How Much Peroxide do I Mix with Hair Colour
Step 1:
The first step in your hair colouring journey is choosing the right colour and determining the appropriate peroxide volume. Hair colour and peroxide are mixed in various ratios, ranging from 1:1 to higher values, with the higher peroxide concentrations resulting in lighter hair shades.
When it comes to permanence, the volume of peroxide to hair colour can be categorized as follows:
- Temporary colours may require little or no peroxide.
- For permanent colours, the typical ratio is 1:2 or a peroxide volume of 20 to 30.
The choice of peroxide volume based on the lightening or darkening of your hair:
- To maintain your current hair colour with minimal lightening, opt for a 3% or 10-volume peroxide. Note that this is only effective when transitioning to a darker hair shade.
- To lighten by 1-2 tones or cover grey/white hair, combine hair colour with a 20-volume or 6% peroxide. This is the most used peroxide concentration for temporary and permanent hair dyes.
- Lightening by three tones requires a mixture of hair colour and a 30-volume or 9% peroxide.
Note that depending on the hair colour or quantity of bleaching powder, this can also be used for light bleaching.
- The most extreme option is a 40-volume or 12% peroxide, which can lighten hair by up to 8 tones. It completely removes colour from a darker shade, leaving the hair almost white.
However, exercising extreme caution with peroxide levels above 30 (9%) is crucial, and supervision is strongly recommended. The quantity may vary based on hair length, and using a higher volume developer without care can lead to excessive lightening and hair damage.
It should be noted that extreme caution should be taken as this peroxide level is risky without professional supervision. It is strongly advised that you do not use a peroxide with a volume higher than 30 (9%) at home. The quantity may vary based on hair length, and using a higher volume developer without care can lead to excessive lightening and hair damage.
STEP 2:
After determining the level of lightening you want your hair to undergo, you can then go ahead and mix in a non-metal bowl (preferably glass or plastic).
STEP 3:
divide your hair into sections, and apply evenly from roots to tips section by section until your intended area has been covered. Massage lightly into hair and wait for a few to 30 minutes or as the pack specifies.
To touch roots in previously coloured hair, apply the mixture evenly to the roots, section by section, and wait 20 minutes. Then, massage the mixture into the hair lengths and wait another 10 minutes.
If you are colouring natural hair, apply the mixture evenly to dry, unwashed hair (roots, ends, lengths) using a brush. Wait for 30 minutes.
Wash your hair with lukewarm water using a shampoo to ensure all the dye has completely disappeared.
Apply a toner if your hair ends up with an orange tint. Your hair can become orange if it is naturally dark and you try to lighten it too much. Work the toner through the hair from root to tip with your fingers. Allow the toner to set on the hair for 10 minutes before rinsing.
In conclusion, remember that the choice of peroxide volume and mixing ratios are crucial, and modifying any one of the volumes may affect the overall health of your hair. Enjoy your new hair colour adventure!
