Does Relaxer Make Your Hair Fall Out?

If you are wondering if a relaxer can make your hair fall out, you have a common concern. Ask any woman who gets one on a regular basis and she can tell you a horror story. However, the story usually surrounds one of three things: improper application, high concentrations of lye, overuse of relaxers and weak hair. All of these things lead to hair falling out in regards to relaxers. Without them, a woman getting this kind of hair treatment would have no problem.

Prevention/Solution

The improper application of a relaxer can lead to hair falling out. When does this occur? It occurs when a relaxer is left in too long or applied right after a dye job. Both of these things put extra stress on the hair follicles leading to breakage or fall out. So, it is important to note that no relaxer should be left on your hair for more than 15 minutes or applied within two weeks of a dye job. Any beautician who tries to convince you otherwise doesn't care about the health of your hair.

Prevention/Solution

What is the main reason a woman's hair falls out after she uses a relaxer? High concentrations are often the common culprit. You find them in relaxers labeled as "super." Women with extremely coarse or kinky hair will use these kinds of relaxers with the hopes of getting really straight hair. The only problem is that the lye in "super" relaxers are so concentrated that they result in scalp burns and damage to hair follicles. So, a better solution for anyone tempted use one of these types of relaxers is to go with a milder one and to increase the smoothing process. It will result in extremely straight hair without any damage.

Prevention/Solution

Another reason why a woman's hair will fall out because of a relaxer is overuse. Overuse occurs when a relaxer is put on the same person's hair too close to the last time a relaxer was put in. In general, 30 days should lapse between the re-application of a new relaxer. If it doesn't, the hair becomes over processed and eventually starts to break off or fall out. For this reason, it is important for anyone who gets a relaxer to wait the appropriate amount of time before getting a new one.

Prevention/Solution

The final cause of hair loss for women who uses relaxers is weak hair. Weak hair is thin, brittle and prone to breakage in its natural state. As a result, when a relaxer is applied to it, the extra stress immediately damages the hair follicles resulting in hair loss. If you fall into this category, it's best not to get a relaxer. Try other straightening processes that won't damage your hair or work with your natural curls.

Considerations

Now that you know the three main causes of hair loss in regards to relaxers, it's important to consider how to get one. If you have never gotten a relaxer or aren't good at doing your own hair, you should seek the help of a professional. A beautician with an excellent reputation can assess your hair and apply a relaxer properly. The money you pay for her service will be worth it, because you'll end up with healthy straight hair that won't fall out.

Resources

• eHow article "How to Apply a Hair Relaxer"
• eHow article "How to Remove a Relaxer"
• eHow article "How to Pick a Hair Relaxer"