Which statement accurately describes the difference between temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, and permanent color?

Which statement accurately describes the difference between temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, and permanent color?

• A. Temporary coats the cuticle and washes out quickly; semi-permanent and demi-permanent last longer; permanent color penetrates the cortex for long-lasting results.
• B. Semi-permanent color and permanent color behave the same.
• C. Permanent color washes out after one shampoo.
• D. Temporary color lasts longer than permanent color.

Answer: (A)

The difference comes down to where the pigment sits and how long it lasts. Temporary color simply coats the outside of the hair (the cuticle) and washes out quickly with shampoo. Semi-permanent and demi-permanent colors stay around longer because the pigment sits in the hair rather than just on the surface—semi-permanent mostly coats the cuticle with some diffusion, while demi-permanent deposits color more firmly. Permanent color goes further still, using a stronger process to lift the cuticle and penetrate into the cortex, so the pigment is embedded and results last much longer. So this description—temporary on the cuticle that washes out quickly; semi-permanent and demi-permanent lasting longer; permanent penetrating the cortex for long-lasting results—best matches how these color types work.

The difference comes down to where the pigment sits and how long it lasts. Temporary color simply coats the outside of the hair (the cuticle) and washes out quickly with shampoo. Semi-permanent and demi-permanent colors stay around longer because the pigment sits in the hair rather than just on the surface—semi-permanent mostly coats the cuticle with some diffusion, while demi-permanent deposits color more firmly. Permanent color goes further still, using a stronger process to lift the cuticle and penetrate into the cortex, so the pigment is embedded and results last much longer. So this description—temporary on the cuticle that washes out quickly; semi-permanent and demi-permanent lasting longer; permanent penetrating the cortex for long-lasting results—best matches how these color types work.