No, toner does not lift hair. Toner is designed to neutralize unwanted tones in already lightened hair, not to lighten the hair itself.
How Toner Works
Toner works by depositing color molecules onto the hair shaft, neutralizing brassiness or yellow tones and adding subtle shades. It's most effective on pre-lightened hair because it relies on an existing light base to achieve its toning effect. It does not lift or permanently alter the hair's color.
Several sources confirm this:
- One source explicitly states that toner "does not lift or permanently alter the color of hair, but rather adds a tone over it."
- Another source explains that while some toners use developer and might lift slightly, their primary function is toning.
- Multiple forum discussions reiterate that toners do not lighten hair; they only tone existing color.
Exceptions and Clarifications
While toner itself doesn't lift, the combination of toner with a developer can sometimes lead to slight lightening. This is because the developer opens the hair cuticle, allowing the toner to penetrate and potentially slightly lighten the hair. However, this is not the primary function of toner, and the lightening effect is typically minimal. This effect is particularly relevant when using toners on darker hair or when a higher volume of developer is used.
- One source highlights that high-volume peroxide in combination with color will cause a lift, although it's not the same as bleaching.
- Another source mentions that toners containing ammonia and used with developer can lift natural regrowth, especially at lighter levels.
- Finally, a significant point to consider is that "permanent color that's in an alkaline base and even with 3% peroxide will create lift." This clarifies the distinction between toners and permanent color products.
In Summary
Toner's primary purpose is to tone, not to lift. While using a developer with toner might cause a slight lightening effect in certain situations, this isn't the intended function of the product. It is crucial to understand the difference between toners and products designed for hair lightening.
