How to Use Hair Dye and Hair Relaxers Safely

Hair dye colors hair. Hair relaxers straighten hair. Both hair relaxers and hair dye can damage hair, skin and eyes, especially if used improperly. Failure to use dye correctly can cause hair loss, burning, itchy or raw skin, redness, swelling in the face and trouble breathing. Relaxer can burn your skin and scalp. Follow the steps to use hair dye and relaxers safely.

Instructions

Hair Dye

1. Follow the directions on the box. Pay attention to all warning or caution statements.

2. Test on a patch of skin before using dye on hair. Rub a small amount of dye on the inside of an elbow or behind an ear. Keep it there for two days. Don't use the dye on your hair if you get a rash. Repeat the test each time you color your hair. Salons also should do the strand test.

3. Keep dye away from your eyelashes and eyebrows to prevent hurting your eyes.

4. Keep hair dye away from children.

5. Follow directions regarding application time limits.

6. Wash your scalp well with water.

7. Use gloves while applying the dye.

Hair Relaxer

1. Remove the relaxer within the time limits.

2. Wash your hair with neutralizing shampoo. Use conditioner frequently after relaxing hair.

3. Use extra caution when relaxing children's hair. Put hair relaxers out of children's reach to prevent them from playing with the products.

4. Get help with relaxing hair to ensure you cover your head evenly and rinse all of the relaxer from places you can't see.

5. Put petroleum jelly on your scalp before applying relaxer to protect your scalp.

6. Straightening too frequently can damage hair. Get your hairdresser's advice, because different products have different directions. Every six to eight weeks is the norm. Check the product's directions. The frequency of relaxing depends on your hair, especially how fast your hair grows.

Tips & Warnings

• Select a semi-permanent dye instead of a permanent dye if you plan to color relaxed hair.

• If you do not use both relaxer and hair dye, you are less likely to damage your hair.

• Talk to a hairdresser or read product instructions because different relaxers give different directions. Realize that some relaxers should only be used when you do not have die on your hair.

• Dye can cause blindness. The FDA prohibits using hair dyes on eyebrows and eyelashes.

• Avoid mixing different hair dyes to prevent damage to hair and scalp.

• Blow drying and curling can also damage your hair.

• Even "no-lye" relaxer can be harmful if used incorrectly.

• Avoid brushing your hair or scratching your head before using a relaxer.