Many types of beauty products are today available to people for everyday use. Beauty products exist in many genres, but are mostly categorised based on what part of the body they are used. Thus, we have such products as nail varnishes, skin creams, lip balms, eyeliners hand lotions, hair care products, to mention a few. They are usually available in most retail stores and pharmacies. Of the hair care products, the hair straighteners are the most popular, probably due to their use in creating different styles for the hair. Straightening hair provides a wider range of ways to which hair can be styled.
Many different products are used in the straightening of hair. Two major methods are used in the straightening of hair, and they are heat treatment and chemical treatment methods. Using heat entails the deployment of a blow dryer, hot comb or flat iron. The heat applied removes moisture from hair, and changes the structure of the cuticle, thus removing curls and making hair straight. Chemical treatment methods on the other hand entail the use of creams and lotions commonly known as hair relaxers. They work by inducing relaxation the natural curls present in the hair.
There are two types of hair relaxers available for use today. Alkaline relaxers are mostly based on a strong alkaline agent, though some use ammonium thioglycolate instead. They were discovered sometime in the nineteenth century by Garrett Augustus Morgan, who invented the gas mask and the automatic traffic signal. Just so you know, he was an African American.
He was experimenting with a new lubricant and after a day’s work; he wiped his hands on a wool cloth. The next day, he found the wool smoothened. He then tried it on an Airedale dog and achieved identical results. Finally, he used it on himself and satisfied with the results; he applied for and got the patent for the first chemical hair straightener. He soon founded a hair products company and the hair relaxer was born.
Hair relaxers made from lye are the more common types available presently. Most lye relaxers contain a mixture of sodium hydroxide (lye, but you knew that right?), petroleum jelly, water, emulsifiers and mineral oils. While this has long lasting and dramatic effects, it is quite strong and if not used with the utmost care, could lead to serious hair and scalp damage and loss. A good substitute used is guanidine hydroxide.
While it is less damaging than sodium hydroxide, it has strong effects on hair and scalp requires special care to be taken in its application and use.
Hair relaxers work by entering the protein structure of hair in the cortical layer (cortex, if you will) and breaking up the internal bonds. This causes the natural curls to slacken as the entire fibre engorges.
There are many side effects associated with using relaxers. Since the cortical layer gives hair its strength and elasticity, tampering with its structure makes the hair weak, and prone to damage and breaking. While many combat this with conditioners, the process is actually irreversible. The use of relaxers could also result in burnt and damaged scalp, especially when cooking time is too long.
Cooking is what happens when relaxer is applied to hair and left to process. Over-cooking may cause loss of hair, burnt and damaged scalp. Ugly looks and irritability are also obtainable, so you should beware of people in this condition.
Excessive use of relaxers on hair or over-processing is highly discouraged, as it creates a higher chance of hair loss and damage. Experts believe relaxation should be done every six to eight weeks, depending on the rate of growth and condition of hair. Hair care professionals should be contacted before relaxation and other hair treatments are carried out.
While it is not advisable to carry out hair relaxer treatments at home, if it is going to be done, it should never be carried out alone. There are some parts of the hair which are difficult to reach unless of course if you are a contortionist, and achieving an even spread is next to impossible. Also, a petroleum base (petroleum gel please, not crude oil) should always be applied to protect the scalp from burn and damage. Petroleum gels are designed to melt at body temperature, so they provide a protective barrier between scalp and relaxer. After the hair relaxer has been washed off, a neutralizer should be used, to stop the action of the chemicals and re-establish pH balance.
Having soft, straight hair can be visually and mentally pleasing. To get the desired feel and texture, using hair relaxers is a better substitute to the heat treatment as it is longer lasting and produces better results. Before relaxing though, always consult with your stylist.
