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The Dangers of Hair Relaxers
Hair Relaxers are generally used to straighten tightly curled hair and there are two main types:
- Lye Relaxers
- No Lye Relaxers
No Lye relaxers are a milder form of Lye relaxers, however both contain the chemical ingredient Sodium Hydroxide which is also used in various other cleaning detergents. It can easily dissolve through surfaces like fabric, plastic and even the skin. When it seeps through the hair, it breaks the natural bonds that are meant to protect the hair, altering its natural structure. Hair relaxers generally have a PH ranging from 11 – 14 and can easily be described as corrosive as they will either destroy or damage another substance it comes into contact with. Human hair has a PH level of about 4.5-5.5 and after a relaxer has been placed on the hair, a neutraliser is applied. Neutralisers generally have a PH 3 and it is designed to bring the hair back to its acidic range after a relaxer has been used, but this does not make any difference. Once the hair has been straightened it cannot be reversed as the hair follicles are permanently damaged which results in weakened or damaged hair. Breakage can occur when the chemical bonds in the hair are broken. This happens especially in the case of hair that is already damaged or a relaxer that has been applied wrongly.
Continual use of a relaxer can cause alopecia where hair follicles are damaged beyond repair or completely wiped out. This can lead to one being completely bald. Hence why you have many middle aged black women covering their loss with weaves and wigs. I’ve come across many of them in the hair salons and it’s certainly not a pretty sight.
Though the chemicals found in Relaxers, aren't as concentrated enough to "disintegrate" your hair as they would in drain systems but they are concentrated enough to make your hair actually FALL OUT, but not only does sodium Hydroxide have the potential to permanently damage your hair follicles, research has shown that breathing in this toxic chemical can also damage the lungs. ATSDR the Agency for toxic substances and disease registry states:
“Sodium hydroxide is very corrosive and can cause severe burns in all tissues that come in contact with it. Inhalation of low levels of sodium hydroxide as dusts, mists or aerosols may cause irritation of the nose, throat, and respiratory airways. Inhalation of higher levels can produce swelling or spasms of the upper airway leading to obstruction and loss of measurable pulse; inflammation of the lungs and accumulation of fluid in the lungs may also occur.”
