What will a 30 volume developer do?

Author: Dr. Tabitha Gusikowski Sr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

30-volume developers contain 9% hydrogen peroxide. These developers provide a lift up to four levels and are perfect for people with thick hair. This is ideal if you are intending on shifting to a blonde or a platinum blonde. It is usable and can be used with a lightening scram, a powder, or permanent hair color.

What happens if you use 30 developer instead of 20?

Using 30 volume for a dye meant for 20 volume can sometimes leave the hair too brassy bc it doesn't contain enough pigment for 3 levels of lift.

Can a 30 volume developer lighten hair by itself?

Because 30 volume developer cannot bring effectively to lighten your hair by only itself. It just makes your hair a little lighter than your natural color hair. Hence, in order to get the full effect, 30 volume developer should be combined with bleach powder or dye powder to lighten your hair fastest.

How many levels does 30 volume developer lift without bleach?

The 30 Volume (9%) developer is ideal for achieving more dramatic color changes, lifting hair by 2-3 levels and creating noticeable lightening. It is effective for lightening dark hair to a medium shade, though it may cause scalp irritation.

Is 30 volume developer too strong?

Any time you use a 30-volume developer on hair, it will cause some level of damage. However, when applied properly on the right type and texture of hair, a 30-volume developer will be just fine.

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

How long do you let 30% developer in your hair?

One of the most common questions is: How long to leave 30 volume developer on hair? In general, it's recommended to leave it on for 15–30 minutes, depending on how much lift you're looking for. However, going over this time can cause significant damage.

How damaging is 30 vol developer?

30 Volume Developers

It is usable and can be used with a lightening scram, a powder, or permanent hair color. It is advisable to stay away from this developer if you are not a hair coloring professional because it contains high concentrations of peroxide and might cause hair damage if not used with care.

Will 30% developer lighten black hair?

Using 30 Vol developer with a high lift color on dark hair

You can get good highlights that way. Of course, you won't get to level 10 blonde. But you will get very nice highlights.

What happens if you use more developer than hair 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.

Which developer is best for dark hair?

Developer choice for level-on-level coloring or coloring darker
  • 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 level developer is in Box Dye?

The developer found in box color ranges between 20 and 40 volume because that is what is needed to cover gray or to change a very dark shade. Frequently coating the hair shaft with a high volume developer will cause damage, particularly if the starting condition is weakened or fragile.

Is high lift color permanent?

High Lift Color On Colored Hair

Color does not lift color, and at the end of the day, a high lift is just that — permanent hair color.

Can I use 30 vol on roots?

Use 30 Vol developer when the hair is very dark and when you want an ultra white blonde result. Be careful: this bleach processes very fast, especially at the root area. You will need to work fast and rinse fast.

What's stronger, a 20 or 30 developer?

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 .

How long do you let bleach sit in your hair?

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.

What is level 7 hair?

The level system is made up of 10 numbers which help determine the depth level of your natural hair. 1 is black, 5 is light brown, 6 is dark blonde, 7 is blonde and 10 is the lightest blonde.

How many shades does 30 vol lift?

30 Volume (9%) Developer

It works similarly to a Volume 20 developer, except it lifts a hair starting color by 2-3 levels and is best used when the desired color is no more than 2 levels lighter than the current hair 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.

What is a good substitute for hair developer?

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil helps to penetrate and nourish the no-lift hair, making it an excellent natural alternative to developer. Plus, it can help reduce damage and dryness caused by chemical-based developers.

How long should I leave 30% developer in my hair to lighten it?

If your client's hair is dark blonde/light brown (level 5-6), aim at around 30 minutes using 30 Vol developer. If your client's hair is brown/dark brown (level 4-5), aim at around around 30-40 minutes using 30 Vol developer with fresh mix added in during processing time.

How much does a 30 volume developer lift?

If you used 30 volume developer, that would only lift you 3–4 shades lighter, which is medium brown. The lightest blonde shade level is 10 (using the standard level system). This is why everyone always says you can't go from black to platinum blonde in one sitting.

What does a 30 volume developer do?

30 volume developer is ideal for lifting 2-4 levels using permanent hair color depending on the texture of the hair. It can also be used for grey coverage on more resistant hair types. Thirty volume should never be used for basic deposit only color as it will blast the cuticle for no reason.

What developer to use to cover 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.

Can 30 developer make hair fall out?

Yes. Developer can damage hair.

What volume developer is least damaging?

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.

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