Colorado Barbering Practice Exam

The concept of semi-permanent hair color revolves around its ability to last for a number of washes while gradually fading over time. This type of hair color typically contains smaller color molecules that penetrate the hair shaft more easily than permanent colors but do not have the same staying power. The fading process happens because the semi-permanent dyes lack the chemical process that locks the color deep within the hair cuticle, which is characteristic of permanent hair colors.

Semi-permanent colors are popular for those who want to experiment with a change in hair color without a long-term commitment. They allow for the possibility of returning to a more natural shade, as the color will fade, usually within six to eight washes, depending on the hair type and care regimen.

In contrast, conditions described in other answers either imply a degree of permanence or lack the necessary characteristics of semi-permanent colors, focusing on aspects such as developer use or complete non-removability, which do not apply to semi-permanent dyes.