What developer is best for covering gray hair?

Author: Henderson Daugherty  |  Last update: Thursday, August 21, 2025

20 volume developer is also a good option if you're looking to cover up some gray hair. It won't lighten your hair, but it will help to deepen the color and make it last longer.

Can I use 30 developer to cover gray?

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).

Which volume is best 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.

Should I use 10 or 20 developer to darken hair?

If you are trying to go darker or just deposit the color, a low-level developer like a 10 vol (or lower in some brands) would be used. If you are using a permanent, they usually use a higher developer like 20, to lift the hair and deposit color at the same time.

Will 5N cover grey hair?

Herbatint Permanent Hair Dye For Women - 5N Light Chestnut - For Up To 100% Gray Coverage of Resistant Gray Hair - Ammonia-Free, Alcohol-Free & Vegan - Salon Influenced Hair color 5.75 fl oz.

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

What developer is best for stubborn grey 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 is the difference between 5N and 5NN hair color?

A: 5NN is double Pigment for grey coverage. It is NOT lighter than 5N. They are the same level but NN may appear slightly darker because of the extra pigment.

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.

Should I use 10 or 20 developer for grey hair?

Use 20 Vol developer for most grey hair coverage situations.

What happens if I use 10 volume developer with permanent color?

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.

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. ...

Is it better to go lighter or darker to cover gray hair?

Pick a lighter hair colour

A lighter colour will then look better. Your hair follicles produce less pigment as you're turning older. If there's no more pigment being produced in the hair follicles, your hair turns pigmentless.

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.

Why won't my grey hair hold color?

With grey the cuticle doesn't have pigment anymore so there's nothing the color can hold on to making them more resistant to color.

Will 20% developer lighten hair?

20 Volume Developer: Ideal for one to two levels of lightening and effective for gray coverage. Great for both depositing color and subtle lightening. 30 Volume Developer: Used for lifting color by up to three shades. This is a stronger developer and generally used for more dramatic color changes.

How to cover 100% grey hair?

8 Ways To Conceal Unwanted Grays Fast
  1. Try parting your hair differently. ...
  2. Consider permanent root coverage. ...
  3. Use an at-home hair dye for gray hair. ...
  4. Add highlights. ...
  5. Experiment with temporary color. ...
  6. Lean on hair accessories. ...
  7. Opt for a glossing treatment.

What developer covers grey best?

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 30 hair developer stronger than 20?

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 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.

Will 10 developer cover gray?

We do not recommend 10 Volume Developer for covering grays as 20vol has a higher concentration of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) to open the cuticle more for lift and deposit. However, if more than one level of lift is needed while also providing gray coverage, 30vol and 40vol can also technically be used.

How to choose the right developer for hair color?

If you're using semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color, you'll need a developer with a lower volume, between 3 and 20 Vol. If you're using a permanent hair color, you'll need a developer with a higher volume. This is usually between 20 and 30 Vol.

Does 10 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.

Is 5N a medium brown?

A: According to a rep at Clairol, "5 Medium Brown is a neutral shade while 5N is also neutral, but contains more yellow. 5N is designed to help with gray coverage more as that yellow fills in needed pigment."

Can you mix color fusion and cover fusion?

Process at room temperature for 35 minutes, or up to 45 minutes for more resistant hair types. Follow with Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner. NOTE: Cover Fusion is not intermixable with other Color Fusion shades.

Previous article
What stops growth in height?
Next article
What makeup was popular in the 1970s?