpleasant consequences.
The permanent hair dye is applied with a 20-volume developer that opens the hair cuticles for the hair dye to penetrate the core and modify the pigmentation.
Then, the ammonia will fix the pigment in your hair and extend the duration of the color for up to five weeks.
What happens if you dyed your hair semi-permanent and you didn’t like the color? Imagine that you want to dye it again as soon as possible with another semi-permanent hair dye/
That’s what I’ll talk about next.
The choice of color is relevant if you want to touch up your hair quickly with a new semi-permanent hair dye
Ideally, you should wait until the semi-permanent dye fades.
But I imagine you can’t or don’t want to wait that long. By the way, have you decided what new color you want to apply?
Because that “small” detail is relevant.
- If you want to apply a lighter color, you’ll have to wait for your current hair dye to fade.
- Alternatively, if you want to apply a darker color, I recommend dyeing your hair semi-permanent after five or six washes.
Now, if you don’t want to wait, you can always shorten the time. How?
By performing the strand test.
After each wash, choose a lock of your mane and apply the new color you’ve chosen.
What’s the result?
Is the new color vibrant?
Do you notice that it still fails to cover the previous hair dye?
If it still doesn’t cover the previous hair dye, you’ll need to re-wash your hair and do the strand test again.
However, if the new semi-permanent hair dye covers your previous color after the first wash, you can dye all of your hair.
The strand test can save you a lot of headaches. It’s also very easy to do.
- Gather all your hair into a ponytail and leave only a back lock loose.
- Apply your chosen semi-permanent hair dye from root to tip on the strand of hair
- Leave it in for 20 minutes
- Rinse and dry
Also, remember that semi-permanent hair dye lasts for about 16 washes according to the brand you choose.
If you wash your hair every other day, you can accelerate the fade to apply a new semi-permanent dye.
Don’t bleach your hair or apply other corrosive chemicals because it can be easily damaged.
Conclusions
The time it takes to reapply a new hair dye to semi-permanently colored hair will depend on the type of color you choose.
If you want to apply a permanent hair dye, wait at least 24 hours and shampoo your hair twice. Alternatively, if you want to go for a semi-permanent hair dye, the choice of the new color will make all the difference.
