Developers are primarily composed of hydrogen peroxide, serving to lift the hair's cuticle layer. Despite variations in additives among different brands, their core purpose remains consistent: lightening the natural pigment of the hair.
Developer Strengths and Applications
Low-Strength Developers (5 and 10 Volume)
These developers, such as 5 volume, are increasingly popular, especially when used with semi and demi-permanent color lines due to their minimal impact on the hair cuticle. They are ideal for gentle color deposition but lack significant grey coverage or lift.
Expert Insight: When combined with bleach, low-strength developers offer a subtle color shift, making them suitable for delicate baby hairs.
Moderate-Strength Developers (20 and 30 Volume)
Frequently utilized in salons, these developers offer moderate levels of lift, making them suitable for permanent hair color and grey coverage.
Expert Insight: When applied with bleach, moderate-strength developers work swiftly, but caution is needed to avoid over-processing, especially with 30 volume developers.
High-Strength Developers (40 Volume)
Primarily reserved for permanent and high-lift color applications, these developers offer significant lift but are not recommended for use with bleach due to their potency.
Does the Choice of Developer Matter?
While all developers contain hydrogen peroxide as the primary active ingredient, using a developer specifically formulated for a particular color line ensures optimal results in terms of lift, tonality, longevity, and consistency. For instance, at Eva Professional, our lighter-textured liquid/cream developer complements our gel-cream hybrid color, ensuring gentle color penetration into the hair cortex.
Additionally, precise measurement of the required developer amount is essential for effective coverage and color longevity. Just as a baker meticulously measures ingredients for a perfect cake, accurate measurement ensures consistent and satisfactory results in hair coloring.