What happens when you put too much developer?
Ethan Hayes
Updated on June 14, 2026
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Considering this, what happens if you use too much developer?
If you put in too much developer, you will be lightening the hair but not depositing enough hair dye and the color won't last. For high lift colors, the correct mix is 1 part hair dye to 2 parts developer. For toners, the correct mix is also 1 part toner to 2 parts developer.
Secondly, what happens if you leave developer in your hair? Using a volume developer that is too high for the hair color may result in unnecessary lightening and resulting damage. You leave the 30 volume developer in the hair longer than 30 minutes which renders the color inactive. The 30 volume developer is not used directly on the scalp since it would be irritating.
Thereof, does adding more developer make hair lighter?
Twenty volume developer will shift your hair one to two shades, while 30 volume developer will let you alter your hair 3 to 4 shades. This means that no matter what the color is on the box, you'll only be able to make your hair one or two shades lighter (or darker) than its natural color.
How do I know how much developer to use?
Mixing & Timing
- The mixing ratio is 1:2. 1 part color with 2 parts developer (1 oz. of hair color combined with 2 oz. of developer, for a total forumula mixture of 3 oz.).
- Pour 2 oz. of developer into a tint bowl or an applicator bottle.
- Add 1 oz. color.
- Gently shake/mix and apply color.