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.
Developer Volume: - 20 Volume Developer: This is the most common choice for covering gray hair. It provides enough lift to cover gray while allowing the color to deposit effectively.
10 volume developer doesn't cover grey hair, regardless of how long you leave it on. A 10 volume is used for deposit and a slight lift, but not enough lift needed to cover grey. At best it will blend the grey but they will still be visible. To fully cover grey hair you need to use 20 volume.
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.
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.
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.
The typical ratio is 1 part hair color to 1.5 or 2 parts developer for effective gray coverage.
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. ...
One of the most popular uses of 20 volume developer is to cover gray hair. Since gray hair is more resistant to color, 20 volume provides the necessary lift and penetration to ensure full coverage.
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.
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.
A great rule of thumb is to do a 50/50 mixture when covering gray hair. That's 50 percent of your formula as a natural shade on the desired level, and 50 percent of a target or fashion shade.
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.
A: The 500 series is for gray coverage, basically because gray hair is hard to cover. 20 volume is the recommended usage because it opens the cuticle farther for penetration of color molecules. 10 volume is for deposit only and will not penetrate as well, nor cover as well.
Cool shades like ash blonde and mushroom brown are among the best hair colors to hide grays, since the cool tones won't clash with your silvery streaks.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COVER GRAY HAIR? To boil it down, there are essentially two different types of color your colorist will use to cover gray hair—demi-permanent or permanent. Demi-permanent haircolor options, like Redken's Shades EQ Gloss, deliver non-permanent pigment that will gradually fade over time.
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'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.
✅ Here are some other ways to cover grey: 👉🏼 PERMANENT COLOR WITH 10 VOL: sometimes 20 volume exposes too much warmth or gives too much lift. Try 10 or even 15 volume! (In most cases, unless the grey is reallllyyyy super resistant, I can get grey coverage with 10 or 15 vol).
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.
Made by using a combination of highlights and lowlights, Keading says you get a softer line of demarcation when your roots grow out and it gives you a subtle dimension throughout.
Gray Magic adds concentrate red and yellow with wetting agents to replace the lost color pigment and moisture, to 'lock-in' hair color. When added to shampoos or conditioners, will prevent fading and oxidtation for tinted red or warm colors (10 drops per ounce of shampoo or conditioner).
The outer cuticle layer of greys can be more tightly packed and layered, making them resistant to colour absorption. As a result, it can be more difficult to colour resistant grey hair and to cover visible regrowth.
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.
Natural. Natural tones (N) are neutral in color, which means they contain a balance of warm and cool tones. They are best for covering gray hair. PRO-TIP: N is best for covering gray hair and giving a natural-looking result. Since gray hairs have lost their natural pigment, they soak up dyes more readily.