Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Relaxers Causing Problems for Black Hair Growth

Many black women have reported chemical relaxers to have caused hair breakage, hair thinning, lack of hair growth, scalp irritation, scalp damage, and hair loss.


Relaxers straighten the hair by breaking down protein bonds in naturally curly hair, and thus loosening the natural curl pattern. However, these protein bonds are what gives the hair its strength. When the hair is straightened, it actually changes the basic structure of the hair shaft. The chemicals penetrate the hair’s cortex and enter the inner layer of the hair. They go on breaking down the bonds and stripping the hair of its strength and elasticity. This is why breakage is commonly experienced by women who use relaxers.


Relaxers are made with very strong chemicals. In fact, the straightening effect of the chemicals used in relaxers was discovered by Garret Morgan while working on an invention for sewing machine lubricating liquid. The chemicals used in relaxers are also used in household drain cleaners. This demonstrates the strength and potential effect of these chemicals. The ph value of chemical relaxers vary from 10 to 14 and are very effective as a straightening solution. However, these very strong chemicals can cause severe damage to hair and skin.

Essentially, there are two basic types of chemical relaxers: Sodium Hydroxide (lye relaxers) and Guanidine Hydroxide (no lye relaxers). While it is common belief that no lye relaxers are not damaging, this is not true. Both of these types of relaxers can cause damage.

If you make the decision to chemically relax your hair, you need to make sure that you only allow it to process for the amount of time indicated on the instructions and that you properly neutralize. It is also important to use protein and moisture treatments to keep the hair strong. Follow these tips to keep hair healthy and promote faster hair growth.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I am a 16 year old male teen, the hair on the top of my head has been thinning since age 9-10, and i fear that the stage will come that i will not have hair on the top of my head by the coming year. My self confidence is getting lower day by day. I just cant able to go outside without my hair cap. I have tried many hair products, taken many treatments but not get the good results..One of my friend just suggest me to try IHT-9, the herbal hair regrowth shampoo. I had told him that i have tried many products but not get the results…then my friend said that lets try one more. Then i agree. After using it, within weeks my hair starts regrowing and it goes on…I just cant believe this..its really a magic for me..now i dont wear my cap. Now i have become more friends . Thanks to IHT-9 Shampoo, it gives my self confidence back..

Products for hair loss | Vitamins for hair growth said...

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Unknown said...

Hi, I am 19 and I always had this problem of light hair. Now after continuous use of this herbal tonic from the website www.iht9.com .I have the healthiest hair with all that shine and buff that I have always desired. This tonic is seriously doing wonders. Give it a try!

Unknown said...

Hey,
good information I have a question i am fourteen and have a relaxer for bout 7 year maybe more it was not me or my mothers choice i had really nice curly natural hair and want to get it back to normal how can i do dat.PlEASE let me no!

Beverly Hills said...

Is it really true that relaxers are the reason behind black hair growth problems?

I have got another website for which can help you in transplant surgery of hairs

Unknown said...

Absolutely right that relaxers straighten the hair by breaking down protein bonds in naturally curly hair, and thus loosening the natural curl pattern. Opt for a hair growth treatment that is natural, and stay away from artificial methods....

Tangled Hair Techs said...

Thanks for sharing the great information about relaxers. A lot of women are now making the transition from relaxed hair to natural hair.

A lot of women are using weaves/hair extensions-but they must value maintaining their own hair while wearing the extensions-especially after the damage that has been done to their scalps from the over-processing/chemicals. It makes a big difference during the removal process as well.

The key is to enable your hair to grow thick and healthy-if not this really could be a source of further hair loss,hair damage,balding.

Frankly, most of the hair dressers or even African braiders are not trained in the Take Down Removal system or technique of taking these hair styles out-so basically bonding glue is ripped out the hair, tangled or matted roots of a sew-in weave are yanked with a comb(sooooo painful); keratin bonds from fusion extensions pull the hair out when slidding the glue out. Dreadlocks are just cut out!

We see it everyday and we get calls everyday for solutions-from mistakes hairdressers have made as well.

We just want to keep natural hair alive and strong
cheers