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How to Bleach Hair With 20 Vol Developer | Expert Tips (2024)

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Are you looking for the perfect shade of blonde? It’s all about timing, and if you don’t get it just right, you could end up with damaged hair. Bleaching your hair can be tricky, but luckily we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll answer the age-old question: how long should I leave bleach in my hair (20 vol)? We’ve got expert tips on processing times and factors to consider when bleaching, plus advice on achieving an even result from roots to ends.

Key Takeaways

how long to leave bleach in hair 20 vol

  • Timing is crucial when using 20-volume developer for bleaching hair.
  • Leaving the bleach on too briefly can result in patchy results, while leaving it on for too long can cause damage.
  • Spot testing before bleaching helps determine the lift from 20-volume developer.
  • Follow recommended processing times based on hair type for optimal results.

How Long to Leave Bleach in Hair?

How Long to Leave Bleach in Hair?
You need to be careful with timing when using 20 volume developer, as leaving it on too briefly can lead to patchy results, while leaving it on for too long could cause serious damage. To ensure the best results and prevent damage, start by making sure your hair is healthy and unwashed.

Doing a spot test before bleaching will help you determine how much lift you’ll get from the 20 volume developer. Deep condition your hair prior to bleaching in order to protect strands from further drying out or breakage due to processing time.

Make sure that you are using good quality bleach mixed with the right amount of developer; usually 1 part bleach: 2 parts of 10-20 vol Developer for lightening up one shade at a time or a 1:3 ratio if going two shades lighter than the natural color tone.

For blonde hair that needs only one level of lift, 10 minutes should do the trick, but if more levels are needed, then 15-20 minutes would suffice. For medium brown/darker brunette tones, 15-30 minutes should give the desired result.

Bleaching safely at home is possible with 20 volume developers; just make sure not to leave it longer than 30 minutes max and follow instructions properly!

Recommended Processing Times for 20 Volume Developer
Understanding the recommended processing times for 20 volume developer is key to achieving the desired lift without damaging your hair. Start by spot testing on a strand of hair, deep conditioning pre-bleach, and making sure you are using good quality bleach mixed with the right amount of developer.

For blonde hair that needs only one level of lift, 10 minutes should do it. However, if more levels are needed, then 15-20 minutes would suffice.

For fine strands, 10-15 minute bleaching sessions will be enough, whereas coarser hairs may need up to 30-minute processes in order for them to achieve 1-2 levels of lift with 20 vol Developer. If 3-4 lifting levels are what you’re looking for, then higher volumes like 30 & 40 volume developers may be needed instead.

But it’s important not to use these products unless professionally advised, as this could cause serious breakage and even baldness due to their high peroxide content, which can reach 9% (30vol) and 12% (40vol).

Lastly, bear in mind that healthy locks are best when doing any kind of chemical treatments, so don’t attempt bleaching if your mane has been recently treated or damaged already! Bleaching safely at home can easily become a reality.

Factors to Consider When Timing Bleaching

Factors to Consider When Timing Bleaching
When bleaching, it’s essential to consider your hair type and color before setting a timer so you can achieve the desired lift without any damage. From blonde hair that may require 10 minutes of processing with 20 volume developer or brunette tones that need up to 30 minutes, timing is crucial for a successful result.

For finer hairs, 10-15 minute sessions will suffice but coarser ones may take longer at 15-30 minutes – check every 5 min after this initial time frame as overprocessing can cause permanent damage such as burning scalp or bald patches!

Before starting the process, make sure you wear old clothes and do a spot test on a section of strand in order to understand how much lift would be achieved from the bleach mixture mixed with 20 vol Developer.

When ready, start checking on strands near the ten-minute mark since higher volumes like 30 & 40, which contain 9% (30vol) and 12% (40vol) peroxide respectively, should only be used when professionally advised.

Otherwise, serious breakage, even baldness, could occur due to a lack of experience using these products.

At the end, remember to promptly remove bleach once the intended level has been reached, making sure to follow proper instructions while taking into account all factors mentioned here today.

How to Mix Bleach With 20 Volume Developer

How to Mix Bleach With 20 Volume Developer
Mixing bleach with 20 volume developer is key to achieving the desired lift without damage, so it’s important to get the ratio right! Before beginning, do a spot test on a section of strand in order to understand how much lift would be achieved from your chosen mixture.

The recommended bleach-to-developer ratio for 20 vol Developer is 1 part bleach and 2 parts developer. However, this can change depending on the type of hair you have. For fine hairs, use slightly less than one part, while coarser ones may need more.

When ready, mix together a small amount of peroxide with brilliant blondexx bleaching powder until reaching an even consistency before applying carefully onto strands. While doing so, make sure protective bonds are in place by adding bond protectors into your mixtures if needed.

These will help reduce potential risks caused by chemical treatments, including breakage or color fading when attempting higher levels of lifting (over two).

Finally, don’t forget about harsher options like 30 & 40vol Developers, which contain 9% (30vol) and 12% (40vol) respectively. Professional advice should always be sought after when using these products due to their high strength.

How to Apply Bleach on the Hair

How to Apply Bleach on the Hair
Now that you have the perfect mixture of bleach and developer, it’s time to apply it to your hair. Before beginning, make sure to do a spot test on a small section in order to achieve desired results without over-processing or damaging any strands.

It is also important to deep condition before bleaching and wear old clothes just in case any product gets onto them during this process.

Once prepped and ready, start at the back of your head. Apply from root towards tip with an applicator brush for even saturation throughout each strand. After application has been completed on all sections, wait 10-20 minutes if wanting 1-2 levels of lift (for blondes) or 10-30 minutes for darker shades (10 mins fine hairs/15 medium/20 dark).

As processing times vary depending upon colors being used, start checking at the ten-minute mark! Coconut oil can be applied after reaching the desired level if wishing to add shine and nourishment post-treatment.

Otherwise, rinse off thoroughly until water runs clear, then shampoo and condition using sulfate-free products afterwards.

When toning hair after bleaching, use VorIntense Silver Blonde mixed with equal parts purple shampoo. Alternatively, try out VorSilver Blonde Toner. Both will help remove unwanted yellow hues while neutralizing brassiness, making the final look appear more natural than ever before! For those desiring even greater lifts, opt for Brilliant Blondexx Lightener instead when mixing developer.

However, avoid 30 or 40 vol options unless working alongside a professional due to their higher strength peroxide content (9% and 12%).

In summary, take necessary precautions prior to starting, such as spot tests always done beforehand. Followed by coconut oil treatments, which help smooth locks while adding vibrancy post-washout phase respectively.

Lastly, never forget about high lift alternatives available like Brilliant Blondexx Lightener, which provide fantastic results yet require additional safety measures taken into account when deciding between different developing concentrations.

How to Achieve an Even Result From Roots to Ends

How to Achieve an Even Result From Roots to Ends
For even results from roots to ends, be sure to apply the bleach mixture quickly and evenly throughout your hair; time is of the essence! To achieve this goal, consider these helpful tips:

  1. Follow timing guidelines based on hair type and color – 10-20 minutes for blonde locks, 10-15 minutes for fine strands, 15-20 minutes for medium tresses, and 15-30 minutes for dark or coarse manes.
  2. Start checking at regular intervals once you reach the ten-minute mark; don’t leave it longer than 30 mins with 20 volume developer as damage can occur beyond that point in time!
  3. Consider a milder option if planning near scalp bleaching or light color correction – 20 volume developer contains 6% peroxide, which is less harsh than higher volumizers (9%/12%).

When applying bleach mixtures, always make sure plate-like cuticle cells are thoroughly covered but not overly saturated with the product as this could result in unhealthy-looking locks afterward – no one wants dry brittle strands after all!

With proper care taken into account before beginning the bleaching process itself, such as spot tests done beforehand alongside deep conditioning treatments and wearing old clothes too just in case some slips onto them during the application phase, then you’ll have perfect manageable results without any major issues arising later down the line either due to overprocessing taking place within those crucial moments where judgment needs to remain clear-headed, not allowing emotions to get the better of us haha!! Better safe than sorry, right?? So never forget important facts when considering lighter shades, especially when opting out towards higher lift alternatives available like Brilliant Blondexx Lightener instead of the normal run standard developing concentrations offered through the market today since there are extra safety measures that need to be taken into consideration lol.

All said and done, though, regardless of whichever decision is made, the endgame here remains the same, I’m afraid, so choose wisely, my friends, because the consequences lasting much longer are far greater, let’s say 😉

How to Tone the Hair After Bleaching

How to Tone the Hair After Bleaching
Once bleaching is complete, it’s time to tone your hair for a finished look. To ensure you get the best results without over-processing or damaging your locks, consider these tips and techniques:

  • Toners are an essential part of the bleaching process as they help remove any unwanted yellow or orange tones left behind from the lift.
  • For maximum control over how much lift will occur in each strand of hair when using developer ratios higher than 1:2 (20 volume), use low volumes like 10% alongside 20%. This helps decrease damage while still achieving lighter shades on dark regrowth areas.
  • Timing techniques are key here as well – start checking at regular intervals once you reach the ten-minute mark; don’t leave it longer than 30 mins since this can cause irreversible damage! If needed, go back and reapply more bleach mixture after assessing progress at this point before continuing to process until the desired level has been achieved, then promptly wash out afterwards.
  • Lastly, remember healthy tresses work best, so if yours needs some extra TLC before beginning, then give yourself enough time by deep conditioning treatments beforehand to avoid unnecessary breakage during the application phase itself, which could lead to an unappealing end result being produced overall instead anyway unfortunately.

How to Do a Bleach Wash

How to Do a Bleach Wash
A bleach wash is an effective way to lighten your hair without the need for developer, and it can be done in as little as 10 minutes. For example, a client with dark brown hair wanted to achieve a sandy blonde shade.

After only 15 minutes of bleaching their locks, they were able to get the desired result! Bleach washing is great for minimizing damage while still achieving lighter shades on dark regrowth areas.

During application, it’s important to maintain moisture by using special masks or conditioners and protect your scalp from irritation with protective balms.

To ensure a safe application when doing this at home, make sure to preserve color against overly aggressive lifting by checking up on your hair’s progress throughout the process. Start at the 10-minute mark rather than 30 minutes later, which could lead to what we call “ugly duckling bleaches”.

This less-damaging DIY bleach session works well for all varieties of different scenarios, like fine or coarse hair, blondes or brunettes.

Before beginning any type of bleaching session, it’s always best practice to prepare properly. Wear old clothing articles just in case there are some spills here and there. Deep conditioning treatments beforehand will help minimize breakage.

Spot testing before committing fully should give us a good indication of how much lift each strand can take! Finally, keep in mind that 20 volume developer may not provide enough lift required, so do research beforehand depending on the range of different hair colors presented.

Timing Recommendations for Different Volume Developers

Timing Recommendations for Different Volume Developers
Knowing your hair type and color is essential for determining the optimal processing time when using 20, 30, or 40 volume developers to achieve desired results. Whether you’re bleaching at home or in a salon, it’s important to understand the safety precautions associated with each developer level and how they can affect your final outcome.

For instance, darker hair may take longer than lighter shades to lift, even if using a milder developer like 20 volume – up to 30 minutes! On the other hand, 10-20 minutes may be enough for blonde hair when working with this solution.

The following table provides an overview of recommended processing times based on different types of hair:

Hair Type Developer Strength Processing Time
Blonde 20 Volume 10-20 Minutes
Fine 20 Volume 10-15 Minutes
Medium 20 Volume 15-30 Minutes
Dark 20 Volume 15-30 Minutes
Coarse 20 Volume 15-30 Minutes

It’s also important to remember that finer strands will require less time, as coarser ones need more. A spot test should be done before committing fully, which allows you to see how much lift each strand can take while preserving color against overly aggressive lifting.

Additionally, use fresh mix every time instead of reusing old solutions so that all sections are evenly treated within allotted timespans.

In order to ensure safe application during any DIY bleach session, make sure your scalp is protected from irritation by applying protective balms prior and maintain moisture levels throughout the process by regularly using special masks or conditioners.

Lastly, prepare by wearing old clothing articles just in case there are some spills here and there! By following these tips along with understanding basics such as proper developer choice for different levels of lifts, you’ll have no problem achieving those beautiful highlights safely without causing too much damage.

Choosing the Right Bleach for Your Desired Result

Choosing the Right Bleach for Your Desired Result
Choosing the right bleach for your desired result is like a science experiment – you must have all the correct ingredients and follow precise directions to get an amazing outcome!

When it comes to bleaching hair, there are several developer levels available, with 20 volume being the most popular choice for at-home bleaching. With its 6% peroxide content, this milder option can achieve 1-2 levels of lift in as little as 10 minutes when applied on blonde hair.

On darker shades, however, 15-30 minutes may be necessary to reach up to 2 levels of lift without causing too much damage or breakage.

It’s also important that fine strands require less time than coarser ones during this process – not enough could lead to uneven results while overprocessing will cause permanent harm such as thinning and baldness spots.

To make sure you use only what’s best for your mane type and color lifting needs, start off by doing a spot test prior so you know how long each strand should stay under bleach power before getting removed promptly once achieved desired effect – checking around every 10-minute mark helps avoid any possible mishaps here!

For 3-4 level lifts, more aggressive developers such as 30 or 40 volume (containing 9% & 12% peroxide respectively) may be needed, but these solutions should always be handled by professionals since they increase chances of severe scalp irritation if misused even slightly.

Plus, deep conditioning beforehand is key no matter which strength ends up chosen in order to ensure healthy post-processing outcomes afterwards regardless.

Overall, knowing exactly how strong developer one needs along with some basic safety precautions makes it easy breezy peasy lemon squeezy from now on whenever wanting some extra oomph via color-lifting action either at home or salon setting alike – resulting in those beautiful highlights everyone yearns for minus potential damages associated with overly harsh treatments otherwise!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if I need 20, 30, or 40 volume developer?

To determine if you need 20, 30, or 40 volume developer for your hair color goals, consider the amount of lift desired and your hair type.

Is it better to bleach in one session or multiple sessions?

Bleaching in one session may be more effective, but multiple sessions can minimize potential damage. Choose the option that best suits your hair color and texture for optimal results. Be sure to follow processing times based on the type and shade of hair, starting at 10 minutes and checking every few minutes thereafter to avoid overprocessing.

What are the best safety precautions to take when bleaching hair?

Take precautions when bleaching hair to prevent damage: wear old clothes, deep condition hair beforehand, and spot test. Start checking at 10 minutes for blonde hair and 15-30 minutes for darker tones.

Never leave bleach in longer than 30 minutes with 20 vol developer or use a higher volume without a professional.

What can I do to protect my hair from damage when bleaching?

Take the necessary precautions to protect your hair when bleaching. Wear old clothes and deep condition your hair before starting. Do a spot test first, then check your hair regularly during the processing time for the desired lift; promptly remove the bleach once achieved.

Follow the recommended times based on the type and color of your hair: 10-20 minutes for blonde, 10-15 minutes for fine hair, and 15-30 minutes for dark or coarse hair.

How often should I bleach my hair?

It’s best to bleach your hair no more than every 6-8 weeks. Doing so will help keep it healthy and maintain the desired shade of blonde.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bleaching hair is a time-sensitive process that requires careful attention. When done correctly with the right developer, you can achieve beautiful results with minimal damage. 20 volume developer is a safe option for at-home bleaching, and with the right timing and application, you can achieve a bright, even blonde.

For darker hair, you may need to use a higher-volume developer. Imagine your ideal result and follow the guidelines for timing and mixing to help you achieve the perfect shade of blonde. With a little practice and patience, you can be sure to get the perfect bleached blonde locks.

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Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim is a published author and software engineer and beard care expert from the US. To date, he has helped thousands of men make their beards look better and get fatter. His work has been mentioned in countless notable publications on men's care and style and has been cited in Seeker, Wikihow, GQ, TED, and Buzzfeed.