Should I use 10 or 20 developer for gray hair?

Author: Holden Leuschke IV  |  Last update: Friday, November 14, 2025

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.

Is 20 or 10 developer better for gray hair?

Grey needs at least a 10 volume and sometimes a 20 volume developer because grey hair is stubborn at opening up to accept color. It's coarser and the cuticle can be more tightly closed, making a 20vol necessary to open it more.

Which volume is best for gray hair?

20 volume is likely the most used developer in the salon. 20volume will give 1-2 levels of lift when used with permanent hair color. It is the standard developer for grey coverage, however, a stronger developer may be needed for more resistant hair types.

What developer is best for coloring gray hair?

20 Volume Developer: This is the most common choice for covering grey hair. It provides a little lift and is effective for achieving a more intense color. It's suitable for most grey coverage situations. 30 Volume Developer: This is used for more significant lift (usually one to two levels).

What happens if I use 10 developer instead of 20?

Hair dye volumes refer to the strength of the developer, which impacts the level of 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.

hair color developer explained- 10, 20, 30 & 40 volume | 2024

Should I use level 10 or 20 developer?

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.

What happens if you put grey hair dye on brown hair?

If your hair is brown, you may need to bleach it more than once before you apply the grey dye. It's important you get your hair as light as possible before you attempt to turn it grey – this will help ensure a more even tone and vibrant, all-over colour.

Why won't my gray hair hold color?

Pigment loss occurs naturally in hair as we age. Along with the changes in pigmentation, grey hairs can also undergo structural changes Grey hair is often also coarser. The outer cuticle layer of greys can be more tightly packed and layered, making them resistant to colour absorption.

What is the ratio of developer to color for gray hair?

The typical ratio is 1 part hair color to 1.5 or 2 parts developer for effective gray coverage.

Which hair dye is best for stubborn grey hair?

Permanent Hair Color for 100% Gray Coverage
  • 3063. Modena Brown - 5.5NNN. ...
  • 854. Parma Black - 2.5NNN. ...
  • 1307. Dosolo Brown - 5.5NNA. ...
  • 1710. Sondrio Brown - 6.5NNA. ...
  • 1322. Umbria Light Brown - 7.5NNA. ...
  • 2350. Novara Light Brown - 6.5NNN. ...
  • 1194. Lusia Dark Blonde - 8.5NNA. ...
  • 174. Bellagio Medium Blonde - 9.5NNA.

What is the 50 50 50 rule for gray hair?

The mean age of senile graying for Caucasians (whites) is mid-30s; for Asians of the late 30's; and for Africans of mid-40s. There is a practical declaration which states that at the age of 50, 50% of the population has 50% gray hair (rule of thumb) [4] . The gray of age varies according to race and ethnicity. ...

How long do you leave 20% developer in your hair?

Generally, a 20 volume developer can be left on for up to 30 minutes, but always read the instructions on the box and do a strand test beforehand to make sure that your hair can handle it.

Will 10 volume developer cover gray Reddit?

When I go dark I typically use a 10 vol over my Grey and they get covered okay but I find they fade first. I also only use demi or semi dye though, so that definitely affects the results.

Will a 10 volume developer lighten hair?

10 Volume (3%): Used for depositing colour without lifting the natural hair colour. This volume is suitable for toning or darkening. 20 Volume (6%): Provides moderate lift and is commonly used for covering grey hair or lightening natural hair colour by one to two shades.

What strength peroxide for grey hair?

For good grey coverage, we recommend 6% hydrogen peroxide. This is why at WECOLOUR this is the standard percentage that comes with your hair colour, unless you can choose the activator percentage yourself when ordering. If you do not have grey hair and only want one colour level lighter, you could also use 3%.

How to make hair color last longer on gray hair?

8 Ways to Make Hair Color Last Longer on Gray Hair
  1. First, Choose a Full Coverage Color. ...
  2. Protect Color with a Shade-Saving Shampoo. ...
  3. Hydrate and Shield Hair with Conditioners and Masks. ...
  4. Give Hair Pre- and Post-Swim Care. ...
  5. Fit a Water Filter on the Showerhead. ...
  6. Try a Color-Depositing Conditioner.

Is 10 or 20 developer better for gray 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.

What volume developer for stubborn gray hair?

Choose the Right Developer

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.

What is the best way to color grey hair?

Tips for covering grey hair
  1. Be clear about your desired results. Dyeing grey hair is a big step, so understandably you probably want to be sure you're going to get the colour that looks best on you. ...
  2. Consider using balayage to cover grey hair. ...
  3. Consider using highlights to cover greys. ...
  4. Opt for dyes formulated for grey hair.

How can I color my stubborn gray hair at home?

Our top tips for coloring resistant gray hair
  1. prepare your hair for coloring. ...
  2. find a product that provides up to 100% coverage of gray hair. ...
  3. use natural shades for best results. ...
  4. let your color develop longer. ...
  5. reduce the developer. ...
  6. know how much neutral tone to use. ...
  7. drop your color choice for root touch ups.

What is the best color-depositing conditioner?

Our favorite color-depositing conditioner is the dpHue Gloss+ thanks to its wide range of shades, easy application, and ability to soften and hydrate hair. For a clear gloss that adds shine to any hair color, we recommend the Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Sheer.

Why is my grey hair not white?

Eumelanin and pheomelanin are found in hair follicles in cells called melanocytes, which produce melanin. As we age, melanocytes decrease in number and less melanin is produced. Fewer melanocytes mean a lack of pigment in the hair, resulting in a silvery-gray color.

What is the best hair dye to cover grey?

Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Permanent Colour

A natural-looking colour that effectively covers grey is what most look for at an at-home hair dye, and you'll find exactly that in this one. There's a wide range of shades to choose from too, from a Honey Blonde, all the way through to Infinite Black.

Why does my grey hair go ginger when I dye it brown?

To avoid it going ginger or red then you must check what shade you are using. For example if the colour says golden, chocolate, mahogany, red, warm brown etc, these will all look 'ginger'. To achieve a rich colour, a basic shade must be added to create the depth (how dark it is).

What is grey blending?

Gray blending is a hair coloring technique that involves blending gray hairs with your base color to help soften the contrast between shades. Typically, the process involves either highlighting your hair or adding lowlights.

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