Which statement about semi-permanent colors is true?

Which statement about semi-permanent colors is true?

• A. They always require retouching
• B. They deposit color but do not change hair chemically
• C. They permanently alter hair
• D. They completely remove natural pigment

Answer: (B)

Semi-permanent color deposits pigment on the outside of the hair and in the cuticle rather than penetrating to the cortex or breaking and reforming chemical bonds in the hair. Because it doesn’t change the hair’s chemistry, the color isn’t permanent and fades with washing. It also won’t lift natural pigment or remove it entirely. This deposition-without-chemical-change explanation is why the statement about depositing color without changing the hair chemically is correct. The other options contradict how semi-permanent color behaves: it doesn’t always require retouching like permanent color, it doesn’t permanently alter the hair, and it doesn’t completely remove natural pigment.

Semi-permanent color deposits pigment on the outside of the hair and in the cuticle rather than penetrating to the cortex or breaking and reforming chemical bonds in the hair. Because it doesn’t change the hair’s chemistry, the color isn’t permanent and fades with washing. It also won’t lift natural pigment or remove it entirely. This deposition-without-chemical-change explanation is why the statement about depositing color without changing the hair chemically is correct. The other options contradict how semi-permanent color behaves: it doesn’t always require retouching like permanent color, it doesn’t permanently alter the hair, and it doesn’t completely remove natural pigment.