How to Lighten Hair at Home Using Only Developer: A 5-Step Guide

Bleaching your hair at home can be both exhilarating and challenging. Many people choose professional salons for their expertise, but with the right approach, you can achieve impressive results from the comfort of your own home using just a developer, also known as peroxide. This guide provides a detailed step-by-step process to help you bleach your hair safely and effectively with developer alone, ensuring you achieve the best results possible.

Developers play a crucial role in the bleaching process by opening the hair cuticles, which allows the lightening agent to penetrate and lighten the hair more effectively. While using developer on its own can lead to some degree of lightening, its effectiveness is influenced by the condition of your hair and the level of lightening you aim to achieve. Although developer alone may not produce as dramatic a change as a full bleach mixture, it can still lighten your hair to a noticeable extent while minimizing potential damage. Understanding these factors will help you make informed decisions and get the most out of your home bleaching experience.

What Are the Basics of Bleaching?

Bleaching lightens hair by breaking down its natural pigment with the help of a developer, which contains hydrogen peroxide. The effectiveness of this process depends on the strength of the developer, measured in volumes. These volumes range from 10 to 40, with each number indicating the degree of lightening. For instance, volume 10 is the weakest and is typically used for minimal lightening or depositing color, while volume 40 is the strongest, used for maximum lift and achieving very light blonde shades.

Choosing the appropriate developer volume is crucial based on your starting hair color and desired result. Volume 20 provides moderate lightening, suitable for subtle changes, while volume 30 offers more significant lift for noticeable color changes. Volume 40, being the most potent, is used for dramatic lightening but can be more damaging. Understanding these basics helps in selecting the right developer and achieving the best results with minimal damage.

Can you bleach hair with just developer?

Yes, you can bleach hair with just developer. Developer, which contains varying strengths of Hydrogen Peroxide, can lighten hair, similar to products like Sun-In. However, significant lightening requires a high-volume developer.

Related:

• Can You Still Dye Hair Without Developer?
• Do You Have To Mix Ion Color Brilliance With Developer?

How to bleach hair with just developer?

This process can easily be done with just one simple ingredient: Developer. If you want to bleach or just want to lighten your hair with a sore developer, follow the steps below for the best result.

Things you’ll need

• Developer
• Conditioner

Instructions

1. Step 1: Wet your hair in the shower and towel dry it so that it remains slightly damp.
2. Step 2: Using plastic gloves and a brush, start applying the developer to your hair strand by strand. Start from the middle and go down to the ends, then return to cover the hair near the roots.
3. Step 3: Simply cover your hair with a shower cap and wait somewhere between 10 and 30 minutes, while checking your hair’s color every 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Rinse your hair with warm water.
5. Step 5: Condition your hair for afterward.

Understanding Developer and Its Uses

Before diving into the bleaching process, it’s crucial to understand what a developer is and how it works. Developer, also known as peroxide, is a creamy liquid containing hydrogen peroxide. It comes in various strengths, typically measured in volumes: 10, 20, 30, and 40. The higher the volume, the stronger the lightening effect. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 10 Volume Developer: Deposits color or provides minimal lift (1-2 levels).
• 20 Volume Developer: Lightens hair by 2-3 levels and is commonly used for grey coverage.
• 30 Volume Developer: Lifts hair 3-4 levels, suitable for dark hair.
• 40 Volume Developer: Provides the highest lift (up to 5 levels) but can be very damaging.

Using developer alone can lighten hair, but it’s less intense than combining it with bleach powder. For those looking to gently lift their hair color or achieve a slightly lighter shade, developer alone can be an effective method.

Gathering Your Supplies

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary supplies on hand. This includes:

• Developer: Choose the appropriate volume based on your hair’s current color and desired level of lightness.
• Mixing Bowl and Brush: Use these to mix the developer and bleach powder together.
• Bleach Powder: Look for a high-quality bleach powder designed for at-home use.
• Gloves: Protect your hands from the harsh chemicals in the bleach.
• Sectioning Clips: These will help you divide your hair into manageable sections for even application.
• Old T-Shirt or Cape: Wear something you don’t mind getting bleach on, or use a cape to protect your clothing.

Preparing Your Hair

Before applying the bleach, it’s essential to prepare your hair properly. Start by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup. Avoid conditioning your hair, as the natural oils will help protect your scalp during the bleaching process. Once your hair is clean and dry, divide it into sections using the sectioning clips.

What is the ratio for hair bleach and developer?

When mixing hair bleach and developer, the typical ratio is 1:2. This means you use one part bleach powder to two parts developer. Here’s a detailed explanation:

Understanding the Bleach and Developer Ratio

Why the 1:2 Ratio?

• Consistency: A 1:2 ratio creates a smooth, creamy mixture that is easy to apply and ensures even coverage on the hair. It is neither too thick (which can cause patchy application) nor too runny (which can drip and cause uneven lightening).
• Effective Lightening: This ratio provides a balance that allows the bleach to lift the hair color effectively without being overly harsh, which helps to minimize damage.

Adjusting the Ratio

While the 1:2 ratio is standard, there are instances where you might adjust it slightly:

• 1:1.5 Ratio: For a thicker mixture that adheres better to the hair, you can use one part bleach to 1.5 parts developer. This is useful for applying bleach to smaller sections or for touch-ups.
• 1:2.5 Ratio: For a thinner mixture that spreads more easily, you can use one part bleach to 2.5 parts developer. This might be useful for full-head applications where you need the mixture to cover a larger area more quickly.

How to Measure and Mix

Supplies Needed

• Bleach Powder: Choose a high-quality bleach powder suitable for your hair type.
• Developer: Select the appropriate volume (20, 30, or 40) based on your desired level of lift and hair condition.
• Non-metallic Mixing Bowl: Metal can react with the bleach and developer, altering the effectiveness.
• Measuring Tools: Use a kitchen scale or measuring spoons for accuracy.
• Tint Brush: For mixing and application.

Mixing Instructions

1. Measure the Bleach Powder: Use the scale or measuring spoon to measure the required amount of bleach powder. For example, if you need 30 grams of bleach powder, measure it accurately.
2. Measure the Developer: Calculate double the amount of developer compared to the bleach powder. If you have 30 grams of bleach powder, you will need 60 grams (or milliliters) of developer.
3. Combine and Mix: Pour the bleach powder into the non-metallic bowl, then add the developer. Use the tint brush to mix thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, consistent paste.

Example Mixtures

• Short Hair/Touch-up: 20 grams bleach powder + 40 grams developer.
• Medium Length Hair: 30 grams bleach powder + 60 grams developer.
• Long Hair: 50 grams bleach powder + 100 grams developer.

Important Tips

• Patch Test: Always perform a patch test to check for allergic reactions or sensitivity.
• Strand Test: Conduct a strand test to determine how your hair will react and achieve the desired lift without excessive damage.
• Timing: Follow the recommended processing time for the bleach, usually between 20-45 minutes. Monitor your hair closely to avoid over-processing.
• Aftercare: Use deep conditioning treatments and avoid heat styling immediately after bleaching to maintain hair health.

By following the 1:2 ratio and adjusting as necessary, you can achieve effective and even lightening results while minimizing potential damage to your hair.

See also: How to Dilute Developer?

Frequently asked questions

Can 20 volume developer lighten hair by itself?

Yes, you can.

Developer by itself has a slight lightening effect on your hair.

If you use a 20 volume developer, you will lighten your hair up to one shade. But, if you want to lighten it two or more shades, you’d need to mix it with bleach powder.

Read more: 20 and 30 Volume Developer To Lighten Hair – Which one for you?

What happens if you put developer on your hair?

If you apply developer directly to your hair, it will have minimal effect on lightening and may not cause significant damage on its own. Developer needs a coloring agent, like dye or bleach, to activate its lightening properties effectively.

See also: What Happens If You Put Too Much Developer In Hair Dye?

Can I mix developer with shampoo?

Yes, you can mix developer with shampoo. This mixture can be more effective than using developer alone and is less damaging than combining developer with bleach. mix shampoo and developer.can effectively remove permanent hair dye or safely lighten hair by about a tone.

Conclusion

Even if the developer is considered as an alternative for hair lighting, yet the result might not as effective as the mixture of it and hair bleach. Yet if you want to lighten your hair safely, using just developer is enough to serve you with that.