10 Volume Developer: Uses, Ratio, Best Benefits—Complete Guide
What is 10 volume developer: When and How to use it – Complete guide
Imagine you want to color your hair. You went to a beauty store and saw a shelf full of hair color products and felt completely lost?
You thought there would be just a single developer used with all the colors, but here, there are actually many different developers, each with a different number (10 volume, 20 volume, 30 volume, etc.), and the confusing part is which one is right for me. How to pick.
Then I remember once my friend told me that if you just want to deposit color, you only need a 10 volume developer. Don’t pick a higher-number developer, as they will lift your color. For toning and depositing color, 10 volume is perfect.
I was right there at the beauty shop; I phoned my friend to reconfirm about it. She said exactly what I thought: “Buy only 10 volume developer.”
By that time, I had no idea about 10 volume developer. But today in this guide, I will share with you all the details about it (10 volume developer), and by the end, you will know what the 10 volume developer is used for and how it works.
What is 10 volume developer?
A 10 volume developer contains 3% hydrogen peroxide. It is considered a gentle and weak developer. It can’t lift the color, unlike other higher volumes (20, 30, 40), which are usually designed to lift the color (lighten the color). The major work of a 10 volume developer is that it just deposits color on hair cuticles and doesn’t lift.
Let’s understand the volume of developers, and their use
- 10 volume: Contains 3% peroxide. It can’t lift color, just deposit. Very gentle
- 20 volume: Contains 6% peroxide. It lifts 1-2 levels. Medium Strong. Good for covering grays.
- 30 volume: Contains 9% peroxide. It lifts 2-3 levels. It’s strong and good for lifting black color to dark blond, and also it covers resistant gray hairs that 20 volume fails to cover.
- 40 volume: Contains 12% peroxide. It lifts 4+ levels. Very strong. Use only if you want a dramatic change, like from black to vibrant red or platinum. Should be used by professionals only.
10 volume developer: its main duty is depositing, not lifting
- As it contains low peroxide (3%), it can’t lift color; it just opens the hair cuticles just enough to push color molecules inside and lock them in.
- It refreshes faded color: It adds vibrancy to already colored hair without any lifting.
- It neutralizes unwanted warm tones
- It can cover grays without lifting the previous color. But sometimes it fails to cover some resistant or stubborn gray hair; for that, you need 20 volume instead.
- If you have light blonde and just want to go dark blonde, you can use 10 volume developer.
Why can’t a 10 volume developer lift color
10 volume developer is designed to deposit the color and for toning. It releases very little oxygen, so melanin remains intact, whereas higher developers release so much oxygen to break the melanin.
If 10 volume developer can’t lift color, then what’s the use of it?
- If you want to go from light brunette to dark brown and don’t want to lift color. You can use a 10 volume developer, as it won’t lift, plus it deposits the dark pigment in the hair cuticles and seals it.
- For adding shine, you can use 10 volume developer. For example, mix 10 volume developer with a “0” or clear demi-permanent color. As it is “0”, there will be no pigment in the color tube. 10 volume opens the hair cuticle slightly, allowing the conditioner to go inside and close the cuticle. As a result, you will get glossy, shiny hair without changing your color.
- 10 volume developer refresh faded color: if you have colored your hair 2 months ago, and now mid-length hair and ends have faded from brown to lighter brown. You can re-deposit the same pigment onto the faded mid-length hair and ends by using a 10 volume developer.
Can’t I use water with color instead of using 10 volume color?
If you use color with water, hair cuticles won’t open, and the color will coat the outside of the hair temporarily and wash out whenever you wash your hair.
Whereas if you use color with 10 volume, as we know it contains just 3% peroxide, it opens the hair cuticle a little and lets the color go inside, and then seals it.
How to use 10 volume developer safely
- Always use a plastic bowl to mix color with 10 volume developer instead of a metal bowl. Metal can react negatively.
- Use either a 1:1 or 1:2 Ratio: Always check the box color for the mixing ratio; it mostly says “1:1 ratio,” but some allow 1 part of color with 2 parts of developer. So read the specification carefully before mixing.
- Never save leftover mixed color: Once you mix color with developer, the chemical reaction starts and will last for the next 45 minutes. After 1 hour, it is useless. Throw it out.
- Do a strand test: if you have fine or weak hair, or any doubt, you should do a strand test. Take a tiny piece of hair from underneath. Apply a mixture of color and 10 volume developer on it. Leave it for 30-45 minutes, then check if your hair remains fine. Then proceed.
- Don’t use 10 volume with bleach powder: Bleach usually works with a higher volume developer. If there is any doubt, consult with a stylist.
- Want to lift color? Don’t use 10 volume if you want to change your color from black to ash brown. You should use either 30 volume or 40 volume, as 10 volume is not meant for lifting color.
- Don’t leave it for too long: 10 volume developer is gentle, but that doesn’t mean you should keep it for 1 or 2 hours. If you do so, your hair may dry out.
FAQs
- Can I mix any hair color with 10 volume developer?
Yes, 10 volume developer works with all permanent and demi-permanent colors. But before buying color, always check the box, as some color brands allow only specific developers.
- Can 10 volume developer damage my hair?
No, in most of the cases, it is a lower volume and contains 3% peroxide, but if you use it frequently or keep it for longer than 1 hour, you might see dry or frizzy hair. Don’t keep it more than 45 minutes, and follow up with a deep conditioner.
- Can I mix 20 volume with 10 volume developer to get 15 volume?
Technically, you can do it, but it is risky. You might not get the desired result. You should consult with the stylist about it first.
- How long can I leave 10 volume developer on my hair?
Max 45 minutes. It depends on hair type, for example, if you have fine and thin hair. You should keep it for 20 – 30 minutes. But if you have thick and resistant gray hair or it was previously colored, you can wait up to 45 minutes. Keep checking in every 10 minutes.
- Can I mix shampoo or conditioner with 10 volume developer?
No. 10 volume developer is meant for mixing with color or toner only. If you use 10 volume with shampoo or conditioner, your hair becomes dry and brittle. Furthermore, uneven color can be seen, and you may feel burning or irritation on your scalp.
- Can I use 10 volume developer on previously bleached hair?
Yes, you can. It is safe if you use 10 vol with bleached hair. It gently deposits color and repairs porous and damaged hair.
Conclusion:
Now you know about the 10volume developer, what it does, and when to use it.
Recaps:
- 10 volume developer is not meant for lifting color (lighter shades)
- It meant for deposit color and toning
- It brings smoothness and shine to previously bleached hair without lifting.
- It is a lower volume, has less (3% peroxide), and is safe for all hair types.
- Don’t use it with bleach.
If you want dramatic lightening or cover-resistant stubborn grays, you should use a higher volume developer (20, 30, or 40 volumes).
If you have no knowledge of any product, you must consult with the concerned person before using it.
Healthy hair is more important than any color or developer.
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