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Victor, I am trying to find out about hair relaxers (chemical). I have seen, on the board, several messages for and against this procedure. A friend said that I can get a "reverse perm" for my uncontrollable curly hair...I have never heard anything about that. So, would appreciate any articles, links or other info you can provide...thanks.
A hair relaxer is no different from the chemical used in a permanent. It functions by sort of loosening up the bonds within the hair shaft. The make hair straight, it is held straight, or placed on large rollers while the hair sets. To make it curly, the hair is rolled on small rollers and/or twisted. In either case, there is likely to be some damage to the hair, although today's chemicals are not as bad as they used to be from what I understand.
Ain't necessarily so.
From what I read, there are two kinds of relaxer chemicals. One type is just about the same as a perm, maybe identical. Difference is that instead of little curlers, you set the hair onto big rollers or even flat "shapers." You can even just GENTLY comb it straight while processing. You neutralize, just as a perm, to finish and "lock" the shape.
BUT, there is another class of chemical relaxers that is just plain caustic. You generally use these with a protective coating of petroleum jelly, to protect your scalp, while you straighten your hair. These systems don't use neutralizer, you just rinse them out after they work. Typically, they are a thick cream that you apply and comb thru for about 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse out.
I used this stuff about 30 yrs ago. Never again. I wanted a smooth bob and almost got a "chemical haircut" instead. Months later, my hair still had the wet-strength of cooked spaghetti.
About a year later, I saw a "men's hairstylist" giving this treatment to a guy sitting next to me. He looked at my wild mop and suggested I get the same thing done. I left and went to a "unisex" salon where the young lady did a fine job. She trimmed my bob and blew it out very smooth, no chemicals at all.
BTW, the same stuff is still on the market. If the system requires a coat of grease to protect the scalp, I would think twice.