Cons of Chemical Relaxers for African-Americans

Tom Joyner's Black America Web gives credit to Garrett Augustus Morgan for creating the first hair relaxer in the 19th century. Morgan discovered that it is possible to change the essential structure of the hair shaft, meaning that black hair has the ability to transform from a course curliness to a more manageable grade. Since then, literally millions of African-Americans use the chemical in hopes of obtaining smooth and silky hair.

Hair Growth

Can hair growth be accomplished through a pill despite hair damage? pills image by Karol Grzegorek from Fotolia.com

African-American women are known for having thick hair. Whether it is short or long, cotton-like thickness is the hair's trademark. The dilemma with thick hair, however, is that it's difficult to style. Curls tend to unravel into a mass of hair, and straight back hairdos tend to gravitate to a more circular shape. To correct this, black women turn to relaxers. The hair relaxer is efficient at making hair more styleable, but it can often come with the sacrifice of hair growth. According to Beauty Brains, an online source created and maintained by cosmetic scientists, because relaxers degrade hair proteins, it causes hair damage that leads to breakage or permanent hair loss. This fact is why African-American women fail to maintain long, healthy hair while using the chemical relaxer.

Scalp Damage

Hair left in combs and brushes is a common problem. brushes and combs image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com

Black Hair Planet magazine released a blog about a relaxer burn experience in June of 2009. The blog became popular because of the article's relevance. A relaxer burn is usually the first step in the scalp damage process. Hair straighteners are created to be used along the roots of the hair only. The chemical coming into contact with the scalp has such adverse reactions, that all manufacturers provide a warning with each product. To make sure the scalp is protected, professional hairdressers typically apply a base, such as petroleum jelly, to reduce the chance of skin irritation. When the base is not used or proves to be ineffective, the scalp becomes irritated, which is signaled by a tingling sensation that can lead to intense burning. If the scalp was burned, 24 hours after the treatment has been rinsed out of the hair, the area of skin will develop a scab. Scratching or using the wrong relief products opens the scabs, causing infection to begin. Temporary bald spots and long-lasting irritated wounds are just two of the side effects of scalp damage.

Thinning Hair

Many black women have to use both a relaxer and a weave. sexy black woman image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com

Mischo, a Spelman graduate with a degree in chemistry and licensed in cosmetology, states that thinning hair near the scalp comes from improper application or overlapping relaxer treatments. Not surprisingly, most of the black women with straight hair that lays sickly thin against their scalps are the same women who chose at-home box kit relaxers. These relaxers can be up to $70 cheaper than a chemical process at a salon. To correct the look of thinning hair, weaves can be used; it's important to note, however, that this is a temporary solution that has no significance in bringing back the natural fullness of hair.

Pregnancy Dangers

In 1999 the American Journal of Epidemiology released a publication that began with, "Several studies suggest that toxic chemicals in hair products may be absorbed through the scalp in sufficient amounts to increase the risks of adverse health effects in women or their infants." Some of the effects are low birth rate and premature delivery. The studies were on black women and the effects their hair relaxers might have on their unborn babies. Sodium hydroxide, ammonium, and formaldehyde are just a few named chemical ingredients that can penetrate the scalp skin and enter the body of the mother and unborn baby. Outside of straightening hair, these same chemicals are used as drain cleaners, household cleansers, and embalming fluid.

References

• Black America Web News: Little-Known Black History Fact: Hair Relaxer
• Black Hair Planet: Treating Relaxer Burns
• Mischo Beauty: Hair School, Relaxers & Thinning/Breakage 101
• American Journal of Epidemiology: Chemical Hair Treatments and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Among Black Women in Central North Carolina
• The Beauty Brains: Flat Iron or Relaxing--Which Damages Your Hair More