A Volume 20 developer is also a common strength for mixing with bleach because it provides 2-3 levels of lift, which is enough to lighten dark brown hair.
When going darker or changing the tone of your hair, say going red and one shade darker, Generally, 20 volume is a good bet. When working with very fine and fragile hair, I always use a 10 volume. When highlighting very dark coarse hair, usually 30 or 40 volume is necessary.
Using a 20-volume developer is relatively easy. Mix the developer with the hair color. Apply the mixture to the hair, making sure to cover all areas evenly. Leave the developer mix on for 30-45 minutes, depending on the desired results and the hair type.
20 developer has around 6% peroxide. 30 developer has around 9% peroxide. Either would work. A 30 developer just processes faster. At the salon I was able to bleach my cousins deep dark hair blonde using a 20 developer, it just takes longer you just have to make sure it doesn't dry out and it should be fine.
Use 10 Vol for tone down coloring and level-on-level coloring. 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.
A Volume 20 developer is also a common strength for mixing with bleach because it provides 2-3 levels of lift, which is enough to lighten dark brown hair. It will take you to a medium blonde hair color if your current hair color is light brown.
20 volume developer is a middle-strength option, which means it can open the hair cuticle just enough for the color to deposit effectively, without too much risk of over-processing or damage when used correctly.
Mix the 20-volume developer with your chosen hair color or bleach in the recommended ratio, usually 1:1 or 1:2. Apply the mixture starting at the roots and work your way down to the ends, ensuring every strand is covered. Leave it on for the time specified in the instructions, typically 20-30 minutes.
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 .
10 Volume Developers
10 volume developers contain 3% hydrogen peroxide. These developers are also called no lift developers because they only provide moderate lift to your cuticles, i.e., lift by 1 level. This developer is perfect for when you are going to color your hair a darker color than the natural shade.
Each increment of 10 represents another level of color that can be lifted. For example, a volume 10 developer will lift your hair by 1 shade, a 20-volume will lift it by 2 shades, and a 30-volume will lift it by 3-4 shades.
The problem: Applying 20 Vol Developer on Natural Roots
Hot roots happen when you apply a colour mixed with a 20 vol developer to your natural root area as this strength developer lifts the hair slightly. This is more common with lighter shades and toners.
Just make sure you're using the correct volume, opting for 6% (20 volume) to cover grays or reach one level of lift, 9% (30 volume) for two levels of lift, and 12% (40 volume) for three levels of lift.
Apply color to your roots first. Hair that's been previously colored is porous and soaks up color easily, but new growth requires more processing time. Leave color on your roots for the full time and only process ends for half the required time. It'll give you a nice even color from root to tip.
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.
Diffuse with your hair upside down and then flip it from one side to the next. An afro pick is a heatless way to add volume to your natural hair after your wash-and-go routine. You can also use a wide-tooth comb for this process. Hold your head down when picking your afro hair and start at the roots.
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.
Using a 20-volume developer instead of a 10-volume developer will result in a greater lift and a lighter color outcome. The higher hydrogen peroxide content helps open the hair cuticle more, allowing the color to penetrate deeper and lighten your natural shade.
20 volume hair developer
If you're looking to maintain your natural hair color or darken it slightly, 20 volume developer is a good option. It won't lighten your hair much, but it will help the hair dye to better penetrate the hair shaft and result in longer-lasting, more vibrant color.
Always Use a 20 Volume Developer
Since there is no pigment, there is no need to lift. You just need to open the cuticle enough to deposit the color. If you feel you can get full coverage using a 10 or 15 volume then by all means use a lower volume.
If you don't use developer, your hair color will not process properly. Developer is needed to open up the hair cuticle and activate the dye molecules. Without developer, the dye molecules will not penetrate the hair shaft, and your hair color will not change!
Hair color shades can be mixed but ONLY if they are the same type (permanent, demi-permanent, semi-permanent) AND the same brand.
Higher volumes of developer are used for darker and thicker hair types, while lower volumes are recommended for lighter or more delicate hair. Using a higher volume than recommended for thin or fine hair can lead to severe damage, dryness, and breakage.
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.