How to safely relax your hair

Relaxing your hair gives you the ability to achieve a sleek and manageable look. It’s not for everyone, but if you’ve been eyeing this option, or have been relaxing your hair already, we’re going to highlight the important points. With this treatment you must consider both its potential damages and the after care required. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of hair relaxing, what it is, the risks and the aftercare needed to maintain healthy hair. Let's dive in!

What is hair relaxing?

Hair relaxing is a chemical process which alters the natural curl pattern of the hair. Typically, it uses sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide, relaxers to break down the protein structure of the hair, to achieve the straight hair look. 

What are the risks?

When you break down the protein structure of your hair, our hair becomes prone to damage. The three most common types of damage to look out for are:

Chemical Damage

• Protein Breakdown: Chemical relaxers often contain strong alkaline agents that break down the protein structure of the hair. This can lead to weakened strands and compromise the overall health of the hair.
• Cuticle Damage: The cuticle, the outer layer of the hair, can be damaged during the relaxing process, making the hair more susceptible to breakage and environmental damage.

Dryness and Brittle Hair

• Stripped Natural Oils: Chemical relaxers can strip the hair of its natural oils, resulting in dry and brittle hair.
• Reduced Elasticity: The loss of natural oils can reduce the hair's elasticity, making it more prone to breakage and less resilient.

Scalp Irritation

• Chemical Burns: Improper application of relaxers or sensitivity to the chemicals can lead to scalp irritation and, in severe cases, chemical burns.
• Itching and Redness: Some individuals may experience itching, redness, or discomfort on the scalp after using relaxers.

After care tips

Anytime you are changing the protein structure of your hair forcibly, you compromise those building blocks, which makes your hair prone to damage After care is extremely important so that you can enjoy your hair, and protect it:

Keep your hair moisturized.

Avoiding Overlapping Relaxers

Take care of your ends

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Conclusion

Hair relaxing is probably one of the most strenuous treatments for your hair, because it breaks down the natural structure of the hair entirely. Any time you are changing the structure of your hair, your hair becomes more prone to damage. This is why after care is critical to keep the integrity of your hair. But the great thing about relaxing your hair is the daily convenience. So as long as you maintain a good after care schedule, you should be ok.