Are no-lye relaxers milder than sodium hydroxide relaxers?

ALL chemical relaxers should be used with extreme caution and strict adherence to the instructions and directions provided by the manufacturer. Sodium hydroxide based relaxers are effective but tend to be faster working and more irritating to the scalp than no-lye relaxers. However, no-lye relaxers, while not asfast working, do tend to be less irritating. Unless they have built in conditioners like Gentle Treatment has, many relaxer users report that their hair is not as shiny with no-lye relaxers.

Why is gray hair so hard to color?

When applying any hair color product, the easiest way to understand the process is by equation: The color you start with + the color you add = the color you get. Gray hair (white hair) has no contributing color to add to the equation so it starts the process deficient. To get great coverage, most home users apply very dark shades. Remember, if you want a medium or light shade you will need to add a "neutral" shade to the color formula to compensate for what is missing from the gray hair. Seek professional assistance if you are not sure.

How often should I use a relaxer?

The first time you use a relaxer, it should be applied from the scalp area to the ends of your hair. Every time after that first, virgin application, the relaxer should only be applied to the newly grown in hair. Depending on your wave pattern and how fast your hair grows, you should retouch no sooner that 6 weeks but on average around 8 - 10 weeks is normal.

I have relaxed hair. How often should I wash my hair?

The primary purpose of shampooing is hygienic cleansing to remove bacteria that can create scalp problems and to remove odors. Your cleansing regimen depends upon a few variables: your length of hair, hairstyle and physical activity. Shampoo and thoroughly rinse when your scalp has accumulated sweat, you have been in a smoky or dusty environment, or when you want to refresh your style. Always condition following your shampoo.

Can I use a relaxer of any strength?

Check your instruction sheet first. The same ingredients in "super" are in "regular", but with super strength. Super is formulated to penetrate faster for coarser, more resistant hair. Fragile, fine or thinning hair needs the least amount of contact time and manipulation, so never use "super" for this type of hair! Time of application and smoothing are the determining factors as to whether you should do your own application or get help from a friend or professional. If you have permanent hair color, you need a qualified salon professional to apply your relaxer treatments to avoid overlapping and breakage.

Can I replace the maintenance products in the relaxer kit with others?

The day of you relaxer treatment, keep it together! Use the items provided in the kit or the items recommended on the instruction sheet for optimal results. The components have been tested and designed to work to together specifically post relaxer. Trying substitutions are best when shampooing between relaxer services.

How does a relaxer work?

Relaxer cream is designed to soften the hair strands which are every degree of curl configuration. Once softened, the strands can be manipulated or "smoothed" into a less tight curl configuration. "Texturizing" is the process when relaxer is applied for less time and, while combing or smoothing, just a bit of curliness is removed. Hair is considered "relaxed" when more curliness is removed and a nearly straight configuration is achieved.

Can I remove a relaxer from my hair?

Some people call a relaxer a "perm". This phrase came from the original classification of relaxers–permanent cream relaxer. That means a permanent cream relaxer is a permanent process and cannot be removed, stripped or reverted.

What kind of hair color is safe to use after I have relaxed my hair?

Use a "right out of the bottle", no-mix color formula, after reading the manufacturer's directions. These tend to be classified as semi-permanent or temporary colors. Powder colors that are mixed with water and tube or bottle colors that require mixing before use are normally permanent and should never be used on the same day as the relaxer application.

Is brushing good for the hair?

Brushing with pure, boar bristle brushes can be good for healthy hair. If your hair is breaking, splitting, thinning or other wise shedding or damaged–BE GENTLE! Do not add extra stress. Use your fingers to detangle before combing with a large tooth comb and save the brush for later.

What makes a good flat iron?

The most important features to look for in a flat iron are: Temperature consistency, fast heat up, warranty (at least 1 year), digital thermostat- (so you can see the temperature variations) and ceramic plates, which tend to create "drag" on the hair so the strands are more polished and smoother.