Yes, toner does stain hair, but it's temporary.
Understanding Hair Toner
Hair toner is a product used to alter the undertones of hair colour. It's not designed to dramatically change your hair colour like permanent dye. Here's what you need to know:
- How it works: Toner works by depositing colour onto the hair shaft. It can either neutralize unwanted undertones like brassiness in blonde hair or add pigment to enhance faded hair color.
- Temporary nature: Unlike permanent hair colour, toner doesn't penetrate the hair shaft as deeply. This is why it gradually washes out much quicker and has less staying power, as indicated by the reference: "A toner temporarily deposits colour onto the hair to either neutralise unwanted undertones or add pigment to enhance hair colour that has faded. Unlike permanent hair colour, toners gradually wash away much quicker due to having less staying power."
Toner vs. Permanent Dye
| Feature | Toner | Permanent Dye |
|---|---|---|
| Staining | Temporary, washes out over time | Permanent |
| Colour Change | Subtle change, neutralizes or adds pigment | Drastic colour change |
| Lasting Power | Less staying power, washes out quickly | Lasts much longer, requires root touch-ups |
What to Expect from Toner
- Subtle Results: Toners are not designed for drastic colour changes, but instead, fine tuning or enhancing.
- Fading: The colour from toner will fade with each wash. This means that the "stain" is temporary.
- Maintenance: You may need to reapply toner to maintain your desired tone.
Key Takeaways
- Toner does deposit colour onto hair, resulting in a stain.
- This "stain" is temporary and will wash out over time, unlike permanent dyes.
- Toner helps neutralize unwanted undertones or enhance the pigment of existing hair colour.
- Regular applications may be required to keep desired tone.
