20 Volume Developer: Uses, Ratio, Best Benefits—Complete Guide
What is 20 volume developer? Let’s know everything about it
You know what? When I first heard the name of “20 volume developer,” it sounded like something belong to a chemistry lab. I still remember when I was standing in the beauty supply aisle, looking at a shelf where 20 volume developer bottles were displayed. I was wondering myself: Is it bleach or glue? Why does Salon use it?
Later on, after a few weeks, I went to the salon, and I again saw the same bottle of “20 volume developer.” I immediately asked the stylist, “Where is it used? Is it bleach or what?” She smiled and replied, “This is a developer used with hair color or bleach. ” Whenever we need to color our hair, we need to mix it with bleach or hair color to get the desired shade; without it, we can’t get the result we’re looking for.
That was the first day I got to know about the developers.
In this guide, we will go through what is a 20 volume developer? And what is a 20 volume developer used for?
Let’s understand what is 20 volume developer?
A 20 volume developer is a liquid containing 6% hydrogen peroxide. There are multiple numbers of developers available in the market, such as 10, 20, 30, 40 volume developers, and so on. The number indicates the developer’s strength; the higher the number, the stronger it is. The main use of developer is that it opens the hair cuticles and lets color or bleach penetrate and change the natural color of the hair.
Understand the points (Given below)
- We can’t use developer alone; it needs to be mixed either with bleach or hair color.
- When we mix the developer with bleach or color and apply the mixture to the hair.
- The developer opens hair cuticles (outer layer of hair) so that bleach or color can penetrate inside them and lift out the natural color.
Let’s understand more deeply: what is a 20 volume developer used for?
Now, you understand the basics, what developer usually do? Such as, it opens the hair cuticles and lets the color go inside. Let’s explore more about what a 20 volume developer is used for in real life.
- Permanent hair color: if you have gray hair and want to cover it. In that case, 20 volume is our best friend, as it lifts the natural hair color by 1 or 2 levels quite easily.
- Want a slightly lighter shade: if you have brown hair and want to turn to caramel, or you have dark blonde and want to be light blonde? Here 20 volume developer does the work perfectly.
- For brassy hair: if your hair turns brassy. A toner mixed with 20 volume eliminates orange tones and gives a cool, beige blonde.
Advice: If you just want to darken your hair, like going from brown to dark brown. You should use 10 volume developer instead of 20 volume and leave 20 volume for covering grays or going to 1-2 shade lighter.
How to use 20 volume developer correctly
- Use a plastic bowl: Always use a plastic bowl for mixing 20 volume developer with color or dye, and avoid metal tools, as it reacts badly with the developer.
- Follow a 1:1 ratio for mixing: use both developer and hair color or dye equally, like
1 ounce of color + 1 ounce of 20 volume developer.
- Mix until smooth: mix both color and developer until they become creamy
- Apply immediately: Once you have mixed both (color and developer) properly, apply the mixture immediately, as its active power remains for 40 to 45 minutes. Apply it quickly but carefully, too.
- Processing time: Leave it for max 45 minutes. Once you have applied the mixture to your hair, wait for 45 minutes and keep checking in every 10 minutes. Remember, don’t leave it for more than 45 minutes, as it contains chemicals that can damage hair if you leave it for too long.
- Rinse with cold water: Rinse your hair with cold water only and don’t use shampoo. Don’t use hot water, as hot water can open the cuticles and remove the color from hair. You can use lukewarm water, too.
Mistakes that mostly women make
- Leave it for too long: Don’t leave the mixture of developer and bleach for more than 45 minutes max. It doesn’t matter if you got the desired color or not. Keeping it for a long time (up to 1 hour or more) can damage your hair. Your hair became gummy or frizzy.
- Using on damaged hair: if you have fine and damaged hair. Use 10 volume developer instead of 20 volume.
- Don’t use it for toning if you simply want to tone your hair. Use a lower 10 volume.
- Always use cold water: many women rinse their hair with hot water. Don’t make this mistake. Hot water opens the hair cuticles and strips the color.
FAQs
- Can I use 20 volume developer alone without hair color?
No. A developer can’t be used alone. Using it alone can damage your hair. Always use it with bleach or color.
- How long do I leave the 20 volume developer on my hair?
Maximum 45 minutes. Don’t leave it for more than 45 minutes max, as it contains chemicals that can damage your hair if kept for too long (an hour or more).
- Is 30 volume developer stronger than 20 volume developer?
Yes, a 30 volume developer is stronger than 20 vol. It (30 volume) contains 9% peroxide and can lift color up to 3 levels, whereas 20 volume developer has 6% peroxide that lifts the color by 1-2 levels.
- Can a 20 volume developer damage my hair?
Yes and no. If you have thin or fine hair, then 20 volume can damage your hair if wrongly used, like frequently using it (don’t use more than once in 4-5 weeks), keeping it on your hair for a long time (more than 1 hour), or using hot water for rinsing. In all these conditions, a 20 volume developer can damage your hair.
- Can I use 20 volume developer for my natural black hair?
Yes. If you just want to go from black to brown. 20 volume developer works fine, but if you want to go blonde from black, you need to use either 30 volume or 40 volume developer because 20 volume can’t lift the color from black to blonde.
Conclusion:
Friends, I probably explained to you when you should use 20 vol developer.
If you have dark hair, such as black or dark brown, and just want to go one shade lighter, such as light brown, you can use 20 volume developer. But going from black to blonde, you need a higher developer, like 30 or 40 volume developer.
While using the developer, you must follow these simple rules
- Always use 1:1 ratio (1 ounce of developer + 1 ounce of color or bleach)
- Leave it on hair for no more than 45 minutes
- Rinse with cold water instead of hot water.
That’s it. You are done. Now you know what a 20-volume developer is and how to use it.