Ph of relaxer Understanding how a relaxer works
Your hair is made of sulfur and protein. That's what gives the hair it's strength and shape. The disulfide bonds are broken when a relaxer is applied making the once curly/coils straighten.
Understanding Lye vs. No-lye.
Lye relaxers have naturally higher ph's than no-lye relaxers and this is why most of them are only available to professional stylists. No-lye relaxers ph are normally lower and you can buy them at your local grocery store or wal-mart. No-lye relaxers main chemical compound can either be guanidine, lithium, or potassium hydroxide. Lye realxer's main compound sodium hydroxide.
relaxer ph Information.
The pH balance determines how harsh the chemical is. Research has shown that the lower the pH, the less damaging the product is to your hair. Water has a pH of 7. Anything less than 7 is considered acidic. The lower this number gets the greater the acidity. Any pH greater than 7 is considered alkaline. The higher the number gets the greater the alkalinity.
The importance of a neutralizer cannot be stressed enough. It is needed to stop the processing of the relaxer. It should be left in the hair for a minimum of 5 minutes. It takes at least that long for the active ingredients of the neutralizer to penetrate all three layers of the hair shaft and bring the pH of the hair down to normal. If the neutralizing shampoo is rinsed from the hair too soon, the neutralizing action may stop while the pH of the relaxer is still in a high alkaline state. This can cause breakage and shedding because some of the relaxer’s active ingredients are still in the inner-hair causing rapid deterioration. If your hair was in good condition prior to relaxing, and then starts to break or shed after the relaxer treatment, this is probably due to improper neutralizing.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some of the most popular relaxers. Contact me if you would like to add one to the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------
- TCB Bone Strait No-Lye Relaxer contains lithium hydroxide: 12.8
- Revlon Realistic Extra Conditioning Crème Relaxer System contains sodium hydroxide: 13.2
- Gentle Treatment No-lye Conditioning Crème Relaxer contains lithium hydroxide, guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.0
- Soft and Beautiful No-lye Conditioning Relaxer Regular contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.1
- Curl Free Natural Curl Relaxer contains ammonium bisulfite: 7.6
- Dark & Lovely No-lye Conditioning Relaxer System contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.0
- Revlon Crème of Nature No-lye Crème Relaxer System contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.1
- African Pride Miracle Deep Conditioning No-lye Relaxer System contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.3
- Soft Sheen Alternatives No-lye Relaxer System contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.3
- Optimum Care No-Lye Relaxer guanidine contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.2
- Rusk Radical Anti-curl Original Formula 1 contains Ammonium thioglycolate: 9.1
- Revlon Realistic Crème Relaxer System 1 contains sodium hydroxide: 13.3
The following relaxer pHs were taken from, "Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me" by Paula Begoun.
- At One with Nature Botanical Strongends Sensitive Scalp Relaxer, Regular w/ Herbs and Moisturizers: 14
- Dark & Lovely Beautiful Beginnings No-mistake No-lye Children's Relaxer System Regular: 13
- Dark & Lovely Plus Ultra-Deep Conditioning No-Lye Relaxer System: 12
- Luster's Pink Conditioning Super No-lye Crème Relaxer: 14
- Raveen No-Lye Conditioning Crème Relaxer with Multiple Conditioners: 14
- Revlon Crème of Nature No-Lye Crème Relaxer System: 13
- Revlon Fabulaxer Multiple Conditioning No-lye Relaxer Kit: 13
- Soft & Beautiful Just for Me No-Lye Conditioning Crème Relaxer, Children's Formula: 14
- Soft & Beautiful Super No-lye ConditioningRelaxer: 14
- TCB Naturals No-Lye Relaxer, Regular with Olive Oil, Aloe and Henna: 14
Black hair basics: Articles and tips
Choosing The Right Relaxer- Learn how to choose
Black Hair Relaxer Tips- Not using the right relaxing method can cause you costly mistakes.
Your Hair Type- Four basic hair types, which one are you?
Moisturizer Basics- Moisture, moisture, moisture! Our hair can't live without it!
Neutralizing Tips- Neutralizing steps and secrets you probably are not doing.
Hair Regime- Planning a hair regime that's right for you.
Return from Choosing The Right Relaxer to All-Hair-Info Home
Choosing the right relaxer is important part of our hair health and maintenance. Most people don't take relaxing seriously and that is one of the mistakes we make when we relax. You must never forget the hair relaxer is a chemical and choosing the right relaxer and applying the right technique is important. The main key point in choosing a relaxer is choosing one that will do the least damage.