Relaxer Info

Taken from The Anti Hair Slave.com

My hair has been relaxed for many many many years now. I have memories of hot combs, cornrows, and beads but for the most part I remember having relaxed hair. I remember begging my mom to relax my hair because I knew it meant the end of getting the tops of my ears burned (for all of you who have experienced a hot comb, I know you feel me!) Anyway, getting back on track, since it is time for my relaxer I decided I would do a little research and try to find out more information about relaxers, especially since I've been reading bad talk about my no-lye relaxers.



Basic Info:

I don't care which relaxer type you choose it is a chemical that you are applying to your hair and scalp. The relaxer has chemicals which penetrate the hair into the cortex resulting in a change in the structure of the strand of hair. The resulting strand of hair is also left weaker than a non-relaxed strand of hair, needless to say your hair should not be damaged prior to applying a relaxer. SEEMS LIKE A NO BRAINER BUT PLEASE check for sores or scabs on your scalp before applying a relaxer, even small scratches can cause BIG problems. Your hair stylist should do this, but I've never had a stylist inspect my scalp prior to applying the relaxer so do it yourself and get someone to help you.




Lye vs. No-Lye:

Lye a.k.a. Sodium Hydroxide is the product used to straighten the hair in lye relaxers. Check your Drano bottle or other drain clog buster and you will find this sample chemical used there.

No-Lye a.k.a. Guanidine Hydroxide is the product used in most no-lye relaxers it is generally thought to be less damaging than sodium hydroxide, however it is still a chemical strong enough to alter the hair's natural state permanently. So please don't think "Oh I'll use a no-lye and I won't have any issues."


Do's and Don'ts


Don't scratch your scalp prior to a relaxer! So if you "scritching" stop @ least a week prior to your relaxer
Do rinse the relaxer out well especially your nape area (watch that wash bowl lip!)
Do use a neutralizing shampoo after a relaxer
Do condition your hair well
Don't overlap relaxer on already relaxed hair
Don't leave it on too long
Don't do your own relaxer if you're not comfortable with it (I have done my own, but I prefer to go get it done)

I've been reading that no-lye relaxers have been leaving people with dry broken off hair. I have never had that problem from a no-lye relaxer. I have never gotten a lye relaxer in my life so I can't accurately compare and contrast, but I can say that I'm scared of lye because it is a lot strong than no-lye and works a lot faster also. If I wanted my hair to be bone straight instead of tex-laxed I would look further into a lye relaxer, but since that's not the look I'm going for I'll stick with no-lye.

Ladies, tell me whether you are no-lye or lye relaxed! If you have tried both which do you prefer?