With its strength, a 40-volume developer comes with risks that must be managed carefully. Here are some key considerations: Potential for Damage: High peroxide levels can be tough on hair, potentially causing breakage, dryness, and split ends if not used correctly.
Damage Risk: The high strength of a 40 volume developer can cause considerable damage to the hair. It can lead to dryness, breakage, and an overall unhealthy appearance, especially if the hair is already compromised or previously colored.
40 volume should only be used by trained stylists, as it can damage the hair quite easily and oxidize (burn) the skin in seconds. This kind of chemical burn is very painful. H2O2 has 2 functions in a hair color application. The first is it activates the dyes, known as oxidation dyes, or intermediates.
40 Volume (12%) Developer
It is recommended for use with a lightening cream or powder for those who want to achieve blonde results. It is important to note, however, that this developer strength is harsh on the hair and can cause hair burns if not used properly.
Developer choice going lighter with regular color
Use 20 Vol if you are aiming for a 1-2 level lift (and if you have grey hair that needs covering). Use 30 Vol if you are aiming for a 2-3 level lift. Use 40 Vol if you are aiming for a 3 level lift and if the hair is particularly difficult to color.
40-volume developer should not be left on your hair for more than 30 minutes. Generally, a processing time of 10–20 minutes is enough to achieve a lift without causing excessive damage. Check the hair frequently to monitor the color lift, and rinse thoroughly when the desired shade is achieved.
2. How often can you use 20 volume developer? It's best to wait at least 4-6 weeks between applications to avoid over-processing and damaging your hair.
40-volume developers contain 12% hydrogen peroxide. These lift your hair up at least 8 levels! This developer is not appropriate for at-home use at all, unless you are a hair coloring professional, because this developer can cause serious damage to your scalp and your hair.
The short answer is no—developer alone does not lighten hair. It needs to be mixed with a color or bleach to achieve the lightening effect. While 40 volume developer can lighten the hair to a certain degree on its own, it is far more effective when used with bleach.
From a strand test, you should also get a better sense of how many sessions you'll need to make the full transition. For example, going from dark brown to light blonde hair may require three to four sessions.
Use 10 Volume if you are applying permanent, no-lift hair color. If the desired result is keeping color at the same color level by simply adding a tone or a tint, this is exactly what you should mix with. It won't significantly lift your base color and is the least damaging to the hair.
The standard developer for gray coverage is 20 Volume; however, 30 Volume and 40 Volume can also be used if the percentage of gray is low and additional lift is needed to achieve the desired result.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice contains citric acid, which acts as a natural bleaching agent, making it an ideal substitute for developing when lightening hair.
Why would I not just use 40 volume all the time? 40 volume developer is the strongest level of developer, and we do not recommend it for at home use.
Yes, because the harsh chemicals can cause allergies, leading to hair fall, as also cause weakening of the hair, in turn leading to hair breakage.
People choose 40 volume because it's strong enough to lighten even the darkest hair. However, it's also very harsh and can damage the hair if used too often. So, it's best that you be cautious here.
Used for significant lightening, the 40 Volume (12%) developer offers a substantial lift of up to 8 levels, making it perfect for dramatic changes. It is suitable for achieving very light blonde results, but must be handled carefully to prevent damage.
Sound is measured in units called decibels. Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA) are generally safe. Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss.
But we don't recommend that you apply just developer to the hair. You will get an uncontrolled lift, without any re-coloration and you will end up damaging the hair. Always use developer combined with bleach or color or toner. Never by itself.
Lighten Orange Hair
But don't bust out the bleach again too soon. You'll need to wait at least a week or two to restore your hair's natural moisture balance to avoid significant damage. So be prepared to rock that orange mane for a while! You can give round two a go once you've made it through the waiting period.
40 volume without bleach will lighten but your not going to get a good color without bleach.
40% developer is a very strong lift or intensity for the color , 30% developer is a medium lift for 5 shades and is strong , 20% developer is standard lift and what most people use to dye their hair . 10% developer is lowest strength developer , you use that to tone or just add a slight color difference .
Using too much developer can lead to over-processing, which means that the hair cuticles can get damaged, leaving the hair looking dull, dry, and brittle. Plus, the color won't turn out the way you want it to, and you might even end up with a funky, uneven color that looks like a unicorn threw up on your head.