How many levels can you lighten hair in one session?

Author: Miss Earlene Heaney  |  Last update: Monday, December 22, 2025

It's best if you don't go up more than four levels in one sitting. You can go four more levels up after two-three weeks to get the lighter hair shade of your choice. Going from dark to light too quickly can cause your hair to become dry, brittle, and weak.

How many levels can you safely lighten hair?

You can lighten VIRGIN untreated hair 2-4 levels using high lift permanent color. However, you might still need a 2nd step because lightening hair exposes the warm underlying pigment.

How many levels will hair color lift?

A 10 Volume developer provides minimal lift, perfect for depositing color. A 20 Volume developer lifts hair by 1-2 levels, while a 30 Volume developer lifts by 2-3 levels. A 40 Volume developer offers the most significant lift, up to 8 levels, for dramatic color changes.

How many levels can bleach lift in one session?

“It all depends on how light you want to go and what was previously done to the hair,” says Pearl. “On virgin hair, you can most likely lift up to seven levels [in one session]. This can become harder on a darker level hair.”

Does level 10 developer lift?

10 volume will slightly open the cuticle and allow for moderate penetration of color molecules. Similar to 5 volume, 10 volume can be used with permanent color lines for depositing color, however, it will not offer much grey coverage or lift.

I removed hair dye at home in 1 hour!

Should I rinse bleach out of hair with cold or hot water?

Step 7: Wash it

Use lukewarm water, too hot or cold of water can shock your hair in its already fragile state. Make sure to completely rinse out the bleach and gently wash your hair to get out all the product.

What happens if you use 30 developer instead of 20?

The difference between the volumes of developers is that 20 volume gives 2 shades of lift, and 30 gives 3 shades of lift.

How many sessions to go from dark brown to blonde?

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.

How to bleach dark hair without it turning orange?

Purple shampoos work by balancing out yellow tones, since purple and yellow are opposite on the color wheel. Blue shampoos balance orange tones because blue and orange are opposite on the color wheel.

How many levels of lift can you get with color?

You can lift locks up to three levels lighter with a 9% (30 volume) developer, or achieve the maximum lift of five levels lighter with a 12% (40 volume) developer.

How to lighten dark hair to light brown?

Use Hair Lightener or Toner

Hair lighteners or toners are great for lifting darker shades and achieving a lighter shade. Apply the toner or hair lightener to your hair according to the product's instructions. Rinse it out once you've reached your desired color.

What happens if I use more developer than color?

What happens if you put too much developer in hair dye? Too much developer added to a hair color formula will dilute the artificial dye molecules, and add too much oxygen to the formula. This will typically display a sheer end result that does not have the depth you may have anticipated.

What is the least damaging way to lighten hair?

Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.

Is lightening the same as bleaching?

Lightening can be defined as a process of artificial reduction and dissolution of pigment in hair. Bleaching - allows lightening already coloured hair. This technique is to be used if the customer wishes to change the shade of their hair (already coloured) from a dark one to a lighter one.

Will 20 volume developer lighten hair without bleach?

For instance, if you're a dark blonde and want to become a light blonde, 20 volume can help you achieve this gentle lift without needing bleach.

Can you go from brown to ash blonde in one sitting?

However, if your base is truly dark and your goal is a bright, ashy, or platinum blonde, colourcolourists agree doing it in two separate sessions is wisest. "Trying to lift that much pigment and go extremely pale in one day puts excessive strain on the hair," cautions master Gusto colourist Lisa Marie.

How many levels does 10 volume developer lift?

10 Volume (3%) Developer

When your current hair color is close to your desired hair color, a Volume 10 developer is used to mix with bleach. Depending on your hair texture and history, it provides a gentle lightening of 1-2 levels.

What happens if you put blonde dye on grey hair?

Blonde blends better with grey

Grey hair in blonde hair or grey roots in blonde hair blends better than with darker hair. So blonde is a good choice if you want to make your grey hair or grey roots less noticeable.

How many levels does 30 volume developer lift without bleach?

30 volume developer can lift the hair by about 2–3 levels, making it a good choice for significant but not drastic lightening.

Which developer lifts the most?

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 .

What level of developer is in box dye?

The developer found in box color ranges between 20 and 40 volume because that is what is needed to cover gray or to change a very dark shade. Frequently coating the hair shaft with a high volume developer will cause damage, particularly if the starting condition is weakened or fragile.

What should I do immediately after bleaching my hair?

After bleaching, your hair needs some 'TLC', so be gentle and detangle your hair when it is still wet using a flat brush, as opposed to drying it roughly with a towel. And leave your hair to air dry whenever possible; it's time to decommission the dryer for the summer. Remember your oils.

Do you shampoo after box dye?

Do you shampoo after using box dye? Another important hair dye color tip is for after the color is applied. The dye needs time to set in, so avoid shampooing for 24 to 72 hours. If you really feel like a wash, use some dry shampoo and style as usual until the waiting time is up.

Is it better to bleach your hair wet or dry?

As it turns out, wet hair lightens faster. If you're pressed for time or simply want a quick lightening method, your stylist may apply bleach to wet hair instead of waiting for it to dry.

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