Does Toner Damage Hair? Everything You Need to Know

A typical question from clients is whether toner is harmful to their hair. Touch and Glow Beauty Clinic Ltd has prepared this helpful guide to teach salon professionals everything they need to know about hair toner. Join us as we explore the facts, misconceptions, and practicalities of toning treatments.

What is a Hair Toner?

As a salon expert, toner will be an important element of your daily product arsenal; nevertheless, let us first define hair toner. Toner is essentially a type of semi-permanent hair colour used to neutralise or enhance certain tones in your client’s hair. Whether they are aiming to colour correct, banish brassiness, add some cool undertones, or intensify their colour, a toner can swoop in to save the day.

Think of a hair toner as the secret sauce for achieving that perfect shade after colouring. It’s like the finishing touch of magic that transforms your client’s hair from excellent to beautiful! Plus, it’s typically gentler than permanent hair dye, making it a popular choice for maintaining colour vibrancy without causing too much damage.

The Science Behind Hair Toning

Understanding the science behind hair toning is crucial for achieving desired results and maintaining the health of your client’s hair. Here’s an overview of the scientific principles involved in toning:

• Hair Porosity: Bleaching or lightening treatments can increase hair porosity by opening up the hair cuticle to remove natural pigments. Toning takes advantage of this increased porosity to deposit pigments into the hair shaft, where they can help neutralise or counteract unwanted tones.
• PH Balance: Bleaching treatments often raise the pH of the hair, making it more alkaline. Toning products are designed to restore the pH balance of the hair, allowing the cuticle to shut and retain moisture. This results in smoother, shinier hair with better manageability.
• colour Theory: Understanding colour theory is essential for effective toning. Opposing colours on the colour wheel neutralise each other when combined. For example, purple toners are used to counteract yellow or brassy tones in blonde hair because purple is the opposite of yellow on the colour wheel. Similarly, blue toners can neutralise orange tones in brunette hair.
• Chemical Reactions: Toning products contain pigments and sometimes developers or activators that work together to create chemical reactions on the hair shaft. These reactions vary based on the toner used and the condition of the hair. Demi-permanent toners penetrate the hair shaft and deposit pigments without lifting or lightening the natural colour, while semi-permanent toners sit on the surface of the hair and gradually fade over time.
• Hair Condition: The condition of the hair before toning is crucial for achieving optimal results. Toning treatments will be more effective and predictable on healthy, well-maintained hair. It’s essential to assess the hair’s health and integrity before applying toner to prevent over-processing or damage.

Does Toner Damage Your Client’s Hair?

Toner’s ability to harm your client’s hair is mostly determined by a number of factors, including the hair’s state, the type of toner used, and the application procedure. Toners rarely cause damage when used appropriately and on healthy hair. However, there are several things to keep in mind:

• Hair Health: Toning can exacerbate damage caused by previous chemical treatments or excessive heat styling. Before applying toner, examine the condition of your hair at hair salon Edgware and use conditioning treatments to restore moisture and strengthen it as needed.
• Overprocessing: Overlapping the toner application or leaving it on for too long might cause overprocessing, resulting in dryness, breakage, or textural changes. To avoid overprocessing, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and monitor the toner’s development time.
• Product Formulation: Some toners contain harsh chemicals or high levels of ammonia or peroxide, which can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause damage if used incorrectly or excessively. Opting for gentler, ammonia-free toners or semi-permanent formulations can minimise the risk of damage, especially on delicate or previously treated hair.

Tips for Using Toners Safely

Using toners safely is essential for achieving beautiful results while minimising the risk of damage to your client’s hair.

Step 1: Assess Hair Health

Before applying toner, assess the condition of your client’s hair at your salon in Edgware. Avoid toning hair that is excessively damaged, brittle, or overly porous, as this can increase the risk of further damage. If your hair is in poor condition, you should focus on improving it before beginning toning treatments. If your client desires a complete makeover, you can also recommend our top-notch nail shop Edgware for a comprehensive beauty experience.

Step 2: Select the Right Toner

Select a toner composition appropriate for your client’s hair type, condition, and desired results. Opt for gentle, ammonia-free toners or semi-permanent formulations, especially for delicate or previously treated hair. When choosing a toner shade, keep your desired tone and level of lift in mind.

Step 3: Perform Strand Test

Always do a strand test before applying toner to the entire head. This helps you assess how the toner will react with your client’s hair and ensures that you achieve the desired colour result without causing damage or unwanted undertones.

Step 4: Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions

Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when mixing and applying toner. Pay close attention to prescribed development periods, mixing ratios, and application techniques to produce the best results while reducing the risk of overprocessing and damage.

Step 5: Protect the Scalp and Skin

Apply a barrier cream or petroleum jelly along the hairline and on the scalp to protect the skin from potential irritation or staining during the toning process. Use gloves to protect your hands from staining and irritation as well.

Step 6: Avoid Overlapping

Avoid overlapping toner application onto previously toned or coloured hair, as this can lead to uneven colour results and overprocessing. Apply toner carefully and precisely to avoid unnecessary damage and maintain the integrity of the hair.

Step 7: Monitor Processing Time

Monitor the toner’s processing time closely and check the hair regularly to ensure that you achieve the desired colour result without overprocessing. To avoid further processing and any damage, immediately rinse the toner after achieving the desired tone.

Step 8: Post-Treatment Care

After toning, rinse the hair thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any residual product. Follow up with a nourishing conditioner or treatment to replenish moisture and condition the hair. Advise your client on proper at-home haircare to maintain the toner’s vibrancy and keep their hair healthy between salon visits.

Conclusion

Mastering hair colouring combines technical skill, creativity, and staying updated with trends. Hairdressers in Edgware should understand hair toning principles to achieve stunning, healthy results for clients. Offering top-notch services, including those at our nail shop in Edgware, builds client trust and loyalty. For the best hair colouring services, visit Touch and Glow Beauty Clinic Ltd. We’re dedicated to excellence and creativity, ensuring each client looks their best while maintaining hair health.