Beauty & fashion

Straightening Your Hair With Chemical Relaxers

There are a number of products available for straightening your hair.  From shampoos, to irons, to chemicals… you have nearly an infinite number of choices for straightening.  A popular option is to chemically relaxing your hair. These can be used in either straightening or curling. However, it is necessary to exercise great caution, as excesses can cause severe damage. Mixing too strong a solution or leaving it on too long can leave you wishing you could start over again. At that point, unfortunately, the damage is already done.

If you decide you are comfortable attempting this technique yourself, rather than going to a professional, it is imperative that you read and follow the directions explicitely. It’s better to err on the side of caution, and have to live with hair that isn’t quite as straight as you might like, than to have to endure severely damaged hair for the several months it takes to grow out.  If you’re not certain, then mix your solution a bit weaker, and/or leave it on a bit less time.

Most chemical relaxers come with an accompanying conditioner, and some will come with two… one to use prior to the treatment and another to use after washing the treatment solution out. Do NOT substitute these conditioners with one of your own! Doing so may not only have an adverse effect on the results, but may result in an unforeseen chemical reaction that can be hazardous.

Even with a single treatment, it is possible to “burn” your hair, but repetitive treatments should be avoided as much as possible. Most products will specify an acceptable periodicity, and it is advisable to follow their advice.

Chemical relaxers provide a more lasting result, and when used properly, can allow you to keep your hair and scalp healthy and attractive. It is important to remember, however, that you are chemically altering your hair, and you should proceed cautiously.  For instance, you may need to brush more lightly, or even change your hairbrush, as your hair may become somewhat brittle.