How Many Years Does Permanent Hair Dye Last? The Truth Revealed

Does Permanent Hair Dye Really Last Forever?

If you've ever dyed your hair and expected the color to last for years, you probably learned the hard way that permanent hair dye isn't actually permanent (at least, not in the way we wish it were).

I remember the first time I went for a deep burgundy shade, thinking I'd be rocking that color for at least a year. Spoiler alert: It started fading after just a few months. So, how long does permanent hair dye really last? Let’s break it down.

How Long Does Permanent Hair Dye Actually Last?

1. The Science Behind Permanent Dye

Unlike semi-permanent dyes that just coat your hair, permanent hair dye penetrates the hair shaft and chemically alters your natural pigment. This process is done using ammonia (or an ammonia substitute) and a developer (peroxide), which allows the color to stay in your hair much longer.

Does it last forever? No.
Does it last longer than semi-permanent dye? Absolutely.
How long exactly? Usually 4 to 8 weeks before fading starts to show.

(Yeah, not exactly the "permanent" solution you’d hoped for, right?)

2. Does Hair Dye Last for Years?

Short answer: Not really.

Permanent dye stays in your hair until it grows out or you cut it off, but that doesn’t mean your hair will stay the same vibrant shade for years.

Vivid colors (reds, purples, blues): Fade within 6-8 weeks (sometimes faster).
Natural shades (browns, blacks, blondes): Hold up for several months, but still require touch-ups due to root growth.
Gray coverage dyes: Usually need a refresh every 4-6 weeks as new hair grows in.

Factors That Affect How Long Your Hair Color Lasts

1. Your Hair Type & Porosity

Ever wonder why your friend's color stays vibrant while yours fades in weeks? It might be your hair porosity.

High porosity hair (damaged, dry, or curly hair) absorbs dye quickly but also loses it faster.
Low porosity hair (healthy, straight, or thick hair) retains color better but may need more effort to absorb the dye evenly.

Tip: Using a protein treatment before dyeing can help hold onto the color longer.

2. Your Hair Care Routine

Washing too often? That’s the fastest way to strip color from your hair.

Frequent washing = faster fading. Try to wash only 2-3 times a week with sulfate-free shampoo.
Hot water is your enemy. Stick to lukewarm or cool water to prevent color from washing out.
Heat styling weakens color. Use a heat protectant before blow-drying or straightening.

(I used to wash my freshly dyed hair every day, wondering why it faded so fast. Turns out, I was the problem!)

3. Sun, Pool, and Environmental Exposure

Sunlight fades hair color – especially if you have red or fashion colors.
Chlorine in pools strips color fast (and can turn blonde hair green—yikes!).
Air pollution can dull vibrant colors over time.

Tip: Wear a hat, use UV-protecting sprays, and rinse hair before & after swimming to protect your color.

How to Make Permanent Hair Dye Last Longer

If you want your permanent hair dye to last as long as possible, follow these golden rules:

Wait 48 hours before washing your hair after dyeing.
Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
Wash hair with cold or lukewarm water.
Deep condition regularly to keep hair healthy.
Limit heat styling & always use a heat protectant.
Use color-depositing shampoos to refresh your shade.

So, Does Permanent Hair Dye Last for Years?

If you're asking, "Will my hair still have this color in 3 years?", the answer is: Not unless you stop washing it, never go outside, and avoid growing new hair (which is, um, impossible).

Realistic answer: Permanent hair dye lasts until your hair grows out, but the vibrancy fades within weeks to months depending on care. If you want a long-lasting color, touch-ups every 4-8 weeks are usually necessary.

What’s your experience with permanent hair dye? Did yours fade too fast, or did you find a trick to make it last longer? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.