As a beautician, I often hear people asking why their hair turns gray after using the Wella T18 toner. Well, the answer lies in the chemistry of hair and toner.
First, let’s understand what a toner is. A toner neutralizes unwanted tones in the hair, such as brassiness or yellowing. Toning can be done with the help of dyes, pigments, or even natural ingredients like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
Coming to Wella T18 is a popular toner for eliminating brassy tones in bleached or blonde hair. It is a purple-toned toner meant to be used on hair pre-lightened to a pale yellow shade. The toner neutralizes the yellow tones and gives the hair a cooler, ashy shade.
However, if the toner is left on the hair for too long, it can turn gray or purple. This happens because the toner contains blue and violet pigments that can over-deposit on the hair, leading to a grayish tone.
It’s important to note that this only happens if the toner is left on the hair for an extended period or if it is porous and absorbs the toner quickly. Porosity refers to the ability of the hair to absorb moisture and products.
Porous hair can also result from over-processing or damage from heat styling or chemical treatments.
To avoid gray hair, it’s crucial to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Wella recommends leaving the toner on for 30 minutes, depending on the desired result. If the hair turns gray or purple, rinse it immediately with warm water.
Another way to avoid gray hair is to use a lower-volume developer when mixing the toner. A lower-volume developer will deposit less pigment on the hair, reducing the chances of over-depositing and resulting in a grayish tone.
It’s also essential to prepare the hair before toning by deep conditioning it and ensuring it is well-moisturized. Moisturized hair is less porous and will absorb the toner slowly, reducing the chances of over-depositing.
In conclusion, Wella T18 toner can turn your hair gray if left on for too long or if the hair is porous. To avoid gray hair, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer, use a lower volume developer, and prepare the hair by deep conditioning and moisturizing it. As a beautician, I always recommend seeking professional advice before attempting any hair color or toning process, as each person’s hair is unique and requires individualized care.
