Black hair comes in various beautiful textures, including coils and curly locks. But when you're ready for a change, straightening curly hair can be a stylish and easy way to update your style. Curly hair is often thought of as a way to achieve permanent curls. Still, for people of African descent and those with naturally curly or oily hair types, the term refers to chemically relaxing their hair to make it straight. So, let us get into this read to learn more about these relaxers for black hair.
Does Using A Relaxer Harm Natural Hair?
Home relaxer kits are convenient and affordable, but they risk damaging your hair and scalp if not used properly. Relaxers have been around for a long time, and they are easy to use. It is better to take extra precautions, and thus, one should use a gentle relaxer like Samuel’s Science if your hair has any of these problems:
Deteriorated and possibly damaged hair
Weakness from the hair roots
Ability to easily break hair
Hair has been bleached
The worst case scenario is if you use a standard relaxer on already damaged hair. Additionally, the chemicals might be damaging to your skin, so it's crucial to have a healthy scalp. Samuel’s Science and Wet Sets are kinder ways to straighten hair if your curly and frizzy locks resist. If not, rock those gorgeous curls until your hair can recover.
The widespread belief that relaxers stimulate hair growth is unfounded. To reiterate, relaxers are not a growth inducers. They might only do it because your real hair length is more apparent when your hair is straightened. You must care for your scalp if you want thick, long hair. Try not to wash your hair too often if you can help it. Also, massaging your scalp is fantastic; try adding a little coconut oil to take it to the next level.
Difference Between Lye and No-Lye Relaxers
Currently, lye and no-lye relaxers are the two most sought-after varieties in the perm market. Both claim to provide you with sleek, straight hair, but picking the right one can be challenging. We'll compare the lye relaxer with the no-lye relaxer to determine the difference.
Typically, relaxers have a pH ranging from 9 to 14. "Super strength" lye relaxers have a pH between 11 and 14, while the milder no-lye relaxers have a pH between 9 and 10. The no-lye relaxers claim to be milder and less harsh on the scalp than the lye relaxers.
The lower pH of a no-lye relaxer makes it seem like the obvious choice for hair relaxers, but some women still prefer lye relaxers due to their effectiveness. You should use a stronger relaxer if you want your hair to look straight but very coarse.
The application of a lye relaxer is rapid because of the product's potency. Lye relaxers are best applied by a professional hairstylist, who can distribute the product evenly over your scalp, apply it swiftly, and then rinse it before and after it straightens your hair, preventing damage.
However, while no-lye relaxers are mild, they might not be able to straighten coarse hair successfully. The individual hair strands are more likely to be weak and easily broken when using no-lye relaxers. Relaxers that contain lye are kinder to the hair strands but can lead to burns on the scalp, while relaxers that do not contain lye are kinder to the scalp but still damage the hair strands.
Using either lye or non-lye relaxers has its advantages and disadvantages. Which one would work best with your hair type is, thus, entirely up to you. At this point, it would be helpful to consult a professional hairstylist. Additionally, it is not necessary to change relaxers too often. If you're having trouble getting your hair to relax after using one relaxer, wait a few weeks until you see new growth.
Best Relaxers In The Market
1. Samuel’s Science
Samuel’s Science is a no-lye, sulfur and amino-acid based, gentle relaxer. Based on a vitamin-grade amino acid, and developed according to European Union standards, Samuel’s Science products are designed with a focus on clean materials. The Samuel’s Science process is safe to use at home and is designed for home use. Samuel’s Science’s Modern Relaxer is coming to the market soon. Learn more on our website at www.samuelsscience.com.
2. SoftSheen Carson
You can get salon-quality straight hair without leaving your house with the help of SoftSheen's Carson Optimum No-Lye Relaxer. Coconut oil and ceramide are two hair-strengthening ingredients in this ultimate conditioning cream. A silky, smooth finish is the result of this process. Ceramides deflate the cuticle, boost shine, and shield hair from damage. They aid in moisture retention and make each hair strand more pliable.
The six simple but effective components of this salon-quality black hair relaxer for use at home are as follows:
● A protective pre-treatment
● A conditioning relaxer cream
● An activator
● A neutralizing shampoo
● A reconstructor
● A leave-in strengthener
In addition, there's a whipped oil moisturizer that you can use once or twice for touch-ups. With just six simple steps and 90% less breakage, you can achieve salon-quality smooth and straight hair with the help of the whipped oil moisturizer. It smooths out frizz and makes hair as smooth as silk. It works well with a variety of hair textures, including normal hair.
2. Syntonics Botanical Conditioning Creme
Regarding relaxers, one of the safest options for black hair and transitioning hair is the beautiful Syntonics Botanical Conditioning Creme Relaxer. It promotes healthier scalp conditions as a treatment for irritated or inflamed scalp. With the help of aloe vera and calendula, this soothing conditioner hydrates and conditions the scalp.
Honey, cocoa butter, and Shea butter boost minerals and phytonutrients. The final product is luxurious, silky hair that looks like it was straightened by hand. The hair is revitalized and refreshed, gaining body, bounces, and a shiny, sleek sheen. It is to be reminded that this product is generally used for all hair types.
4. Avlon Fiber Guard
Preserve up to 40% of hair strength with the four-step Avlon Fiber Guard Sensitive Scalp Relaxer Kit, which does not use lye. This healthy black hair relaxer contains Avlon's unique Fiber Strengthening Complex (FSC), which helps to restructure and reinforce hair fibers from the inside out. After relaxing the hair, the strengthening polymer in the straightening cream increases its elasticity, provides tensile strength, and penetrates the roots, according to scientific evidence.
In addition to increasing the hair's elasticity, the cream gives the hair maximum straightness. Optimal care is provided, osmotic pressure buildup is retarded, and mechanical stresses and environmental pollutants are protected from. Dry hair gets a body and shines with the help of this well-liked black hair relaxer that controls breakage. For delicate scalps, it's the perfect remedy for maximum comfort. This product is usually advised for people with dry hair type.
5. ORS Olive Oil Professional
For exceptional conditioning, try ORS's Olive Oil Professional Creme Relaxer. This at-home solution for black hair uses lanolin and olive oil to prevent the hair from being damaged by relaxers. Hair becomes more supple, silky, and easy to manage after using olive oil, a natural elixir that increases its elasticity.
Lanolin, a greasy substance, hydrates the hair shafts individually, forming a protective barrier to keep moisture. Smooth, silky locks are yours for the taking with this top-tier professional hair relaxer for black hair. Generally, people with normal or fine hair type can use this product.
Risks Of Using Traditional Relaxers Backed Up By Science
In comparison to moderate use, frequent and long-term use of relaxers, which are hair straightening products based on lye, may raise the risk of breast cancer in Black women. Over 25 years, 59,000 African American women who identified as such participated in the Black Women's Health Study at Boston University. The study surveyed participants every two years to assess their health and to identify any new diagnoses or risk factors.
By incorporating these data into our study, a professional reach team of epidemiologists discovered that Black women who used lye-containing hair products seven times a year for fifteen years or longer had a risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer that was around 30% higher than infrequent users. It is generally comforting to know that there is minimal evidence linking moderate users of hair relaxers (lye or not) to an increased risk of breast cancer. Twenty percent of the study's participants were heavy users of lye-based hair products, which is a worryingly high risk.
The critical need to eliminate racial inequalities in breast cancer makes this matter all the more important. Compared to white women, Black women with a breast cancer diagnosis have a 40% higher mortality rate. Systemic factors, such as slower diagnosis and worse health care, cannot entirely explain the disparity in survival rates between Black and white women.
Scientists still don't understand why Black women have a higher risk of developing aggressive breast cancers, which are associated with a higher mortality rate, compared to white women. On the other hand, research has shown that chemical hair relaxers—which are disproportionately used by Black women—contain chemicals that may increase the risk of cancer by interfering with hormone function or by acting as endocrine disrupters. A whopping 95% of the women surveyed in the Black Women's Health Study said they used these products at some point.
Research like this helps close a gap in our understanding of a product's possible impact on Black women's health. Women should exercise caution when selecting personal care products in light of these results. Our group was unable to identify which components of hair relaxers may be most associated with an increased risk of breast cancer since the Black Women's Health Study did not collect data on individual brands. The results may also not apply to current products as we only asked about hair relaxers used before 1997.
How Samuel’s Science is Different
Samuel’s Science Modern Relaxer has re-built the hair relaxer from the ground up. Our product does not use lye or dangerous chemicals that can lead to cancer and is focused on celebrating natural texture while improving maitenance. With one use, Samuel’s Science only reduces curl for a 3A-3C look. With two uses, Samuel’s Science will render hair straight with some return of texture in 4 months. Learn more about our new take on the perm here.
Reference Links:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/12/black-women-hair-relaxers-chemicals-cancer-risk
https://www.poshbeautyblog.com/hair/2023/3/29/are-hair-relaxer-products-safe-for-black-women-to-use
https://www.byrdie.com/definition-of-relaxer-for-black-hair-400269
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/best-relaxers-for-black-hair/
https://nataliemochinsbeautyblog.com/2023/05/29/lye-vs-no-lye-relaxers/
https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0256-95742019001200011
