How to Apply Relaxer to Hair
Most black women use relaxers, also known as straightening perms, to manage their hair. A straightening perm is an alkaline solution featuring calcium or sodium hydroxide. When applied to hair, it permanently alters the hair's texture by damaging its protein structure. Hair relaxation has a formal name, too; it's "lanthionization." Any salon should be able to provide you a relaxer treatment, but feel free to do it at home on your own, as long as you know what you're doing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Find the right relaxer for you. There are two types of perms: lye perms and no-lye perms. Select no-lye perms if your scalp is sensitive. Choose lye relaxers if your hair is very dry but your scalp is not sensitive.
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Apply oil to the hairline and nape of the neck. The oil serves as a layer of protection between your scalp and the chemicals, so put it anywhere else that might touch the chemicals.
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Apply pre-relaxer treatment to the hair. Basing oils protect the skin and scalp while pre-relaxer treatments protect the hair. Pre-relaxer treatments also prevent breakage, overdrying, hair loss and over-processing.
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Apply relaxer to the new growth with a relaxer brush. Do not let the relaxer touch previously relaxed hair since doing so can overprocess it. If this perm is your first, however, apply relaxer to the entire hair. Leave it in for 20 to 25 minutes.
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Wash hair with a neutralizing shampoo, which the relaxer kit should contain. Thoroughly massage the scalp to remove all relaxer residue, which can irritate skin and scalp. Use a deep conditioner afterward.
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Touch up every eight to 12 weeks. A touch-up is the sole application of relaxer to new growth. Avoid getting touch-ups more frequently, since doing so can weaken the hair. Because perms are drying, frequently moisturize post-relaxer hair.
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