How to Use 40 Volume Developer on Dark Hair with Bleach at Home
How to Use 40 Volume Developer on Dark Hair with Bleach at Home
One year ago, I saw a video on TikTok featuring a performer with blond hair. I loved her blonde hair and wished to have the same color of my hair. I have been through that phase.
However, getting blonde hair from dark brown or black is not an easy task. For this, you need strong stuff like 40 volume developer that helps to lighten your dark brown or black color to blonde or lighter. Yet, 40 volume developer can’t achieve that blonde or silver color alone; you need a bleach powder along with it. The duo can make your dream a reality.
What is 40 volume developer, and why should we use it?
40 volume developer is a very strong chemical liquid that works with bleach powder. It goes inside your hair and breaks the melanin.
Think this way: first, the developer opens your hair strand, and then the bleach goes inside it and cleans out the color.
Question: Why do you need only 40 volume developer instead of other developers like 10, 20, or 30 volume developers?
Answer: The higher the number is, the stronger it will be. 10, 20, or 30 volume developers are less powerful, and they can change color from black to silver. They can just lift the color shade up to 3-4 levels. Let’s understand below.
- 10 volume developer simply tones your hair
- 20 volume lifts the color by one or two shades.
- 30 volume work can work for achieving blond color, but still it won’t give you silver color.
- 40 volume is the strongest of all; it lifts hair color by 4 to 5 levels. Through this, you can achieve a silver color.
So, if you have dark brown or black hair, you want to change it to silver or blonde. You should opt for 40 volume developer with bleach. However, you need to be careful, as it is very strong and powerful, and if used incorrectly, it can damage your hair.
Why do we need a 40 volume developer?
If your hair color is light, like light brown, then 20 or 30 volume developer with bleach can achieve your desired color. But if your hair is jet black or dark brown, then you need a 40 volume developer because dark hair has a lot of melanin, and low volume developers can’t break it.
But a 40 volume developer is quite strong; you should not apply it at home if you don’t have proper knowledge. If you leave it on your hair for too long, it will burn your hair, which is why this procedure should be performed only at an experienced salon.
Let’s understand the step-by-step process
Step 1: Why is a is the strand test important?
A friend of mine once applied bleach directly on her hair, which result, she felt burning sensation on her scalp after that. You don’t make that mistake. The first rule is to do a strand test. Select a small strand of your hair, apply a mixture of 40 volume developer and bleach on it, and now observe how much time it takes for the color to change.
Applying this directly to your entire head without doing a strand test is like playing with fire.
Step 2: First, protect your scalp
The scalp is usually very delicate; applying 40 volume developer directly on it can burn it. Before applying bleach, apply petroleum jelly to your forehead, neck, and edges. Petroleum jelly prevents the chemical from reaching the scalp. The first time I colored my hair, I didn’t know about the strand tests, petroleum jelly, etc., so I applied developer without it, and I got red rashes and a burning sensation on my scalp. Don’t skip this step while using bleach with 40 volume developer on your dark hair.
Mix the 40 volume developer with bleach in a correct ratio
The correct ratio is 1 scoop of bleach powder with 2 scoops of 40 volume developer. Now stir it well. Not too runny. Not too thick.
Step 3: Now section your hair
Divide your unwashed and dried hair into 4 sections. Start applying the mixture on one section, and after completing it, go to the other section.
How to apply bleach carefully
Start applying bleach 1 inch away from the scalp. Due to the heat of your head, bleach works faster on the roots.
Step 5: Waiting time
Once you have applied bleach to your complete head. Check your hair color every 10 minutes, as 40 volume developer works fast. After 15 to 20 minutes, you will see lightening in your hair. Wash your hair after 40 to 45 minutes, maximum, even if you do not get the desired light color, as keeping it for more than 45 minutes can ruin your hair health. Remember, hair health always comes first.
Common mistakes many people make
- Don’t leave it for too long—leaving 40 volume developer on hair for more than 45 minutes can be dangerous. Hair can break.
- Strand test – don’t skip the strand test before applying it to the entire head of hair.
- Don’t do bleach frequently—give your hair enough time to heal. Avoid doing bleaching 2 times in a day
- Use less volume developer if you have thin or weak hair.
- Use a 20 or 30 volume developer for lifting 2-3 shades—don’t always opt for a 40 volume developer when a less voluminous developer can do the same job. Don’t put your hair in danger.
Aftercare
So, you have done hair color; congratulations! Now it’s time for aftercare. Follow the aftercare tips.
- Always use Sulfate-free shampoo for long-lasting results
- Wash your hair with cold or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water.
- Every 3 days, do deep conditioning
- Use purple shampoo. Using purple shampoo is good for stopping brassiness.
FAQs about using 40 volume developer with bleach on your dark hair.
- I have virgin black hair. Can I use 40 volume developer with bleach?
Yes, it works best on virgin hair, but always do a strand test before applying it completely on your entire head.
- After applying 40 volume developer and bleach, how long should I leave it on my dark hair?
Leave it for a maximum of 20 to 40 minutes. Check your hair every 10 minutes. Don’t leave it for more than 50 minutes, even if you feel that the color has not changed perfectly.
- Will using 40 volume developer damage my hair?
Yes, 40 volume developer is very strong. If you apply it wrongly can cause damage to your hair. Hair can dry out and also cause breakage. If you have thin or weak hair, use 20 or 30 volume developer instead.
- If I mix 40 volume developer with bleach and leave it on hair for too long (for 1 hour or so), what will happen?
Your hair becomes stretchy and gummy and dry. In the worst case, it can melt your hair. Always set a timer and keep checking your hair color every 10 minutes.
- I just need to tone my hair. Should I use 40 volume developer?
No. 40 volume developer is a very strong developer used for lifting color to 4 to 5 levels (silver or blonde). If you just need to tone your hair, a 10 or 20 volume developer is best for you.
Conclusion
The answer to this question, “Can I use 40 volume developer with bleach on my dark hair?” is yes if you have healthy, black or dark brown hair and you want to change it to blonde or silver color. In that case, you need to use 40 volume developer with bleach.
But for just toning or lifting 2-3 shades of color, you must opt for 10, 20, or 30 volume developer.
Think of it this way: the higher the volume, the lighter the color.
I recommend that if you have fragile or thin hair, you don’t take the risk of using 40 volume developer; instead, use a lower volume developer. The health of your hair always comes first.