How Much Base Should You Put on the Scalp Before Using a Relaxer?

Relaxers Are Caustic

It takes strong chemicals to turn your kinky, curly hair into straight hair. If the chemicals in relaxers are powerful enough to change the protein structure of your hair, imagine what they can do to your sensitive scalp. Using a protective base cream all over your scalp can prevent chemicals from touching it and burning it.

The Relaxer Needs to Penetrate the Hair Shaft

Getting too much petroleum basing cream on the hair can make it difficult for the relaxer to penetrate the hair shaft. Though you want to protect your scalp from burns, using too much base cream will make it inevitable that a good amount will get on your hair, making the relaxer somewhat less effective.

Bottom Line

Use as much base cream as you feel necessary to protect your scalp during the relaxing process. Some women have more sensitive scalps than others, so only you know how much base your scalp needs. If your scalp burns easily, it is better to err on the side of caution and apply too much base rather than to apply too little and endure chemical burns.

References

• Beyond Jane: How to Use a Relaxer on a Sensitive Scalp and Coarse Hair?