You’re well familiar with developers if you dye your hair regularly. A developer is an anti-oxidant cream that contains hydrogen peroxide. You require this developer to lift the cuticle layer from your hair. Therefore choosing the best developer is a must-do job when you dye your hair.
But what developer to use with permanent hair color? Usually, volumes between 20 and 30 are the perfect volume of developer for your permanent hair color. However, different companies apply different additives to their developers.
As a result, you won’t get the same result from every developer. If you can choose the right developer for your hair color, it will open more cuticle layers. Here we are to help you find the right developer for your entire hair coloring process.
In this article, you’ll know the accurate ratio of hair color and developer with water while preparing your color. Besides, you’ll learn when you should use which volume of developer. So, let’s check out the details.
What is a Developer for Hair Dye?
It’s the most essential element for your hair-dying process. Without a developer, you cannot dye your hair. Also, the developer determines how light or deep your hair color will be. So, it’s important to go for the right pick.
Can I Color My Hair without Developer?
Yes, you can color your hair without a developer. But, it won’t bring you the significant color grade that you want in your hair. There is a specific ratio while mixing your hair color and developer and that’s 1:1, or if you want a strong color the ratio can be 1:1.5, or even 1:2.
This 1:2 mixing ratio will offer a strong lightening effect on your hair color. So, you have to determine the ratio considering your hair color requirements.
How Do I Know What Volume Developer to Use ?
When you need to choose a developer, you have to consider the volume of developer and their usage. The concentration levels of developers are expressed in two expressions either units of Volume or percentage. Here’s how to find out the right volume of developer for your hair coloring-
Shades Level As Per Volume of Developer
| Volume | Shades Level |
| 20 | 2 |
| 30 | 3 |
| 40 | 4 to 5 |
Volume 20
To get your hair color a little lighter, you should go for 20 volume hair developer. It means you can maintain your natural hair color using volume 20. Also, your hair dye will last for a long time.
What’s more, volume 20 is a great way to color up your gray hair if you have any. To take your hair dye 1 to 2 levels up, choose the volume 20. Remember, you should use your 20-volume developer with bleach.
Because after applying this developer on the scalp, your scalp produces more heat and also enhances the power of your developer. Therefore, we recommend you apply volume 20 developer along with bleach.
Volume 30
When you want to lighten your hair 1 level more compared to your volume 20, you may go for volume 30. Volume 30 developer can lift your hair dye to 3 levels excellently. Although Volume 30 is a strong developer to lighten your hair, it won’t bring any damage to your hair. So, you can apply the developer risk-free.
Volume 40
Demanding to lighten your hair up to 5 levels, you’re here looking for a volume 40 developer. However, the level of your hair color can vary based on the type of your hair and the power of color you apply.
Don’t apply volume 40 developer with bleach. And remember your hair can be damaged if you apply the volume 40 so often.
What Developer to Use with Permanent Hair Color: Which Volume to Pick
We’ll share the volume of developers you need for your permanent hair color. The higher the levels of concentration, the stronger the developer. Let’s check them out.
Volume 20 & 30
For your permanent hair color, the unit of developer volume should be between 20 and 30. But focus on the look you want. If you like the natural hair color, volume 20 will be the best. For a little more dark hair color, you can go for volume 30.
Volume 5 & 10
There are 2 more volumes of developers that you can use when your hair-dying requirement is for the primary level. Also, you can try volumes 5 and 10 as they will give a natural hair color. Here’s the detail about them-
Volume 5
In case of minimal hair-dying results, you can choose the volume 5 developer. Unlike volume 20, it won’t help you make coverage for your gray hair. It will act as an activator for your color.
Volume 5 comes as a developer to perform as toner or glazes. Your hair will lift into a natural shade with a minimal effect. Most importantly, you can apply the volume 5 developer with your permanent semi and demi hair color.
If you need to make a slight shift, use volume 5 with bleach. It will give an excellent shade. Besides, volume 5 comes in handy for fragile baby hair as it lifts 1 or 2 levels.
Volume 10
When you demand moderate penetration of your color molecules, you should go for a volume 10 developer. And like volume 5, you also can use volume 10 for your permanent hair color.
It also acts as toner or glaze. Volume 10 developer will offer you up to 4 levels based on the type of hair, bleach, and the method of application you follow.
How to Choose a Developer?
There are two important factors to consider while choosing a developer for your hair. And these are-
- The Type of Your Hair
- Look You Want
Based on these two factors you should choose the volume of developer.
- Type of Your Hair
Different types of hair come with different ways of reactions while dyeing hair. Depending on the type of hair you should choose the developer.
- Fine Hair
If you have fine hair and you want a light hair dye, go for the low-volume developer. Because your light hair color with low volume will penetrate faster into your fine hair.
- Thick Hair
In the case of your normal hair, we recommend you consult your hair expert. It’s essential to take an expert’s opinion to get a better result. Because if you go for higher volume, it will hassle you to both darken as well as lighten your hair color.
- The Appearance That You Want
The second one is to focus on what you like the most. It means whether or not you like the dark or light hair color. It’s an important factor to understand before you choose the developer.
Usually, volume 10 is considered the best option for light hair color. Volume 40 is considered the best one when you want a dark hair color.
Also, you need to consider some more factors while choosing a developer for hair color. Follow the given chart to explore what hair color requires which volume of developer based on your type of hair color-
Developer as per Hair Color
| Type of Hair Color | Volumes of Developer |
| Semi-Permanent/ Demi-Permanent or Temporary | Between 3 to 20 |
| Permanent | Between 20 to 30 |
| To Lighten Your Hair | 30 to 40 |
FAQs
What Are the Benefits of Applying a Developer With Hair Color?
A developer helps in many ways to get the best hair-dying results. For example, it helps in activating your hair color to deliver an excellent shade. Also, due to mixing the developer with the right hair dye volume, the paste becomes thick.
As a result, the paste will sit on your hair dripping-free until you’re done. It ensures a straightforward hair-dying application.
How Can I Mix the Hair Color and Developer?
It’s simple! Identify the accurate ratio first. Then mix the hair color and developer with water. It’s important to determine the ratio based on how strong you want your shade.
How to Apply Hair Color?
After you section your hair into different small parts, apply your color thoroughly. Rest your hair for 20 or 30 minutes and allow the color to set. Wash your hair.
Conclusion
It’s essential to pick the right volume of developers if you want to have your desired hair color. But the question is what developer to use with permanent hair color? Or how to choose the right developer for hair color?
So, you should learn what developer for which color type. And once you know it, you can easily find the right developer for your permanent hair color. Check out our shared list that what developer will be the right one for your hair color. But ensure you mix the color and developer following the accurate ratio.
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