What is 40 volume developer? How to use it – Complete guide
What is 40 volume developer? How to use it – Complete guide
If you were at a beauty store, holding a bottle of 40 volume developer, and thought, “This will turn my hair vibrant gold in one try. “You are making a big mistake.
My friend did the same; her hair became frizzy and snapped off while washing.
Story: My friend’s name is Maria; she has black hair. One day, she was very excited and told me to change her hair. She said, I want an ice blonde color for next weekend.” So, she bought the bottle of 40 volume developer, as she read somewhere that if she wanted to have ice blonde, then 40-volume developer would be the right choice.
She had no knowledge of the strand test, timing, what ratio to mix, etc.
She came back home and mixed it with bleach powder at an inappropriate ratio (1 part of color: 2 parts of developer). Applied it thoroughly all over her head, then again made another big mistake, keeping the mixture on her hair for more than 1 hour, thinking, “More time means lighter hair.”
When she rinsed her hair, her hair became like cotton candy, and the middle was orange; then the ends became brown. Her hair became dry and lifeless and started falling out whenever she combed her hair.
She cried a lot and told me the whole story. I immediately told her to go to a salon to get this mess fixed. She had to spend about $350 there.
That horrible experience of my friend taught me this lesson: when it comes to health, you are not aware of the product. You must consult with a professional first.
Today, in this guide, we are going to know about what is 40 volume developer? And when and how to use it safely?
What is 40 volume developer?
It is a very strong developer among other developers. It is also called hydrogen peroxide. It is used for hair coloring. It is designed to lift 4+ levels in a single session.
Its key characteristics
- Maximum Strength: It contains 12% hydrogen peroxide. Very powerful, not recommended for home use.
- High Lift Power: It can lift the color by 4+ levels (good for achieving lighter blonde or vibrant red from black).
- Fast Processing: It processes very fast compared to other lower volumes, as it is so strong. Highly recommended; use it under a professional’s supervision.
Tips that experts follow
- Add a bond builder or Olaplex: Mix 3 – 4 drops in bleach to protect your hair from severe damage.
- Watch the consistency: The mixture of developer and bleach/dye should be thick, like cream. If it is runny, it will drip everywhere and give you an uneven result (lighter one side, darker on the other side)
- Wait at least 15 days for the 2nd bleach session: Give your hair and scalp enough time to recover. In this gap period, use protein or hair oil.
- Use cold water for rinsing: After applying the mixture of developer and bleach/color. Rinse it with cold water, as it closes the cuticle, whereas hot water opens up the cuticle again and can strip the color.
When should you use and when not to use 40 volume developer?
You should avoid 40 volume developer. If:
- You have fine or damaged hair
- You are a teenager. Young hair is usually fragile.
- You just need to cover grays or lift up to 3 levels. For that, you use a lower volume developer, either 20 volume or 30 volume.
- You have recently used box dye: you must consult with your stylist or doctor.
You should use 40 volume developer. If:
- You have healthy & thick hair.
- You want to go from dark to platinum blonde.
- You are a professional stylist. You know how to use it correctly and what its pros and cons are.
- If you have very dark, resistant black or brown hair. You can use it.
FAQs about 40 volume developer
- Can I mix 40 volume developer with regular hair dye?
Yes. You can, but only if you want a higher lift, like going from dark hair to light blonde. If you just need to cover your grays or lift up to 3 levels, you should opt for 20 or 30 volume developer.
- Does 40 volume developer damage hair more than 30 or 20 volume?
Yes. It has 12% peroxide (higher than 20 volume (contains 6% peroxide) and 30 volume (contains 9% peroxide)). It opens the cuticles wider so the color penetrates inside. Use it if you want vibrant colors like red or platinum, and avoid using it at home if you are a beginner. If you have damaged hair or weak hair, then you should not use it. Use it when you have healthy, strong hair.
- How long do I leave 40 volume developer on my hair?
Not more than 45 minutes. Check it after 15 minutes, then every 5 to 10 minutes. Once you get the desired lift, rinse it immediately.
- What is 40 volume developer used for on natural black hair?
40 volume developer is designed to lift natural color to a higher level, like platinum or vibrant red. Sometimes you need 2 sessions to achieve vibrant color when you have black or dark brown hair.
- Can I use 40 volume developer without bleach to lighten my hair?
The developer can’t lighten the hair alone. The developer is designed to work with bleach or color. It can’t activate the lightening agent without bleach or hair dye. A lone developer can’t do anything except dry out your hair.
Conclusion:
Can I use 40 volume developer on my hair?
Honestly speaking, 40 volume developer is a very powerful tool. If you are a beginner, I recommend that you don’t use it at home.
If you want a huge change like going from black to white, visit a professional stylist.
Your hair is very precious. Keep it healthy and safe. If a change is needed, go to the salon and get it done there.