How Hair Color Works: How Hair Dyes, Toners & Developers Actually Work

When it comes to changing your hair color, there’s so much more than just picking a shade. Learning how hair dye works can help you make the most of your color and keep hair looking awesome, without winding up with fried-out tresses.  From semi-permanent hair color to black hair dye, toners, and developers, learning how this toning process works allows you to choose more wisely what purpose your next hair transformation will serve.

For styling ideas or layering techniques like layer shaggy hairstyle and long hair shag haircut, contact us!

Hair Structure and Color Basics

Hair is composed of keratin, a fibrous protein responsible for strength and structure, with pigments known as melanin supplying natural coloring. When you use hairdressing color, the dye works with the cuticle and cortex of our hair:

  • Cuticle: 
    The outermost layer that protects hair; it must move slightly out of place for color to get in.

  • Cortex: 
    The central part that contains pigment, where permanent change happens.

Your natural brunette hair color, or any other base, will impact how shades appear and how long they last.

Types of Hair Dye

Semi-Permanent Hair Color

  • Dyes the hair without lifting natural pigment.

  • Several washes, perfect for making subtle tones or brightening natural color.

  • Bare minimum damage, ideal for trying out colors or highlights.

Permanent Hair Color

  • Dependent on a developer (typically peroxide) to remove natural pigment and deposit new color.

  • It can make a big difference, which may be about going lighter or covering gray.

  • Requires aftercare to maintain shine and prevent fading.

Darker Hair Dye and Other Bold Colors

  • Darker shades, such as the black hair dye, cover strands all over and hide underlying tones.

  • Rich tones call for some deep conditioning after colour to keep dryness out and add vitality.

For more inspiration, check out our guides to French hairstyles male or French hair! 

How Toners Work

Toners neutralize unsightly tones (think brassiness) following bleaching or coloring. They are generally used after lightning and provide toning effects from a little to moderate. For example:

  • Yellow tones are cancelled by a violet toner.

  • The blue toner is an orange or warm tone neutralizer.

Toners are crucial, especially if you have highlights or balayage, when going from light tones to darker ones.

Role of Developers

Developers, typically made of peroxide, activate the hair dye. The volume determines:

  • Low volume: Adds very little lift and is used for darker shades or for gray coverage.

  • High Volume: The big booster for light results or blonde processing.

The developer lifts the cuticle and penetrates the cortex while he new color is locked inside. 

Tips for Healthy Coloring

  • Care for hair:
    Repair damaged hair in time to keep the cuticle healthy.

  • Match the shade to the skin tone:
    Take advice from experts on what hair color suits your skin tone.

  • Aftercare:
    Shampoo and condition with color-safe products, and deep-condition after chemical services.

The Bottom Line

From semi permanent hair color, to black hair dye, the science of hair coloring empowers you to take control and get professional-looking results. Knowing how dyes, toners, and developers work, with proper care, you can change it up without sacrificing healthy, glossy locks. Get the personal attention and expertise you need to achieve your hair color goals at Spoleti Salon in Austin, TX.

How does hair coloring work?

Dye molecules pass through the cuticle and are deposited in the cortex of the hair. Permanent products also lift natural color for a permanent color change.

What hair color works best for my skin tone?

Warm shades flatter olive or tan skin; cool ones brighten fair complexions. A stylist can match shades.

Does hair color remover work?

Yes, but results vary. There can be a line of pigment left by some dyes, and removers may dry out the skin. Follow with conditioning treatments.

How does permanent hair color work?

Permanent dyes use a developer to lift natural pigment and deposit new color into the cortex for long-lasting results.

Umair Nazaqat