How to Treat Relaxer Burns

Hair relaxers take naturally curly hair to straight with the use of harsh chemicals.

Hair relaxers use strong chemicals to change the curl pattern deep inside the shaft of your hair. If these chemicals are left on the scalp for too long, your scalp may suffer a chemical burn. The severity of the burn depends on how long the hair relaxer is left on your head. Signs of a chemical burn are an itching or burning sensation on your scalp. To treat a chemical burn on your scalp, you must have patience to let the burn heal without inflicting any further damage.

Things You'll Need

• Vaseline or aloe
• Gentle shampoo
• Deep moisturizing hair conditioner

Instructions

1. Allow your burn to dry and scab. Resist the urge to itch the burn, touch it, comb it or wash it right away. Initially, it's best to let it dry and allow the skin to scab over. Do not pick at scabs, allow them to fall off naturally.

2. Use a gentle shampoo followed by a deep moisturizing conditioner after your scalp has dried. When massaging the shampoo and conditioner in to your hair, avoid using your nails on your scalp. Instead, use the pads of your finger tips to gently massage the products into your hair.

3. Do not apply any heat to your hair such as a blow dryer or a flat iron. Allow wet hair to air dry.

4. Apply Vaseline or aloe, in between washings, to the area of your scab to help with the urge to itch it. This also helps to keep the area of the head moisturized and will facilitate your scabs falling off easily.

5. Do not use any products that contain alcohol. They will irritate the burn. Comb your hair very gently for the few weeks it will take for the burn to heal.

Tips & Warnings

• See your doctor for severe burns that cover large areas of your scalp.

References

• Skin Biology: Truth About Hair Relaxers

Resources

• You Tube: How to Treat a Chemical Relaxer Burn
• Long Healthy Hair Advisor: Tips to Avoid Scalp Burning During Relaxer Touch-Ups