Does toner permanently change hair color?

Author: Garret Carter  |  Last update: Friday, July 18, 2025

Unlike hair dye, toners are not used to permanently change your hair colour. Instead, toners work by neutralising unwanted brassy or yellow tones. If you have previously coloured your hair and want to give the shade a little boost, a toner can be a quick fix and is often less expensive than a full colour.

Will my hair go back to normal after a toner?

Offcourse. Toner washes out after 5--6 washes (and 10--12 washes for darker toner). The whole point of toner is to change the blonde bleached colour. Once it completely fades away you will be back to being a dark blonde. I've toned my hair to various shades and it always goes back to the original blonde.

Does toner permanently color hair?

Less hydrogen peroxide means that it's a healthier alternative to dye. For this reason, many stylists will opt for toner. Unfortunately this formulation also means that the results are semipermanent, rather than permanent. Every 3-4 weeks, hair toner will need to be refreshed to maintain the same shine and color.

How long does color toner last in hair?

The less frequently you wash your locks, the longer your colour stays in, but you can increase the longevity of your colour by using professional hair care. Depending on you hair type and hair condition, toner can last between 2-to-6 weeks.

Will toner change natural hair color?

A toner wont lift color. That being said, the toner may have a mild effect on your natural color but it will be temporary. It will likely produce the most effect on the lighter hair particularly the violet toners like wella t18. If your natural hair color is ashy it will probably just enhance it a bit.

WHAT IS A TONER? HOW LONG DO TONERS LAST? ADVICE FROM A COLORIST

Does toner do anything to natural brown hair?

Toning products work by depositing hair colour pigment onto each individual hair strand. Anyone can use hair toners regardless of whether your hair is dyed or not, but they're especially great at topping up faded colour, getting rid of those unwanted warm orange or brass tones, and adding intense shine.

Is toner healthier than hair dye?

While toning is generally safe, the same cannot be said about the bleaching and dying that usually come before it. The high ammonia and hydrogen peroxide content of these products can, in time, damage the hair from the cuticle to the core.

Is toner damaging to hair?

The main difference between toner and hair color is that the former simply deposits pigments on the surface of the hair, while the latter—at least in the case of permanent hair color—introduces color deep into the hair cuticle. And because they only act on the surface, toners won't damage your hair.

Does toner wash out completely?

Unlike permanent hair colour, toners gradually wash away much quicker due to having less staying power. It's like a 'top coat' for your hair because it does not penetrate as deeply into the hair strand.

Is purple shampoo a toner?

Is purple shampoo a toner? Any product that dispenses pigment to adjust hair tone can be considered a toner, and that includes purple shampoo. Its pigments work to neutralize brass.

Can toner cover grey hair?

Tresch also suggests using a gloss or toner like John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss or dpHUE Color Boosting GLOSS+ Deep Conditioning Treatment to easily camouflage sparse gray hairs.

Can toner permanently darken hair?

Whichever direction you're coming from, it's important to understand that toner will not make your hair a darker color.

How much does a toner cost at salon?

How Much Do Hair Toning Services Cost? If you're looking to get your hair toned by a professional, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $200 dollars. Prices vary by location and salon, so if you have questions about how much a hair toning service will set you back, ask your stylist.

Can you undo hair toner?

Most toners are not permanent, therefore eventually, after several washes, the 'cool' tones will fade. If you want that toner gone quicker, 2-3 washes with a clarifying shampoo will start to remove the blue, grey or purple stains.

How long does it take for toned hair to fade?

Toners last anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks before they start to fade or wash out completely. However, it's essential to note that each person's hair is different and may react differently to toners, so the longevity of the toner's effects may vary from person to person.

Does a toner change the color of your hair?

But, do you really know what a toner is for hair color? As the name suggests, hair toner is a product that… tones your hair. It can make it brighter or eliminate particular tones, such as yellow or red.

Will toner even out hair?

Toner can indeed help even out the color of bleached hair by neutralizing unwanted tones and creating a more uniform base. However, significant color corrections may require additional treatments.

How many hair washes until toner fades?

If you wash your hair every day, expect your toner to fade out FAST. If you wash it once a week, you will generally get a month of nicely toned hair. If you feel like the toner just DOESNT last in your hair, the are a number of factors why this can happen.

Is Wella toner permanent?

Kick major brass with the #1 Permanent Toner in the US*. Perfect for correcting and neutralizing brass after lightening, WELLA COLORCHARM Permanent Liquid Toners are quick and easy to use for at-home, salon-quality blondes.

What happens when you leave toner in your hair for too long?

Overlapping the toner application or leaving it on for too long can lead to overprocessing, which may result in dryness, breakage, or a change in texture. To avoid overprocessing, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and monitor the toner's development time.

Will toner change natural hair?

It doesn't completely alter your hair colour, but it helps you subtly manipulate the shade of brassy hair. Hair toners neutralise unwanted warm or brassy tones to help you achieve a shinier, healthier, more natural-looking shade.

How long will toner last in your hair?

In-salon toners will last on average 3-4 weeks while at-home toners will need to be refreshed once a week, but the answer really depends on the amount of pigments in your chosen toner and how often you wash your hair. Factors that affect how long your toner lasts include: Sun exposure.

Why do hairdressers use toner instead of dye?

Unlike hair dye, toners are not used to permanently change your hair colour. Instead, toners work by neutralising unwanted brassy or yellow tones. If you have previously coloured your hair and want to give the shade a little boost, a toner can be a quick fix and is often less expensive than a full colour.

Is there a permanent toner for hair?

New Blondor Permanent Liquid Toners deliver reliable, true-to-tone results with non-progressive color that won't over-deposit. This collection of toner for blonde hair offers 5 intermixable shades plus a Brass Kicker additive to neutralize underlying pigments to achieve the perfect color and shade.

How damaging is Wella toner?

So, Does Toner Damage Hair? Not always. In fact, the Wella Professionals – No. 1 Salon Color Brand in the World ¹ – offers a range of zero damage and damage-reducing color products, which allow you to create your client's dream shade while respecting the integrity of hair strands.

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