Q&A for How to Choose Developer for Hair Color

This depends on the type of color and the brand. For most permanent colors, you mix color and developer in a ratio of 1:1.

You should use the same brand as the bleach for the best consistency. It's also a good idea to use a low-volume developer, such as 10 or 20, for the least brassy shade and to minimize damage.

If you are mixing it with permanent color, you'll need to use 30 (for 1 level of lift) or 40 (for 2-3 levels of lift). If you are mixing it with bleach, any volume will lighten your hair.

If you have mixed it with permanent color, the processing time is usually 30 minutes. If you are lightening the hair or covering gray, it may take 45 minutes or more.

Not really. The process should be slow and you have to understand that some people simply can't achieve a platinum blonde. Talk to a professional and ask they to guide you through the process and through what is achievable for your specific hair.

Technically, you can, but I don't recommend it. If you have dark hair and want to keep it healthy, you should bleach it with a professional gradually, over the course of a few days or weeks.

Before you choose your developer, think about what color you are and what color you want to be. For instance, a volume 10 developer has minimal lift and is perfect for depositing a color close to your own. Volume 20 is good for covering gray hairs. Volume 30 can change you from a sandy blonde to a bright blonde, but not from dark brunette to platinum blonde. Each increment of 10 will change the level of your hair one level.

Henna is an herbal hair dye, and it cannot always be determined what the end result of dyeing your hair will be. Please, keep in mind that trying to highlight henna with chemicals may leave your hair greenish or may not even work at all. Pure henna should be put on bare hair - no oils, conditioner, no mixing with developer, etc. It would be better if you tried bleaching your hair first and dyeing your hair a certain color two weeks after the first process. It would minimize the risk of ending up with slightly green hair, and for sure the color's gonna be more vivid.

It depends on the type of hair dye. Manic Panic, Arctic Fox, and Ion, along with other demi/semi-permanent dyes can stay on quite awhile. However, leaving it on for extended periods typically has little to no effect. If the dye has bleach, do not leave it on for longer than recommended or it can damage your hair and scalp.

If your hair is darker, you might want to use 30 or 40 volume developer. The hot pink will not take very well to your hair if it hasn't been bleached much lighter beforehand. Be cautious, the stronger the developer, the more likely it is that your hair will have some damage.

Without seeing your hair, it's tricky to suggest, but generally, when aiming for red on silvery-gray hair mixtures, use 20 volume peroxide with your desired red color and a little brown color (only on the silvery hair) to prevent it from turning pink as it fades.

Using a 30 or 40 volume developer should be sufficient for changing your hair color.

The Davines brand, known for its professional-grade hair color products, offers options for grey coverage, including the "GE" tone, which often refers to a natural or golden-enhanced shade. The peroxide level and its ability to lift color depend on the developer used. Generally, 6 Volume (1.8%) deposits color without lifting, while 10 Volume (3%) is ideal for grey coverage with minimal lift.

The general rule is to use one part hair dye to two parts developer (1:2). So for 1 oz of hair color, you should use 2 oz of developer.

It depends on the tint color and whether you want the result to be lighter or darker.

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

If you're coloring your lighter mid-lengths and ends the same color as your roots, the best developer depends on the condition of your bleached hair. Generally, using a developer under 20 volume, such as 5, 6, 8.5, 10, or 15, is best for depositing color. To minimize damage, use a low-ammonia permanent color (under 3%) or a semi/demi deposit-only ammonia-free color.

Use a powder lightener with a low-volume developer to highlight your hair. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the best results.

To achieve the same bright reddish pink color on your dark roots, you should pre-lighten them first. This involves a two-step process: pre-lighten your roots, then shampoo, rinse, and apply your desired color.

Consult a physician if you have allergies to professional hair products. Developers contain hydrogen peroxide, fatty acids, and a conditioning agent like coconut oil. Most allergies are caused by the ammonia in the color, not the developer.

Most color removers come with an activator. Always read the manufacturer's recommendations first. If you are mixing your color remover from scratch, use this guideline: if the color originally required a developer, use 1 oz. powder lightener and 2 oz. of low-volume developer; for colors not needing a developer, use 1 oz. powder lightener, 1 oz. water, and 3 pumps of shampoo. Process until the color is gone.

If your desired copper shade is darker than your existing highlights, use a low-volume developer such as 5, 6, 8.5, 10, or 15 volume.

Consult a hair color specialist for a corrective color procedure. If your hair feels damaged, it's best to start with a deep conditioning treatment. A professional may use low-volume lightener for highlights and apply a color close to your natural shade to neutralize the orange tones.

Use a 20-volume developer to lift your hair by 2 shades and help cover greys. A 30-volume developer can lift hair 3-4 shades, but only use it on thick or coarse hair as it may be too harsh for fine hair. Avoid a 40-volume developer to prevent damage.

Check the manufacturer's information regarding the packaging contents. Not all hair color products require a developer.

The industry standard for gray coverage is a 20-volume developer. However, the color itself needs to contain ammonia or MEA to effectively cover gray hair.

You can leave the bleach on for 15-40 minutes. Check your hair every 5-10 minutes to see when your desired level of lightness is achieved and avoid over-processing.

To maintain the same color level, use a 7 Vol. to 10 Vol. developer. For slightly lighter shades (1 to 2 levels), use 15 Vol. to 20 Vol. For 3 to 4 levels lighter, use 25 Vol. to 30 Vol.

All salon-exclusive professional brands are great. Redken, Matrix, and Paul Mitchell are excellent choices. The difference will depend on how the color reacts with your hair and lifestyle.

The developer you use depends on your desired outcome. Are you looking to go lighter or darker, and is your hair already color-treated or virgin?