New Mexico Cosmetology Practice Exam 2025 - Free Cosmetology Practice Questions and Study Guide

Permanent hair color is recognized for its long-lasting effects because it involves a chemical process that opens the hair cuticle, allowing the color to penetrate deeply into the hair shaft. This type of color contains a developer, typically hydrogen peroxide, which activates and bonds the color molecules to the hair, resulting in a change that is meant to endure multiple washes.

Unlike temporary or semi-permanent hair colors that coat the hair, providing color that can fade over time with shampoos and environmental exposure, permanent hair color alters the hair's natural pigmentation. Demi-permanent color also has a longer lifespan than temporary and semi-permanent options but does not penetrate the hair as deeply or last as long as permanent color.

Because of these factors, permanent hair color is the go-to choice for individuals seeking a long-lasting change, as it can resist fading significantly better than the alternatives.