Page Header Page Content Page Footer
Enable Javascript
  • Part of the P&G family
  • Pantene
  • Herbal Essences
  • Aussie
  • Olay
USA - English
Please select a location
  • North America
  • USA - English
  • USA - Español
  • Canada - English
  • Canada - Français
  • Latin America
  • Español
  • Português
  • Asia
  • 中文
  • India - English
  • Indonesia - Bahasa Indonesia
  • 日本語
  • Pakistan - English
  • Philippines - English
  • ไทย
  • Tiếng Việt
  • Australia & New Zealand - English
  • Europe
  • English
  • Deutsch
  • Français
  • русский
  • Italiano
  • Español
  • Nederlands
  • Polska
  • Português
  • Limba Română
  • Vlaams
  • Middle East
  • الجزائر
  • Français
  • English
  • עברי
  • Türkçe
  • South Africa - English
Contact Us
Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo
Go
  • Shop Products
    • Daily Scalp &
      Hair Care
      • Daily Scalp and Hair Care
      • Shop by Person
    • For Him
      • Products for Men
      • Shop by Hair Concern
    • For Her
      • Products for Women
      • Shop by Hair Concern
    • Royal Oils
      • Royal Oils Collection
      • Shop by Scalp Concern
    • Shop by Type
      • Dandruff Shampoo
      • Dandruff 2-in-1
      • Dandruff Conditioner
      • Dandruff Treatment
    • View All Products
  • SCALP CARE
    • Dandruff
      • Dandruff
      • See All Articles
    • Itchy, Dry & Sensitive Scalp
      • See All Articles
    • Severe Scalp Conditions
      • See All Articles
  • Hair
    • Hair Care
      • Hair Care
      • See All Articles
    • For Her
      • Hair Care
      • Learn More
    • For Him
      • Hair Care
      • Learn More
  • What's New
  • About
  • Home |
  • Healthy Hair & Scalp |
  • Hair Care |
  • Are Relaxers Safe To Use?
Print This

Are Relaxers Safe To Use?

Recommended 1 Recommend This
Share fb_icon_article twitter

YOU'RE NOW LEAVING HEADANDSHOULDERS.COM

We recommend you to review the third-party site’s privacy policy, as their privacy practices may differ from P&G.

Any personal information you provide on the third-party’s website will be managed in accordance with their privacy policy.

Share on

EMAIL THISmail

Share This By E-Mail

Are Relaxers Safe To Use?

There are # error(s) on this page.
Email Service Unavailable
   
   
   
   
Send
CANCEL

E-MAIL SENT SUCCESSFULLY

Your email has been successfully sent to the recipent.

Continue

Chemical hair relaxers are widely used to permanently tame stubborn curls. But how safe are they, really?

Before discussing whether hair relaxers are safe for you to use, it’s a good idea to learn a bit more about them first.

How do relaxers work?

Hair relaxers are designed to straighten curls that resist other straightening methods. This means that they need to be pretty powerful.

Relaxers work by breaking the di-sulfide bonds deep inside every hair fiber, and re-forming them while the hair is being held in a straight pattern. They literally reshape the very fibers of your hair.

Problems relaxing

The chemicals needed to relax your hair have to be strong to work. That means that they come with their own dangers.

It’s easy for the chemicals that penetrate your hair to damage its cuticle structure, leading to brittle hair. The reshaping of your hair’s disulfide bonds can also lead to a weakening of the strand.

You also must be extremely careful to prevent scalp irritation, since the three main chemicals used in relaxers - sodium hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate, and sodium thioglycolate - are all notorious skin irritants. They could cause stinging, redness or even chemical burns.

Woman with curly afro hair

Using relaxers safely

Any time you relax your hair you’re exposing yourself to powerful chemicals that can be damaging.

But by following some smart tips, you can help prevent scalp and hair issues:

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s usage instructions
  • Start with a healthy scalp: get rid of dandruff before using relaxers
  • Never use relaxer on freshly-washed hair: your natural scalp oils help protect your skin from chemicals
  • Avoid relaxer contact with the scalp- consider applying a protective base to the scalp as an extra barrier between the chemicals and your skin.
  • Don’t relax sections of the hair that have already been straightened once (no overlap)

After using a relaxer, make sure that you wash your hair thoroughly with a nourishing shampoo or co-wash, designed to give your hair and scalp the moisture they need. Follow these tips and you can keep your scalp and hair protected and moisturized, while enjoying straight, beautiful locks.

Related Products

  • Head and Shoulders Supreme Soothe & Strengthen Hair & Scalp Shampoo, 11.8 fl oz
    Quick View

    Supreme Nourish & Smooth Hair & Scalp Shampoo

    Rating Stars Off
    Rating Stars On
    ( 27 )
    $8.99 MSRP
    Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
  • Head and Shoulders Supreme Soothe & Strengthen Hair & Scalp Conditioner, 9.4 fl oz
    Quick View

    Supreme Nourish & Smooth Hair & Scalp Conditioner

    Rating Stars Off
    Rating Stars On
    ( 133 )
    $8.99 MSRP
    Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
  • Head and Shoulders Supreme Nourishing Scalp & Hair Mask, 1.6 fl oz
    Quick View

    Supreme Nourishing Scalp & Hair Mask

    Rating Stars Off
    Rating Stars On
    ( 94 )
    $2.99 MSRP
    Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

Related Articles

CAN YOU USE RELAXERS IF YOU HAVE DANDRUFF?

RELAXERS AND A HEALTHY SCALP – YOUR GUIDE

How To Use Hair Relaxer

  • Connect With Us
  • Connect with us on Instagram
  • Connect with us on YouTube
  • Connect with us on Facebook
  • Connect with us on Twitter
  • Shop Products
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • 2-in-1
  • Treatment
  • Shop All Products
  • About
  • About H&S
  • Sustainability
  • FAQ
  • Seborrheic Dermatitis
  • Itchy Scalp
  • Coupons & Offers
  • Head & Shoulders Coupons
  • HELP & SUPPORT
  • Contact Us
  • Smart Label For ingredients and more, select a product.
  • Collections
  • Men Styling
  • Supreme
  • Classic Clean
  • Full & Thick
  • Dry Scalp Care
  • Moisture Care
  • Green Apple
  • Ocean Lift
  • Instant Oil Control
  • Old Spice
  • Instant Relief
  • Purely Gentle
  • Instant Fresh
  • Refresh
  • Instant Hydration
  • Smooth & Silky
  • Clinical Strength
  • Nourishing Hair & Scalp Care
  • Itchy Scalp Care
  • Related P&G Products:
  • Pantene
  • |
  • Herbal Essences
  • |
  • Aussie
  • |
  • Olay
    • BBB
  • Privacy
  • CA Privacy
  • Site Map
  • AdChoices ad choice
  • Terms & Conditions
  • © 2021 Procter & Gamble
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Scalp AnalysisArrow
Scalp analysis
Sunday Haircare Routine