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.
Damage: Excessive use of developer can cause damage to your hair, such as dryness, breakage, and split ends.
Uneven color: Excessive developer can cause the hair dye to process too quickly, leading to uneven color distribution (1). This means that some parts of your hair may appear darker or lighter than others, resulting in an inconsistent and patchy color.
Bleach should always be mixed according to the directions. You can make your bleach stronger by using a stronger developer. Developer is usually always 2 ounces of developer to 2 ounces of bleach or color. You cannot always go by that because different companies have different directions .
“It all depends on how light you want to go and what was previously done to the hair,” says Pearl. “On virgin hair, you can most likely lift up to seven levels [in one session]. This can become harder on a darker level hair.”
You can lift natural hair up to three levels lighter with a 9% developer, or achieve up to five levels of lift with a 12% developer. You're also able to combine mix tones with Special Blonde shades to create truly bespoke colours.
Can I bleach it again? Repeated bleaching is not recommended since you're putting yourself at risk of overprocessing and breakage. If you do bleach again, make sure to wait 3 weeks to give your hair cuticle enough time to heal, close and lay flat again.
Read the directions on your lightener and developer materials, not all brands are the same, but most bleach mix calls for a 2:1 ratio (meaning two parts developer to one part lightener).
It's crucial to choose the appropriate developer volume based on your client's desired hair colour outcome and the condition of their hair. Higher volume developers can be more damaging to the hair, so it's important to follow the instructions provided with the hair dye or bleach product.
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.
If you use too much developer, it can damage your hair. Another common mistake is not using enough developer. If you don't use enough, the hair dye won't work properly and your color will not be the right shade. Developer is an important part of the hair coloring process, so it's important to get it right.
We recommend leaving the bleach in the hair for 15-45 minutes. Because some people will experience their desired lift in less time, always check the hair every 5 minutes or so throughout the process.
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.
Re-Dye the Hair a Darker Colour
Now, we understand you might be a bit nervous to put more dye on your hair after your bleaching disaster. However, dyeing your hair a darker colour is the fastest way to resolve badly bleached hair.
Generally, 10 Volume developer isn't strong enough to effectively bleach hair. If you require significant lightening of hair, use 20, 30 or 40 volume developer. Make sure to follow product instructions or consult a hair professional for the best results.
A Volume 40 developer is only used for lightening and can lift up to 8 levels. It is recommended for use with a lightening cream or powder for those who want to achieve blonde results.
What happens if you put too much developer in hair dye? Oh boy, that's a recipe for disaster! 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.
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.
1:2 bleach to developer means use twice as much developer as bleach (like 3 ounces bleach and 6 ounces developer). But sometimes with bleach, if it says 1:1 ratio and it seems thick, you can use a 1:1.5 ratio or a 1:2 ratio if you want.
Highlights: For foil highlights via bleaching, she suggests waiting six to eight weeks—or until new growth is about 1 inch—to prevent overlap and maintain hair health. This also applies for treatments like balayage.
LIGHTENER - UP TO 7 LEVELS OF LIFT. This easy-to-use powder supports the neutralisation of yellow effects, while delivering stunning clear blonde results.
Washing Out & Covering Bleach
Rinse the bleach from your hair using warm water, then wash your hair with a mild shampoo. To dye over bleached hair, choose a final color of dye, then build up to that color in stages.
If you tried to lighten your hair but the end result was a brassy orange colour, there's a good chance you're a brunette. Darker hair is made up of several underlying pigments which give your brown, dark brown or black hair depth and dimension, and red and orange are the most dominant undertones.