What are relaxers really do to your hair?
Natural hair relaxers, also known as chemical straighteners, are chemical lotions or creams applied to natural hair to give it a sleek, straight appearance by “relaxing” your curls.
How to condition hair after using a relaxer?
Feb 16, 2022 · Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is found in many relaxers because it works to break down curls, but it can also cause burns and has a less than pleasant smell. This no-lye relaxer kit puts the health of your hair first and comes with six easy steps (from pre-treatment to conditioner) to ensure up to 90% less breakage than traditional relaxers.
How to reverse a hair relaxer?
Feb 04, 2020 · Taking proper care of your relaxed hair is essential to keep it in tip-top shape, and here are the ways: Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse your hair without stripping off its natural oils Maintain its moisture balance by applying lightweight yet …
How to get straight hair without a relaxer?
Ultra-Nourishing This product contains an ultra-moisturizing blend of oils to protect hair from damage while relaxing. Contains a unique blend of olive, shea, and pequi oils that nourish hair to protect it from damage during relaxing. Leaves hair feeling smooth, silky, shiny, and strong. Effective formula with high-quality ingredients.
How long does hair relaxer last?
about six to eight weeksThe results vary depending on your hair type, but usually a hair relaxer will leave your hair straight for about six to eight weeks. Unlike other permanent straightening methods, relaxing your hair will require touch-ups from time to time.Sep 18, 2018
What is the difference between a relaxer and a keratin treatment?
"The main difference between a keratin treatment and a relaxer is how long they straighten the hair," explains Cooper. "A keratin treatment temporarily loosens your curl pattern, and fades out over time. Your hair texture will eventually return to its natural state. With a relaxer, that is not the case at all.Jan 20, 2022
What does a relaxer do to your hair?
How Do Hair Relaxers Work? Hair relaxers straighten hair by penetrating the cuticle and the cortex layers of the hair shaft to loosen the natural curl pattern. This process leaves the hair weak, brittle and prone to breakage. It can even burn your skin, cause permanent damage to the scalp and lead to hair loss.
Is it better to relax or straighten hair?
The Beauty Brains Bottom line: Both relaxing and flat ironing damage hair, but relaxing is much worse. However, it does give some added benefits so you might decide hair relaxing is worth extra damage.Jul 10, 2008
What is the difference between a Brazilian Blowout and a relaxer?
Brazilian blowout is free of all aldehydes and carcinogens and the results of the treatment fade away after 12 weeks of washing; leaving the hair in its natural state again. It is not a relaxer but a smoothing treatment that removes frizz and damage.Mar 27, 2013
What is the least damaging hair relaxer?
Best Overall: Dark and Lovely Moisturizing No-Lye Relaxer with Shea Butter. The results are consistent and the formula claims to protect the five signs of healthy hair: moisture, shine, strength, softness, and body.Feb 16, 2022
Does relaxing your hair stop it from growing?
In some cases, if you continue to relax your hair, you can cause permanent damage to your hair follicles, when this happens, your hair will not grow back.Oct 8, 2019
What is the difference between a perm and relaxer?
Chemical Perm vs. "A chemical perm and relaxer are two totally different directions. A relaxer is designed to straighten your curl pattern, so if you want your hair straight or to loosen your natural hair, relaxers are for that. A perm is designed to create curl, waves, and texture that is not natural.Feb 10, 2022
What happens when you stop using relaxer?
There is no product to remove relaxer; when you relax your hair, it's permanently straightened. When your relaxer does come out, you will be left with Afro hair (depending on your hair type; only 4a, 4b and 4c hair are Afro). If you skip the perm or relaxer, the new hair growing underneath will be your natural hair.
What is the difference between rebonding and relaxing?
In brief, the main difference between relaxing and rebonding is that hair relaxing does not involve fully straightening the hair and requires further styling whereas rebonding involves fully straightening and resetting the hair bonds.Sep 1, 2021
When should you relax your hair?
8-10 weeks"I recommend anywhere from 8-10 weeks on average for touch-ups," says Wauchope. While eight weeks between touch-ups is recommended, some may feel the need to apply relaxers more frequently.Dec 26, 2021
Is heat damage worse than relaxed hair?
The cuticles (the outer “shingle-like” covering of your hair are NOT smoothed by relaxers, in fact, if anything, relaxers can tend to disrupt the cuticles by lifting them up due to alkaline swelling of the hair. So there you have it. Heat styling hair CAN be worse than relaxing.Nov 20, 2011
How long does it take for hair relaxers to work?
These lotions or creams work by chemically altering the structure of the hair for temporarily (usually about six to eight weeks) sleeker strands. It sounds intimidating, but the good news is ...
What is the difference between lye relaxer and no lye relaxer?
Relaxers that use lye have sodium hydroxide as the primary ingredient. These relaxers tend to be stronger and have more of a potential for burns, so they are typically applied by a licensed professional. However, they tend to be easier on the hair, since they don’t leave behind a mineral deposit. Most at-home relaxers are no-lye relaxers that use calcium hydroxide. These tend to be a bit milder on the scalp but could result in calcium buildup and dryness if not used properly. Whichever you choose, be sure to check in with a stylist regularly to ensure your hair’s health.
What are the five signs of healthy hair?
The results are consistent and the formula claims to protect the five signs of healthy hair: moisture, shine, strength, softness, and body. The kit is also super easy to follow, making it an ideal choice for newbies.
How to keep hair healthy?
You might have become accustomed to burns from relaxers, but burning and scabbing are not a good sign. Apply a base cream on your scalp and hairline to protect it from the chemicals. Celebrity Hairstylists Say These Are the Best Conditioners for Natural Hair.
Does relaxer leave hair smooth?
You don’t have to settle for dry, brittle hair just because you choose to relax. This transformative relaxer leaves hair smooth and more manageable while also hydrating with shea butter, cocoa butter, and honey. It comes with a protective pre-treatment to prevent burns, and users rave that it washes it out easily.
How long does a texturizer last?
If you’re not quite ready to permanently relax your hair but are interested in wearing your hair straighter for longer, this texturizer kit is a great option. The reversible system lasts for up to six weeks, allowing you to straighten your hair less and experience less reversion. Some users are happy with the way it loosens curls while others are disappointed that their tighter texture didn’t return, so only use this product if you’re ready for a looser curl pattern .
Does lye help with curls?
Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is found in many relaxers because it works to break down curls, but it can also cause burns and has a less than pleasant smell. This no-lye relaxer kit puts the health of your hair first and comes with six easy steps (from pre-treatment to conditioner) to ensure up to 90% less breakage than traditional relaxers.
What is the best hair relaxer?
Types of Relaxer. The best relaxer is chosen by matching the relaxer’s strength with the type and texture of hair. A ‘strand test’ is helpful in assessing compatibility. Typically, there are three kinds of chemical hair relaxers: Sodium Hydroxide Relaxers (Lye Relaxers) – Strong alkaline for fast results that can cause scalp inflammation too.
How long does it take for a hair relaxer to work?
After 10-15 minutes of processing time, the relaxer is rinsed out of the hair with warm water. A good conditioner is applied to rebalance the pH level. Then, the alkalizing chemical process is deactivated by using a neutralizing shampoo several times.
What is the best treatment for curly hair?
Hair Relaxer or Keratin Treatment – Choosing the Right One. Both chemical hair relaxer and keratin straightening are professional hair treatments that can make curly hair softer, smoother, and straighter. But trying to distinguish between these two can be really tricky until you consult an expert and have all the right information in hand.
What to do if your hair is weak?
If you do not mind turning your hair weak and restructured for a permanent straightening solution, the chemical relaxer is the way to go. But if you are not ready to play with the chemical composition your hair, stick to keratin treatment and enjoy its temporary outcomes.
What is the building block of hair?
Being the building block of our hair, keratin is widely used in hair care products, supplements, and treatments. The protective protein is rich in a certain amino acid called ‘cysteine’, which makes the hair super strong and highly elastic, thus turning it healthier and less prone to breakage.
How to get straight hair?
Performed in the salon by hair experts, this time-intensive procedure for getting straight, smooth hair involves the following steps: Your hair is prepared by washing thoroughly. It can either be blow-dried or left wet for the next step.
Where is keratin found?
Keratin is the structural protein of our hair, nails, and skin. It is also found naturally in our internal organs and glands and can be derived from nails, horns, feathers, and wools of animals as well. Being the building block of our hair, keratin is widely used in hair care products, supplements, and treatments.
What is a relaxer for black hair?
A relaxer, also known as a perm for Black hair, is a chemical treatment that straightens curly hair by breaking down the bonds in the hair shaft.
How long after a perm can you use a relaxer?
Rinses can be applied on the same day as a perm, but other color processes should be used a minimum of two weeks after .
Who is Del Sandeen?
Del Sandeen is a contributing writer with over 20 years of experience in editorial. She has an expertise in natural hair and Black women's issues. Nigella Miller is a NYC-based natural hair and grooming expert with over 13 years of experience.
How to grow hair long and strong?
A healthy scalp is key for growing tresses long and strong. Avoid frequent hair washing, if possible. Scal p massages are great, too—level that up with a dollop of coconut oil for ultimate nourishing. Hair that's both relaxed and colored requires a lot of TLC.
How long does a perm last?
Perms last anywhere from six to eight weeks. After this time, you'll need to have a touch up to avoid major damage and breakage to your hair. If you relax your hair too often, it will get damaged, but if you wait too long in between touch-ups, your hair risks major breakage between the relaxed parts and the new growth.
Can relaxers cause hair loss?
Relaxers have been around for decades, and home relaxer kits are easy and inexpensive; but if not used correctly, they can cause serious, sometimes irreversible damage to the hair and scalp. 1 There are times when you should steer clear of this chemical process altogether.
What is keratin relaxer?
A keratin relaxer is a professional hair treatment that promises to tame frizz and encourage straight, silky locks. It works through the direct application of keratin, a natural protein.
What is neutralizing shampoo?
A neutralizing shampoo is typically used during the process of relaxing the hair. Adding formaldehyde helps keratin relaxers work more effectively and also helps the results last longer. Keratin itself adds protein strength to hair, which has been shown to help combat frizz.
Where did keratin hair treatments originate?
Keratin hair treatments originated in Brazil, and are marketed as “Brazilian keratin treatments” in some places. They represent an alternative to strictly chemical hair relaxer products, in large part because keratin is a naturally derived protein compound. Most keratin treatments also contain some chemicals, however.
How long does keratin treatment last?
Keratin treatments often take several hours to apply, but results usually last for several months. Some keratin relaxers are formulated to help tame curly hair. A neutralizing shampoo is typically used during the process of relaxing the hair. Keratin hair treatments may be used to treat damaged hair.
How to use hair relaxer at home?
Here is how to use them: Coat your hair with petroleum jelly to prevent scalp and hair damage. Apply the relaxer (cream or lotion) to the hair ends and work your way up the strands. Leave the relaxer on for 15 minutes and rinse it out with warm water.
What is the pH of hair relaxers?
Hair relaxers have a pH between 9-12 and are incredibly harsh on your skin. They may ( 4 ): A study also indicated a close link between hair relaxers and uterine leiomyomata (cancer) ( 5 ). However, further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.
What is keratin treatment?
It is a semi-permanent process that focuses on hair strengthening without disrupting its texture. Keratin is a protein essential for your hair’s structural strength.
How long does it take to get keratin out of hair?
The semi-dry hair is saturated with the keratin protein solution. The solution is left undisturbed for 30 minutes.
Who is Ramona from Skin Care?
Ramona is a journalist-turned-content writer. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and has been writing for the digital world for over five years. She specializes in writing for Skin Care. She has done a certificate course titled ‘Dermatology: Trip To The Skin’, offered by Novosibirsk State University. She believes that beauty begins with a good skin care regimen and is on a mission to eliminate all toxins from her routine. She helps and guides readers in selecting products and ingredients specific to their skin type/issue. When Ramona is not working, her books and passion for music, good food, and traveling keep her busy.
How long after keratin treatment should I wash my hair?
After-Care. Do not wash, style, or tie your hair for at least 72 hours after the treatment. Use sulfate-free hair products to wash and condition your keratin-treated hair. Avoid excess UV and chlorinated or salt water exposure to prevent any damage.
Is keratin a carcinogen?
Keratin-based hair products contain formaldehyde in large concentrations. The FDA recognizes formaldehy de as a human carcinogen, as prolonged exposure to this chemical may cause certain types of cancers ( 2 ). The procedure often releases a strong-smelling gas that may trigger ( 3 ):
How to use keratin in hair?
If you're thinking about trying it, you should know this: 1 What Is Keratin? It's a protein that's naturally in your hair. 2 How It Works: A stylist applies a keratin hair-straightening product to your hair and then uses the heat of a flat iron to seal it in. The process takes about 90 minutes or longer, depending on your hair's length. Salon keratin products include Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by Coppola, Global Keratin Complex, the La-Brasiliana treatment, Brazilian Keratin Treatment, the Brazilian Blowout, and Brazilian Hair Straightening. 3 Time-Saving Tresses: If you usually style your hair straight, a keratin hair-straightening treatment could shorten your blow-dry time by 40% to 60%, says hair stylist Henri Borday of New York's Mizu salon and corporate educator for Global Keratin. 4 Farewell, Frizz: You can forget about frizzy hair after treatment. "You could walk out in moist or light rain and your hair won’t change," Borday says. 5 Wait Before You Wash: You shouldn't wash your hair for three or four days after getting the treatment. That's because the solution takes time to work, he says. 6 Upkeep: After you get a keratin hair treatment, and after the don't-wash waiting period, you should use sodium-sulfate-free shampoo to help maintain the treatment. 7 How Long It Lasts: Expect the results to last two to 2 1/2 months.
How long does it take for a flat iron to seal hair?
The process takes about 90 minutes or longer, depending on your hair's length.
How long does keratin last?
How Long It Lasts: Expect the results to last two to 2 1/2 months. Keratin treatments won't make your hair break, but the flat-ironing might. "The hair breakage has nothing to do with the treatments and everything to do with the flat irons that are used to dry and seal the hair afterward," says New York dermatologist Neil Sadick, MD.
