What happens if I use a 10% developer with a permanent hair color?

Author: Sydnee Hackett  |  Last update: Thursday, May 8, 2025

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. If the hair is a finer fabric it could over a slight one level lighter shift in base color and grey blending.

Can I use a 10 volume developer with permanent hair color?

You can only mix developer with colour if it is permanent or demi-permanent (although demi-permanent hair colour should only be used with a developer 10 vol or lower).

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.

What happens if you mix developer with permanent hair dye?

You can mix hair developer with color dye without using bleach, as long as you're using a permanent or semi-permanent hair dye that is designed to be mixed with a developer. The developer activates the color and helps it penetrate the hair shaft, resulting in a more vibrant and long-lasting color.

How much 10% developer do I mix with hair dye?

Mixing Ratio: - The typical mixing ratio is 1:1 for most permanent dyes and developers. For example, if you use 2 ounces of dye, mix it with 2 ounces of developer. - Some brands may recommend different ratios, so always check the instructions on the dye packaging.

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What happens if I use more developer than color?

Using too much developer can lead to over-processing, which means that the hair cuticles can get damaged, leaving the hair looking dull, dry, and brittle. Plus, the color won't turn out the way you want it to, and you might even end up with a funky, uneven color that looks like a unicorn threw up on your head.

What happens if you put 10 developer on your hair?

10 volume: This is a mild low-level of developer. This is useful if you only want to slightly change the color of your hair. It's also a good volume to use with a lot of toners. 20 volume: This is stronger than 10 volume and it's commonly used for lightening hair at home as it lifts 1 to 2 levels.

How much developer to use with Ion permanent hair color?

Application: Using a non-metallic bowl, mix 2 oz. of ion Color Brilliance with 2 oz. of ion Sensitive Scalp Creme Developer. Mixing ratio 1:1. Mixing ratio for High Lift shades is 1:2.

Can you mix conditioner with permanent hair dye and developer?

Both permanent and developer-based dyes should not be mixed with conditioner.

What strength developer for permanent 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 darken hair?

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.

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.

Will 10 volume cover gray hair?

Always Use a 20 Volume Developer

Gray hair tends to be resistant and typically takes longer to grab hold of the hair.

What happens if you use 10 volume developer with toner?

10 volume will allow the toner to deposit more color, 20 volume will deposit less. Once you decide which toner shade and developer you will use, measure using a hair color measuring cup and mix 1 oz. toner to 1 oz. creme developer using a hair color application brush and mixing bowl.

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.

Can I mix semi-permanent hair color with permanent?

Hair color shades can be mixed but ONLY if they are the same type (permanent, demi-permanent, semi-permanent) AND the same brand.

What happens if you add conditioner to permanent hair dye?

Therefore, we should avoid mixing demipermanent or permanent hair dyes with conditioner, (2) as it could interfere with the chemical reaction and can give your hair a patchy or inconsistent color.

What happens when you mix developer and hair dye?

But did you know that by adding developer mix hair dye, you can achieve even more vibrant and longer-lasting results? Developer is a hydrogen peroxide solution that activates the semi-permanent color molecules and helps them penetrate deeper into the hair shaft.

How to lighten permanent hair dye?

How to Lighten Hair Dyed Too Dark with a DIY Approach
  1. Use a paste of Baking Soda and Lemon Juice.
  2. Wash your Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar.
  3. Take some Vitamin C Tablets.
  4. Wash Hair With Clarifying Shampoo.
  5. Use Purple or Blue Shampoo for Brassy Tones.
  6. Do a Bleach Bath.
  7. Bleed the Color Out.
  8. Use Hair Lightener or Toner.

How much 10 developer to mix with color?

When coloring level-on-level or darker, you can use 10 or 20 Vol developer. Once again, the mix should always be respected: 1 part color to 1 part developer.

What happens if you put too much developer in permanent hair dye?

Dryness and Damage: As mentioned earlier, higher volumes of developers can cause severe damage and dryness. If you use too much hair colour and developer, the excess peroxide can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage.

Do I shampoo after ion permanent hair color?

The general rule of thumb is to wait at least 48 hours before shampooing after a permanent hair color. This gives the color time to set and prevents it from bleeding out when you wash it. If your salon uses a toner, they may tell you to wait even longer—up to 72 hours—before shampooing.

Can I use 10 developer with permanent color?

Refer to our guide below. 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.

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.

Can I use 10 developer to go darker?

Use 10 Vol for level on level-on-level coloring and going darker. Use 20 Vol for 1-2 levels lift, for toning blonde hair and for grey hair coverage.

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