Permanent Hair Dye: A Comprehensive Guide for Salon Professionals

As a salon professional, mastering the art of permanent colour is not just about creating stunning looks for your clients - it's about understanding the science behind the process, utilising the right techniques, and ensuring long-lasting results. Permanent hair dye is, of course, a staple in the hair care industry, offering clients the opportunity to transform their appearance with vibrant, lasting colour. In this comprehensive guide from Salon Wholesale, we'll delve into the intricacies of permanent hair dye, exploring everything from formulation to application techniques, and providing invaluable tips to help you elevate your craft as a hair professional.

Permanent hair dye penetrates the hair shaft and chemically alters its pigment. Unlike semi-permanent or temporary dyes, which simply coat the outer layer of the hair, permanent hair dyes create lasting colour changes by opening the hair cuticle and depositing colour molecules deep within the cortex.

Key Components of Permanent Hair Dye:

Colour Pigments: Permanent hair dyes contain a combination of oxidative dyes and direct dyes. Oxidative dyes penetrate the hair shaft and undergo a chemical reaction to create permanent colour changes, while direct dyes provide immediate colour deposit without the need for oxidation.

Developer: The developer, also known as the oxidising agent, is responsible for triggering the oxidation process that allows the colour pigments to penetrate the hair shaft. Developers come in various strengths, typically ranging from 10 volume to 40 volume, with higher volumes providing more lift and intensity.

Alkaline pH: Permanent hair dye formulations are alkaline in pH, which helps to open the hair cuticle and facilitate color penetration. The alkalinity of the dye also aids in the activation of the oxidative reaction between the colour pigments and the developer.

Conditioning Agents: To counteract the potential drying effects of the dyeing process, many permanent hair dye formulations contain conditioning agents such as oils, proteins, and moisturisers. These ingredients help to nourish the hair and enhance its shine and manageability.

Mastering Permanent Hair Dye Techniques:

Consultation: Before embarking on any hair dyeing procedure, it's crucial to conduct a thorough consultation with your client. Discuss their desired outcome, assess the condition of their hair, and perform a patch test to check for allergies or sensitivities.

Formulation: Selecting the right hair dye formulation is essential for achieving optimal results. Consider factors such as the client's natural hair colour, desired shade, and any previous colour treatments. Customising the dye formulation allows you to create a personalised colour that complements your client's skin tone and style.

Sectioning: Proper sectioning of the hair ensures even colour distribution and prevents overlapping, which can lead to patchiness or uneven results. Divide the hair into manageable sections using clips or hair ties, and work methodically from roots to ends.

Application: When applying permanent hair dye, use a tint brush or applicator bottle to distribute the colour evenly from root to tip. Start at the roots and work your way down, ensuring thorough saturation of the hair. Pay special attention to any areas that may require extra coverage or blending.

Processing Time: The processing time for permanent hair dye varies depending on factors such as the desired shade, hair texture, and developer strength. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions and monitor the color development closely to avoid over-processing or under-processing.

Rinse and Neutralise: Once the processing time is complete, rinse the hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Follow up with a pH-balancing shampoo and conditioner to neutralise any remaining alkalinity and seal the hair cuticle.

Post-Colour Care: Educate your clients on proper post-colour care to maintain the vibrancy and longevity of their new hair colour. Recommend sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for colour-treated hair, and advise against excessive heat styling or exposure to chlorinated water.

Mastering the art of permanent hair dyeing requires a combination of technical skill, artistic flair, and attention to detail. By understanding the science behind the process, honing your application techniques, and prioritising client consultation and care, you can elevate your craft and create stunning, long-lasting colour transformations for your clients. With the right knowledge and expertise, permanent hair dye becomes not just a product, but a powerful tool for self-expression and beauty enhancement.

Permanent Hair Colour on Salon Wholesale:

L'Oréal Professionnel: Known for their extensive range of permanent hair dyes, L'Oréal Professionnel offers high-quality products that deliver vibrant, long-lasting color results. Their Majirel and INOA lines are popular choices among salon professionals for their rich pigments and nourishing formulas.

Wella Professionals: With a legacy of innovation and expertise, Wella Professionals is a trusted name in the world of hair colour. Their Koleston Perfect and Color Touch ranges feature a wide selection of shades and formulations, allowing salon professionals to create customised looks for every client.

Schwarzkopf Professional: Schwarzkopf Professional offers a diverse range of permanent hair dyes, including the Igora Royal and Essensity lines. Renowned for their advanced colour technology and superior coverage, these products enable salon professionals to achieve stunning, salon-quality results with ease.

Below are some of our top picks and Permanent Colour favourites on Salon Wholesale:

Goldwell Topchic Tube 60ml - Guarantees bold, intense colour with optimum results across the range with 100% grey hair coverage. We stock a wide range including Ash Blondes, Dark Browns & many more.

Wella Koleston Perfect Me+ - Offers you prestigious permanent colouring results in 110 shades, from Light Blondes to Dark Blondes & Medium Browns. The Shine Guard gives your hair a lipid-based film to coat and protect whilst illuminating hair with vigorous shine.

L’Oreal Professionnel Inoa 60g - An ammonia-free permanent hair colour that provides unbeatable rich colour. Lightens or darkens by 3 shades, with 100% of grey hair covered. To be used by salon professionals, not for at-home use.

Schwarzkopf Igora Royal 60ml - One of the most reliable and vibrant permanent hair color products on the market. provides uncompromising coverage and up to 50% longer colour retention even on porous hair. Shades such as 0-11 provide anti-yellow properties to blonde hair to alleviate unwanted brasiness.

Kadus Permanent Hair Colour 60ml - Used for complete colour coverage, ensuring hair is left silky smooth by the rich colour cream. Light Blonde to Black hair dyes/Brown hair dyes.

L’Oreal Professionnel Majirel 50ml - Engineered to provide a natural look, Majirel offers a rull range of long lasting durable coverage with superior resistance to fading. Guarantees rich and vibrant permanent hair colour.

Explore the vast range of hair colour products we have here on Salon Wholesale, including our Semi-permanent Hair Dye range, Hair Bleaches & Peroxides, and more. Whether you’re looking for that perfect Warm Auburn / Light Brown, or that striking Blonde, we’ve got you covered whatever your client’s hair type.