What is the recommended volume of developer for a standard hair color application?

The recommended volume of developer for a standard hair color application is 20 volume. This developer strength is commonly used because it contains a sufficient amount of hydrogen peroxide to provide the necessary lift for most color applications while also enabling the color to fully process and develop.

20 volume developer is particularly effective for covering gray hair and for achieving one to two levels of lift, which is ideal for most color services. It is gentle enough for use on all hair types and allows for a balanced chemistry that works well with semi-permanent and permanent color formulations.

In contrast, lower volumes like 10 volume are typically used for deposit-only applications, such as when simply enhancing or darkening existing color without any lifting. Higher volumes, such as 30 or 40, are more aggressive and are often used for techniques that require significant lift or for high-lift color applications. These higher volumes can also lead to increased damage, making them less suitable for standard applications where maintaining hair health is a priority.

Thus, 20 volume developer strikes the right balance between color enhancement and hair integrity, making it the recommended choice for standard hair coloring practices.