Which of the following is characteristic of a semi-permanent color?

A semi-permanent color is characterized by the absence of ammonia. This is significant because the lack of ammonia means that the color is generally less damaging to the hair compared to permanent colors that often contain ammonia to facilitate the opening of the hair cuticle for color penetration. Semi-permanent colors deposit color onto the hair shaft without lifting the natural pigment, making them suitable for enhancing or altering color without making a drastic change.

In addition to being ammonia-free, semi-permanent colors typically provide a gentler, more temporary solution for those looking to experiment with color or cover grays to some extent. They usually last for a limited time, often around 4 to 12 washes, depending on the hair type and product formulation, but they do not provide full gray coverage like some longer-lasting options.

The other characteristics associated with semi-permanent colors include not being able to lighten the natural hair color and only providing temporary coverage. This makes them distinct from permanent colors, which can significantly change the hair's overall shade. The lasting power of semi-permanent colors can vary, but they typically do not extend as far as 12 weeks and are designed to fade gradually with each wash. Therefore, the defining trait that makes option B the correct choice is precisely that semi