The disadvantages of hair relaxers are possible thinning of hair, follicle inflammation, unbalanced scalp pH, sores on your scalp, hair dryness, hair breakage and burning.
A hair relaxer does not stop hair growth unless you use a relaxer too much and cause permanent damage to the hair follicles.
If you damage your hair follicles by using hair relaxers too much then the hair will stop growing and not grow back.
A relaxer can make hair thinner over time if not maintained correctly.
However when maintained correctly the relaxer does not typically make your hair thinner.
You can relax your hair without a relaxer by using a flat iron and doing a hot oil hair treatment such as with coconut oil or olive oil.
When flat ironing your natural hair, it is very important to start with clean, dry hair.
Also, ensure to section your hair before starting to make it easier and more tangible to work with.
And always, start with a heat protectant.
You can make your natural hair soft without a hair relaxer by using an oil treatment with coconut oil, olive oil or Argan oil.
You can also make your natural hair soft without a relaxer by using an egg and yogurt hair mask or a coconut milk hair mask.
You can wash relaxed hair although you should wait a few days or a week at least before washing your hair to allow the relaxer to set in and work which also allows your hair time to adjust to the relaxer.
Relaxers do permanently straighten your hair although you usually need touch ups of relaxers every 6 weeks to 12 weeks.
A relaxer lasts in your hair forever and is considered permanent which is why relaxers are also called perms.
Although the hair growth which grows in is your natural texture and requires relaxer touch ups every 6 weeks to 12 weeks.
A good alternative to relaxers are oil treatments or hot oil hair treatments which use coconut oil, olive oil or other natural oils.
The hot oil treatments for hair lock in moisture and prevent hair damage and are safer and more natural than hair relaxers that use chemicals which can damage your hair.
Your hair can be still curly after a hair relaxer as a result of not smoothing out the relaxer through your new growth or coating your hair with too much relaxer before you relax and even changing the relaxer you normally used can lead to curly hair after use of a relaxer.
You should put a relaxer in your hair if you want relaxed hair and as long as your hair is not curly and you want to keep your hair curly.
If you do put relaxers in your hair you must use proper care to prevent hair breakage and hair loss.
Relaxers are bad for curly hair as the relaxers break the bonds in your curly hair and also can cause additional complications.
Salons treat frizzy hair by using a Keratin hair treatment which is also known as a Brazilian blowout.
The Brazilian blowout is a salon hair treatment that involves applying a keratin based solution to your hair and then using a flat iron to seal the formula into your hair cuticle.
A hot oil treatment softens frizzy hair.
The hot oil treatment for your frizzy hair uses plant based essential oils such as almond oil, olive oil or coconut oil to seal your hair's cuticle which reduces dryness and frizz and results in silky and smooth hair.
To calm super frizzy hair you should use a glycerin packed shampoo and use a difusser when drying your hair.
Also avoid the hairspray and use a hair relaxer.
Lowering the amount of heat and friction your hair fibers are exposed to will also get rid of frizz.
Be sure to dry hair with either an ionic hairdryer or a microfiber towel.
Using cold water on your hair helps get rid of frizz as well.
To tame frizz fast, use a serum.
A relaxer will help frizzy hair and smooth the hair out as well a reduce the curl in your hair.
Keeping your hair moisturized is also key to keeping your hair from becoming frizzy even after using a hair relaxer.
Relaxed hair can turn out puffy as a result of lack of moisture in your hair.
When relaxing your hair you should do frequent conditioning to keep your relaxed hair moisturized.
Also hair that needs strengthening from protein also tends to frizz which means the hair cuticles don't lay flat but instead have lifted scales caused by chemical and or heat abuse.
The damage that hair relaxers cause are brittle hair, weak hair and breakage of the hair.
Hair relaxers can also burn the skin and cause permanent damage to your scalp and even lead to hair loss.
Most hair relaxers do have carcinogens such as parabens, Bisphenol A, heavy metals, and formaldehyde that can be released when heated.
The safest chemical hair straightener is Keratin treatment which is a safe way to permanently straighten your hair as it does not rely on the use of harsh chemicals like permanent waves and hair relaxers do.
Hair relaxers takes on average of 10 minutes to kick in.
You should wait 2 to 3 months before getting another hair relaxer treatment because relaxing your hair toot quickly between the relaxers you risk over processing the hair which causes breakage.
The type of hair relaxers that hair salons use is a Lye Relaxer which is a sodium hydroxide based hair relaxer which is very effective at breaking down the hair's bonds and straightens the hair quickly.
The two most common types of hair relaxers are Thio and Hydroxide hair relaxes.
Hydroxide hair relaxers include potassium, hydroxide, guanidine hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and potassium and is marketed as base and no base relaxers.
Lye hair relaxers are the most commonly used hair relaxers.
The main active ingredient (sodium hydroxide) in Lye hair relaxers quickly breaks down the hair's bonds and makes the process much faster.
The stronger chemicals in this hair relaxer can cause severe damage to your hair and scalp if not applied by a professional.
There are 3 primary types of hair relaxers which include lye hair relaxers, no-lye hair relaxers, and natural hair relaxers that does not contain any chemicals.
Lye hair relaxers contain sodium hydroxide or NaOH in its chemical compound format.
It is one of the strongest chemicals used in hair relaxers.
For coarse hair, the recommended hair relaxer is ORS Olive Oil Built-In Protection No-Lye Hair Relaxer Extra Strength—it straightens even the thickest strands.
And for those with sensitive scalps, look no further than Avlon Affirm Fiberguard Sensitive Scalp Relaxer.
It gets hair sleek and straight while avoiding burns.
The active ingredient in a no-lye relaxer tends to be less irritating on the scalp, and formulated for people with sensitive scalps.
Although no-lye relaxers are less irritating than lye relaxers on the scalp, they can cause serious damage to your hair when used improperly by yourself or an untrained stylist.
Sodium hydroxide relaxer is also commonly known as lye or caustic soda.
A sodium hydroxide relaxer is an example of a chemical hair relaxer.
It is a chemical compound that has the formula NaOH.
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.
Relaxers are permanent – hence, the alternative name “perm.”
However, the hair growth that grows in is your natural texture, requiring relaxer touch-ups every 6 to 12 weeks depending on your preference and how fast your hair grows.
If you want to have smooth straight hair, a relaxer is better for you.
However if you want to have curls or textured waves, go for a perm.
Both treatments can alter your hair structure and both give equally amazing results, especially when done properly.