To Color Or Not to Color: That Is The Question

Every now and then we all want a change. Women often turn to their hair first in deciding what to change. Some of us cut it, or add extension, or decide to color it because we've been told that blondes have more fun. But coloring can have lasting effects on your hair, so while going blonde might be fun, it may also be damaging. There are three main ways to change your hair color, which can temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent.

Temporary Color
Temporary coloring products usually comes in the form of rinses, gels, mousses and sprays and majority of these products do not penetrate or modify the structure of the hair shaft. Temporary hair coloring products usually work similar to surface paint as the molecules usually stay on the outer surface of your hair. Depending on the type of temporary color, temporary color will wash out immediately with a single shampoo or after a couple of washes. If you just want to experiment with a different hair color, temporary hair color might be the safest and least harmful way to go about it. However, if you have dark hair, don't expect to be able to go blonde by using temporary color.
Semi Permanent Color
Semi Permanent color is a harsher but less invasive way to change your hair color. Instead of staying on the surface of your hair, semi permanent dyes contain smaller molecules which will penetrate through your hair shaft and stay there for a longer period of time. Usually it will take around six to ten shampoos to get the color out. Semi permanents usually do not require the use of oxidization agents, which is safer for the hair, but like temporary color, this also means that the color is less likely to show up on dark colored hair.

Permanent Color
Permanent color is the harshest way to color your hair. All "permanent" hair color products and lighteners contain a developer, or oxidizing agent, and an alkalizing agent (most often ammonia). To permanently change your hair color, you will have to use dye intermediates like PPD and a developer containing hydrogen peroxide for oxidization. Both of these are mixed together before application and the chemicals will cause your hair cuticle to swell so that the coloring agents can easily penetrate through. Once inside your hair shaft, the agent will break up your original color pigments known as melanin and replaces it with the new color. Permanent color is truly permanent and will not wash out, although it may fade. Permanent color can be removed by bleaching, or stripping with a color remover, but this is very damaging to the hair. To maintain hair health with permanent color, deep conditioning the hair is an absolute must.
So, if you want a quick subtle, change without damaging your hair, temporary hair color is the way to go. If you want something more drastic, permanent color would be the appropriate choice, but be sure to maintain your hair's health with conditioners. And if you want a more lasting color than temporary, but not one that will permanently strip your hair, semi permanent color would be the best option. Whichever way you choose to color your hair, be sure to have it done by a professional who can provide a proper application of the color and advise you as to the continued maintenance of the color.