Full Answer
What are relaxers really do to your hair?
- Abra McField is the founder of Abra Kadabra Hair & Healing.
- Tippi Shorter is the Global Artistic Director of Mizani.
- Al Campbell is a professional hairstylist, specializing in textured hair.
How to condition hair after using a relaxer?
- Coconut milk – 1 can
- Honey – 2 tablespoons
- Coconut oil – 2 tablespoons
- Yogurt (plain) – 4 tablespoons
- Lime – 1 (you will need juice)
- Cornstarch
How to reverse a hair relaxer?
You cannot reverse a relaxer, once your hair is permed the molecular sructure stays that way permanently and the only way to get rid of it is to cut it. I had a similar experience though. I wore my hair natural until i was in 11th grade and then permed it.
How to get straight hair without a relaxer?
How do you maintain your straight hair without a relaxer?
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What is a hair relaxer treatment?
Hair relaxing is a permanent straightening treatment that relies on a chemical process to break down hair strands. If that sounds pretty intense, that's because it is. Relaxing treatments are best suited for someone who wants to ditch their wavy or curly hair altogether and have long-term super straight hair.
What is it called when you relax your hair?
A hair relaxer is a cream-like treatment that is typically used to chemically 'relax'/straighten curls and afro hair (hence the term hair relaxer). For over a century, relaxers have played an integral part of black women's hair experience.
Is keratin treatment the same as a relaxer?
"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.
What are the two types of relaxers?
Hydroxide and Thio are the most common types of hair relaxers. Hydroxide relaxer types include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and guanidine hydroxide.
What are the different types of relaxers?
There are three types of relaxers; sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide and ammonium thioglycolate.
What is the name of the first hair relaxer?
Proline, the manufacturers of Dark and Lovely, manufactured the first official lye relaxer, which consisted of sodium hydroxide, water, petroleum jelly, mineral oil and emulsifiers.
Is a Brazilian Blowout the same as 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.
Is Relaxing same as smoothing?
Smoothening gives the same results as straightening but makes hair look natural soft, shiny and less frizzy. Relaxing on the other hand is used to untighten the curls. Relaxed hair as well gives the look of having straight and unfuzzy hairs. Straightening is the process of trying hair to look almost straight.
What is the difference between texturizer and relaxer?
Unlike a relaxer, which straightens your hair, a texturizer is a chemical process that smooths and de-frizzes your hair while maintaining some of your natural curls.
What is the most commonly used hair relaxer?
1. Lye Relaxer. Lye relaxers are the most commonly used relaxers. The main active ingredient (sodium hydroxide) quickly breaks down the hair's bonds and makes the process much faster.
What is the difference between hair relaxing and rebonding?
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.
What is the safest hair relaxer?
Best for Sensitive Scalps: Avlon Affirm Fiberguard Sensitive Scalp Crème Relaxer. If you've been relaxing your hair for a while, you're likely no stranger to scalp burns—but this doesn't have to be the norm. This gentle formula is safe for color-treated hair and even the most sensitive scalps.
How old is the brand of hair relaxer?
The brand is more than 110 years old, which ensures a huge trust factor.
How long does a hair relaxer last?
Unlike other products, these are not designed to last a day, or a week, or even a month: a good hair relaxer can keep your hair straight for 6 to 8 weeks!
What is a shea butter conditioner?
A shea butter conditioning relaxer that protects and replenishes the hair. A cream activator that activates the moisturizing ingredients in the formula.
What is an ORs hair relaxer?
The ORS Olive Oil Built-in protection hair relaxer falls in the mid-range of affordability. What makes it worth the investment are the additional items and products that are provided with it. It contains an aloe- and olive oil-based neutralizing shampoo, a deep conditioning treatment, and a setting mousse. These products further hydrate the hair and maintain the treatment’s effects, while the hair stays detangled, soft, and shiny. Additionally, it comes with a pair of latex gloves and a mixing stick, both aimed to make the mixing process easier and more pleasant. Lastly, it also comes with a step-by-step guide on how to mix the product successfully before applying it on your hair. This video might come in handy as you read and apply the instructions on the packaging.
What is Hawaiian Silky Hair Relaxer?
The Hawaiian Silky hair relaxer is a product that uses lye. The difference here is that instead of using the standard sodium hydroxide, this hair relaxer uses lithium hydroxide, which has a slightly lower pH level. The close to your hair’s natural state the pH level is, the healthier your hair will be.
What does it mean when you feel hair strands?
If you can feel the hair strand, but only slightly, it means you have medium or moderate hair. People with medium hair can typically use almost any hair relaxer, but they might want to stick with those that aren’t marketed towards any particular diameter.
Is lye a good hair relaxer?
Not only is it effective and as healthy as any lye-containing hair relaxer can be, but you get a very large container for a reasonable price. This means you don’t have to worry about the product running out too soon if your hair is long.
What Is A Hair Relaxer?
Hair relaxers are creams or lotions containing chemicals that stylists apply to your natural hair for a sleek, straightened appearance. These chemical straighteners penetrate the cortex layers of your hair shaft and cuticles. They break the disulphide bonds within your strands, preventing them from providing shape and texture to your hair.
Potential Risks After Relaxing Your Hair
Like any chemical process, hair relaxers can damage your hair. Since you need this chemical process to change your hair texture, you can’t expect your strands to remain unscathed.
Are You A Suitable Candidate For Hair Relaxing?
If you’ve just recently dyed your hair, you should wait until it grows out before you consider a relaxer. That’s because the combination of peroxide in hair colour and lye in relaxers can result in severe damage to both your scalp and hair.
Caring For Your Relaxed Hair: 3 Maintenance Tips
When you choose to relax your hair, you’re also exposing your hair and scalp to potential problems. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on the procedure altogether. By following these smart tips, you can enjoy your gorgeous straight hair without suffering from hair and scalp issues.
Regular Conditioning
Hair relaxers strip away your hair’s natural oils during the straightening process, so replacing that moisture and keeping your strands hydrated is essential. Use a good-quality, non-greasy formula to maintain proper moisture levels in your hair after washing with a sulphate-free shampoo.
Avoid Heat
Heat can cause breakage and split ends, especially on chemically-treated hair. While heat styling tools are undeniably convenient, excessive use of them will eventually lead to damage. Limit your use of them when possible and always use a heat protectant or a low heat setting.
Wrap It At Night
If you’re looking to protect your delicate tresses while sleeping, wearing a silk hair wrap is something to consider. Not only does it stop your hair from becoming tangled, but it also helps control the natural oils produced in your hair.
How to keep hair from burning when using relaxer?
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.
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 ...
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.
Can you put relaxer on your scalp?
You should also be sure to pretreat your hair with a protective base and be sure to never apply the relaxer directly to the scalp.
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.
Can you relax your hair in the 90s?
It sounds intimidating, but the good news is that hair relaxers have come a long way since the 90s. You can definitely have healthy relax ed hair," says Lyonisha Sanders, hairstylist, and owner of Lavish Salon & Extensions Bar.
Is bleached hair porous?
Hair that has been color-treated or bleached is more porous than hair types, so it’s important to find a safe relaxer that won’t damage the already sensitive strands. This formula is made with color-treated hair in mind to gently relax without causing breakage or brassiness of hair color.
What is a strand test?
A professional can perform a “strand test,” which will test the strength of your hair in order to further assess which type of relaxer is best for you. Porch added that professionals have better, stylist-approved hair products that can help specially treat your hair.
What is a hair relaxer?
9.18.18. Image: istock. By definition, a hair relaxer is a lotion or cream that makes the hair easier to straighten and manage. It reduces the curl by breaking down the hair strand and chemically altering the texture.
Can hair relaxers cause hair loss?
Depending on your hair type, hair relaxers might cause breakage, hair thinning, and stunt your hair growth. Porch said the process may also result in chemical burns on the scalp and other areas -- with some women have also complained of scalp irritation, scalp damage or hair loss.
Can you get hair damaged with a relaxer?
It’s important to understand that if you get a relaxer, your hair will be damaged in the long run and will require special care to repair it.Porch said she’s seen healthy and damaged relaxed hair and healthy and damaged natural hair --- but it’s all about how you take of your crown.
Is no lye good for scalp?
No-lye, on the other hand, is mostly made of calcium hydroxide, which can dry out the hair. However, no-lye is better for people with sensitive scalps.
Do you need a hair relaxer?
First things first: No one needs a hair relaxer—but if you want one, you definitely shouldn't feel embarrassed about it. Ever since the natural hair movement blew up on the internet—which, FYI, is a great thing—some people might feel a little ashamed when it comes to relaxing their hair, or even thinking about relaxing their hair. But I'm here to tell you that the decision to relax your hair is 100 percent personal. Only you know what's best for you, and if that means trying a relaxer, you shouldn't be afraid to go all out. And if you're looking for the best at-home relaxer to try RN, you're in luck. Keep reading for everything you should know, plus, the best kits worth your $$$.
Is Strengthening Hair Relaxer legit?
Sure, the phrase "strengthening hair relaxer" might sound like an oxymoron, but I swear this formula is actually legit. The magic is in the ceramides—an ingredient you may recognize from your moisturizer, but when it's placed in hair products, it works to keep your hair cuticle flat.
Can hair relaxers burn?
Here's the thing, though: Getting your hair relaxed by a professional is typically the best option, especially since relaxers are filled with super-intense chemicals that can lead to breakage and burning if used incorrectly.
Is there a no lye relaxer?
Because this relaxer is no-lye, the active ingredient is calcium hydroxide instead of sodium hydroxide. No-lye relaxers are perf if you want something a little gentler or if you have a sensitive scalp. This hair relaxer isn't harsh on your hair, but it's still strong enough to leave your texture straighter.
Is mild relaxer good for fine hair?
Perfect for fine to medium textures, this one-step mild relaxer is way easy to use and way less intense on your hair than a regular relaxer. There's also a built-in conditioner in the formula that hydrates TF out of your hair by targeting dry spots.
Does a hair relaxer dry hair?
Some relaxers can really dry out your hair , which is basically a recipe for disaster (especially if your hair is naturally a bit parched). But this hair relaxer is packed with a hydrating blend of shea butter, cocoa butter, and honey, giving your hair a shot of moisture that'll last long after you rinse it out. 2.
Why do hair stylists use lye relaxers?
Usually the lye relaxers are used by the hair stylist, because they are professionals so they know the right amount to apply and the right time to rinse, and moreover they apply it evenly all over the scalp and hair, which leads to reduced risk of scalp irritation and burning sensation on your scalp,
What is lye relaxer?
Lye Relaxers. Lye is a mixture of sodium hydroxide, water, petroleum jelly, mineral oil and emulsifiers. These mixtures are absorbed by the hair protein and weaken the hair bond which loosen the coil of hair and straighten it, this is the process happening with the lye relaxer,
What is the pH level of a lye relaxer?
The amount of lye used in hair differ from relaxers and the brands, normally the lye relaxer has the pH level of between 12 to 14, they can cause much more damage to the hair than the no-lye relaxers.
Can you use lye relaxer on sensitive scalp?
No lye relaxers are best suitable for people with sensitive scalp, since sodium hydroxide is replaced with other hydroxides, the pH level is reduced and are suitable for the sensitive scalp and fine hair,
Can you mix hydroxide relaxer?
Even though the base ingredient is hydroxide is both the relaxers, mixing it and applying on your hair is not adviceable, because there is a high chance of mess up in the pH level, as both has different pH levels, do not mix them and mess them up.
Is lye relaxer bad for hair?
Any relaxers are bad for the hair, but it is based on how much and how often you use it, over use of both lye and no lye relaxers causes damage to the hair and may even lead to hair loss, so be careful about choosing it and using it.
Types of Relaxers
It’s the professional recommendation of all our experts to have a licensed stylist apply your relaxer, in a salon setting, but we know some of you do this at home. So we want to give you the guidance to do it right. Having the best products is a good starting point.
Application
Relaxer application begins with parting your hair and applying a “base.” The term refers to a petroleum-based product used to protect the scalp.
