How to Apply a Hair Relaxer

Trying to relax curly, kinky or coily hair can be a challenge but is not impossible. If your goal is achieve a straighter look or just to relax a curl, read on to learn how to apply hair relaxer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Hair Relaxer Crème
• Petroleum-based Hair Protectant
• Towels
• Neutralizing Shampoo
• Conditioning Shampoo
• Rattail Comb
• Deep Conditioner

1. Check the scalp for any cuts or scratches before applying hair relaxer. If these exist, wait until they are healed before proceeding. Part the hair into four sections, from the front to the back and from side to side (ear to ear). Clip off each section with a holder.
2. Apply a petroleum-based protectant to the scalp on all four sections. This will keep the hair relaxer from burning the scalp if it touches it.
3. Work the relaxer through the hair starting with the base sections (back two). Apply the relaxer crème starting at the nape of the neck and work upward through the sections one at a time using the back of the rattail comb. Go from one side to the other side in the back then move from one side to the other side in the front.
4. Comb back through each section of the hair again, parting in small sections and tug the teeth of the comb slightly through the hair giving it a little pull to help the crème loosen the curl.
5. Wash the crème relaxer out of the hair thoroughly by using a strong force of warm water. Rinse until all traces of white crème disappears. Wash the hair again, minimum twice, with the neutralizing shampoo. This brings the hair back to a normal PH balance.
6. Treat the hair again with the conditioning shampoo. Apply the deep conditioner and let it sit on the hair for at least ten minutes. For ultra-deep conditioning, put a plastic shower cap over the hair.
7. Rinse the conditioner from the hair using a strong stream of cool (not warm) water until there is no trace of the conditioner. Apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair and style as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Here are suggested application times: 11 to 13 minutes for fine hair, 13 to 18 minutes for medium hair and 18 to 25 minutes for super curly or coarse hair.
• Rinsing the conditioner away in cool water will seal the hair cuticles.
• Do not apply relaxer to scalp but to the new growth on the hair only.
• Do not apply the relaxer to the ends of the previously-relaxed hair.