Q: Is there a difference between hair developer and hair activator? I am going back to a more natural color and the dye says
use hair activator and the shop sold me developer. Thank you!
A: Activator and Developer are basically two terms for products that do the same thing. Developer “activates” the chemical processes
that allow the haircolor to be deposited into the hair shaft, and so some specific color makers use the term “activator” for their
specific developer product. While it is usually recommended by the makers of a haircolor formula that you use the associated products
made by them, in most cases you can achieve the same results with any developer formula.
These formulas vary only slightly in most cases, although by not using a companies associated
products you likely invalidate any claim you have against them if something goes wrong with the application of the product. It’s
likely that the shop sold you the developer because there is no difference in that particular product, or because they may have had
some promotion in effect for the developer product.
If you have concerns about the compatibility, contact the shop and explain your concerns and make
sure that you have compatible hair products. Most shops that sell beauty supplies try to employ at least some number of licensed
professionals in cosmetology who can advise you specifically on the product lines that they carry.
A: Activator and Developer are basically two terms for products that do the same thing. Developer “activates” the chemical processes
that allow the haircolor to be deposited into the hair shaft, and so some specific color makers use the term “activator” for their
specific developer product. While it is usually recommended by the makers of a haircolor formula that you use the associated products
made by them, in most cases you can achieve the same results with any developer formula.
