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Does chroma ID wash out?

Having colorful hair has become increasingly popular in recent years. From bright blues to vibrant pinks, there’s no shortage of fun hair colors to try out. One of the most popular semi-permanent fashion hair colors is Chroma ID from Pulp Riot. But one big question many people have is: does Chroma ID wash out?

What is Chroma ID?

Chroma ID is a line of semi-permanent hair color from Pulp Riot. It’s an innovative formula that delivers vibrant, fade-resistant color that lasts. Chroma ID uses a gentler developer than permanent hair color, so it causes less damage to your strands. The colors are also ammonia and peroxide-free.

There are over 60 mixable shades to choose from. You can go for a bold, solid color or mix together two or more shades to create a custom, one-of-a-kind hair color.

Some of the key features of Chroma ID include:

  • Vibrant, long-lasting color
  • Lower peroxide levels for less damage
  • Uses gentler ME+ developer
  • Ammonia-free and peroxide-free
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Available in over 60 shades

How Long Does Chroma ID Last?

Chroma ID is intended to be a long-lasting hair color. With proper maintenance, you can expect it to last anywhere from 4-12 weeks, depending on your hair type and color choice.

On average, most people can expect Chroma ID to last:

  • 4-6 weeks on naturally light blonde or bleached hair
  • 6-8 weeks on natural medium to dark blonde hair
  • 8-12 weeks on natural brown or black hair

The darker your natural hair color, the longer the vivid Chroma ID shades will last. The color molecules have something to grab onto and will fade more slowly.

On lighter hair, the color washes out quicker. But touches up are easy if you want to maintain the look.

Does Chroma ID Completely Wash Out?

Now let’s get to the main question – does Chroma ID completely wash out of hair eventually? The short answer is yes, it will gradually fade until it washes out entirely. However, how long this takes depends on several factors.

Factors That Affect Fading

Here are some of the key things that affect how quickly Chroma ID will fade from your hair:

Factor Effect on Fading
Your natural hair color Fades quicker on lighter shades like blonde. Slower on dark shades like brown or black.
Color shade chosen Darker and more vivid colors last longer. Pastels and lighter shades fade faster.
Frequency of washing Frequent washing and shampooing fades color quicker.
Exposure to sun Sun exposure can cause the color to fade more rapidly.
Use of hot tools Frequent use of hot styling tools causes faster fading.
Hair type and texture More porous and damaged hair often allows faster fading.

How Long Does It Take to Fully Wash Out?

Most Chroma ID shades will be fully washed out of your hair in 3-4 months. However, for darker shades on darker hair types, it can sometimes take 5-6 months for the color to fade completely.

Here’s a general overview of how long it takes various Chroma ID shades to fully wash out of different hair colors:

Your Natural Hair Color Lighter Chroma ID Shades Darker Chroma ID Shades
Light blonde 8-12 weeks 12-16 weeks
Medium to dark blonde 10-14 weeks 16-20 weeks
Light brown 12-18 weeks 20-24 weeks
Dark brown to black 16-22 weeks 24-30 weeks

As you can see, natural hair color and the shade of Chroma ID used impact how long it takes to fully fade. But in most cases, the color will be washed out in 3-6 months.

Speeding Up Fading of Chroma ID

There are a few things you can do if you want Chroma ID to wash out more quickly:

  • Use clarifying shampoo. Regular use of a clarifying shampoo helps remove color pigment with each wash.
  • Wash frequently. Washing your hair often with a sulfate shampoo will help lift the color faster.
  • Use hot water. Washing with very hot water can accelerate fading.
  • Try anti-dandruff shampoo. These shampoos contain stronger surfactants that strip color.
  • Use baking soda. Making a paste with baking soda and shampoo and scrubbing can help remove stubborn color.
  • Try vitamin C treatment. Crush vitamin C tablets into a powder and mix with shampoo to make a paste that helps lift color.
  • Use clarifying and anti-dandruff shampoos. Using a combination of these strong shampoos together boosts fading.
  • Don’t use conditioner. Skipping conditioner means more color removal with each wash.
  • Avoid heat styling. Limit use of hot tools like blow dryers and straighteners to prevent sealing in color.

Keep in mind that overprocessing your hair with harsh shampoos or treatments can cause damage. It’s best to gradually lift the color by washing 2-3 times per week with clarifying shampoo.

Preventing Staining of Chroma ID

Some shades of Chroma ID, especially darker reds and purples, can occasionally stain light blonde and bleached hair, even after the color has faded. There are a few things you can do to help prevent staining:

  • Opt for lighter, more pastel shades of reds and purples
  • Use a stain blocking primer before applying Chroma ID
  • Rinse hair with very hot water after coloring
  • Use a chelating shampoo 1-2 times per week
  • Avoid overlapping the color heavily at your roots

Staining is difficult to avoid completely with vibrant shades. But taking these steps can help minimize the chance and intensity of any staining on lighter hair colors.

Can You Remove Chroma ID Quickly?

While Chroma ID is intended to be semi-permanent, there are ways to quickly remove or lift the color in a short time frame if needed.

Here are a few methods professional hair colorists use to remove direct dyes like Chroma ID fast:

  • Bleaching – Bleaching the hair can drastically lift and remove stubborn direct dye color. This is damaging so is best done professionally.
  • Color remover – Color remover products help strip away direct dye pigments without bleach.
  • Malic acid treatment – Applying malic acid to the hair and processing helps remove direct dye colors.
  • Sodium sulfite – This chemical is used to process color out quickly by professional colorists.
  • Protein filler – Using a protein filler before color removal fills in gaps in the cuticle so color washes out easier.

These are harsh processes that require skill to avoid damage. Consult a professional hair colorist if you need to speed up removal of Chroma ID.

Can You Recolor Over Chroma ID?

One of the nice things about Chroma ID is that you can recolor your hair even when some of it is still present. The vibrant primaries won’t have a big effect on the new color.

Here are some tips for recoloring over Chroma ID:

  • Wait until the color has faded by about 50% before applying new color
  • Use a protein filler before recoloring for better results
  • Opt for similar shade so chemicals don’t have to work as hard
  • Perform a strand test to check tone and coverage first
  • Increase developer strength if coverage is uneven

You can go darker, lighter, or completely different with new color over Chroma ID. Just be patient waiting for fade first, and be prepared for uneven coverage.

How to Care for Hair Colored with Chroma ID

To help your vibrant Chroma ID color last as long as possible, be sure to properly care for your colored hair:

  • Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and lukewarm water
  • Wash only 1-2 times per week if possible
  • Use conditioner after shampooing to lock in moisture
  • Limit use of hot styling tools to avoid fading
  • Rinse with cold water and use leave-in conditioner
  • Use an at-home glossing treatment between salon visits
  • Avoid swimming, sun exposure, and friction from tight hairstyles

With proper maintenance, you can maximize the longevity of Chroma ID. Use dry shampoo or wear a shower cap on non-wash days to go longer between shampoos.

Conclusion

Chroma ID offers gorgeous, vibrant hair color that lasts 4-12 weeks depending on your natural shade and chosen hue. While it does gradually wash out over time, the fading process can take 3-6 months for full removal. There are ways to help the color fade faster or remove it quickly if desired.

To get the best results from Chroma ID, start with properly prepped hair, maintain it carefully, and touch up the roots as needed. Have fun expressing yourself with this high-impact, damage-free hair color!