Tired of Salon Appointments to Cover Your Roots? This is What I would Do

The real problem with root touch ups is three fold. First of all it takes time, a real commitment, secondly it costs money and third can cause damage. Even if you stretch it to 6 weeks, it’s a cycle. New growth always comes through in about 2-3 weeks. You really have to commit to consistent appointments. It can be damaging depending on the service. If you are getting bleach touch ups for example, constant bleaching results in weak hair strands leaving breakage and damage that can be irreparable.

I used to work in the salon and this was a tough one for me. I would get my roots touched up, then I would drive home with color on my hair and shampoo it out in the shower at home. This became a real chore for me. I didn’t enjoy a true salon experience, because it was simply a necessity. I had to continue to cover up my roots whether or not it fit into my schedule. I had to squeeze it in some how. I certainly did not want to “be at work” any longer than was necessary. Who does? In addition, it was usually a quid pro quo. You touch up my roots and I will touch up yours. This was not a relaxing salon visit.

So if you are ready to “embrace the grey” and ditch the endless touch up cylcle, this is what I recommend you stop doing first. Stop using permanent hair color to retouch the roots. Permanent hair color is alkaline based. It uses ammonia to swell the hair so the colored molecules penetrate the cortex, oxidize and alter the natural pigment. Leaving you with permanently colored hair. The problem is, it’s not permanent. In 2-3 weeks the new growth will reveal itself again!

If you still would like to “disguise” the grey. Move to demi permanent or acidic based hair color. Acidic color is best for blending, rather than 100% coverage. Demi color gently coats grey hair to make them look like highlights, offering a more natural translucent result. It’s lower maintenance and does not produce a harsh line of demarcation. More of a blend. Then if you eventually want to start the grey blending journey, you will be ahead of the game. Demi permanent hair color is easier to lift out of the hair than permanent hair color and is less damaging.

Here is an “at home” demi product I can recommend. Remember to follow the instructions and use proper tools.

Full transparency here, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Low Maintenance Demi Permanent Hair Color to Start Blending Grey

Wella Color Charm has a good one here: https://a.co/d/05EbArtR

Have you tried demi? Do you have questions about using demi? Ask here: