What does relaxer do to straight hair?

Chemical straighteners like relaxers can help keep fuzz at bay and permanently smooth and straighten coily, curly or wavy hair. Relaxers straighten the hair by breaking the disulfide bonds within the strands, allowing them to be physically manipulated and rearranged.

How can I relax my hair without damaging it?

1. Minimize damage by applying a base to your scalp well in advance of the relaxing process. Adding a heavy petroleum base to your scalp as well as to any sensitive skin that may be exposed to the relaxer can go a long way toward preventing damage.

Is it better to relax or straighten hair?

When you flat iron your hair, you remove curls/frizz by first mechanically forcing hair straight and then removing the water with heat. It works just like an iron on clothes. Both relaxing and flat ironing damage hair but relaxing is much worse because it actually degrades hair proteins.

Can you put relaxer on dirty hair?

Relax “Dirty” Hair If you know you’re due for a relaxer, avoid cleansing (this includes co-washing) for about 7-10 days before applying chemicals.

Does stretching relaxer cause breakage?

There is however some risk involved with stretching as there is a higher chance of tangling between the two textures, and increased breakage at the line of demarcation (where the new growth meets the relaxed hair), particularly if care isn’t taken.

Do relaxers damage your hair?

Because hair relaxers contain lye, they can damage your hair and scalp if used incorrectly, and even cause hair loss. 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.

What are some disadvantages of using hair relaxers?

Cons of Hair Relaxers

• Chemicals weaken the hair which increase the chance of regular breakage.
• Chance of permanent damage to the scalp and hair.
• Can become limp.
• Easier to manage but harder to maintain healthy hair.

What is the safest hair relaxer?

• Best Overall: Dark and Lovely Moisturizing No-Lye Relaxer with Shea Butter.
• Best Budget: Revlon Professional Regular Conditioning Creme Relaxer.
• Best for Damaged Hair: Design Essentials Conditioning Relaxer.
• Best Gentle: Just for Me No-Lye Regular Conditioning Creme Relaxer.

What happens when you stop using relaxer?

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. Below is a picture of scarring alopecia on the top of the scalp. Scarring causes the hair follicle opening to close. This causes permanent hair loss.

Is a relaxer damaging?

What happens when you leave relaxer in too long?

Burning. Yes, relaxers are strong chemicals so there is bound to be some discomfort. This is a classic symptom of relaxers that have been left in your hair for too long. Burning can cause severe, and often permanent, damage to your scalp and hair.