How to Remove a Relaxer

Relaxers work through the use of an alkaline agent (lye or a weaker non-lye based formula) to altar your hair by slowly, but carefully, damaging it. Removing a hair relaxer isn't the difficult part; keeping your scalp burn free and your hair healthy is. Follow these steps to remove your relaxer while also protecting your hair and scalp.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Neutralizing shampoo or neutralizing and conditioning shampoo
• Conditioner

1. Follow the instructions that came with your relaxer in regards to how long you should leave it on your hair. All relaxers--especially high alkaline lye-based relaxers--can cause scalp irritation and burns. Even if you have used petroleum jelly to protect your scalp, still follow the manufacturer's instructions, as leaving a relaxer on the hair too long can strip it of natural oils and cause it to become brittle or break off.

2. Wash your hair with a neutralizing shampoo or a combination neutralizing and conditioning shampoo such as those found at Sally Beauty Supply (follow Resources link). Neutralizing shampoos "neutralize" or cancel out the alkaline properties of active agents in relaxers. Neutralizing and conditioning shampoos, as their title suggest, condition the hair while neutralizing the alkaline agents.

3. Rinse your hair thoroughly. Even a small amount of leftover relaxer left can cause damage to the hair shaft.

4. Condition your hair immediately after rinsing, if you did not use a combination shampoo, and regularly afterward whenever you wash it.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear gloves when working with and removing relaxers. Although this may seem like common sense, many people forget about the high alkalinity of relaxers when shampooing and rinsing relaxed hair.

Resources

• Find neutralizing shampoos at Sally Beauty Supply.