If you are confused about choosing the best relaxer for coarse hair, then the following article is for you. Read on to know more.
As the term suggests, hair relaxer is a product which is used for relaxing tresses. People with naturally curly hair can relax their mane with the help of various alkali-based products. However, some products are also made using chemicals like ammonium thioglycolate. The process of hair relaxing is also called lanthionization and it can be performed at a professional salon or even at home. Those of you who are new to this concept and want to use a relaxer for coarse and curly hair must have various questions in mind about the whole process.
Types of Relaxers
There are three basic types of hair relaxers based on the ingredients. These types are: lye based, non-lye based, and natural. Lye based (sodium hydroxide) products are usually effective, but hypoallergenic people may face problems like scalp irritation and burning. These products are easy to apply as well. The non-lye based products come with guanidine hydroxide and are preferred by those who want a gentler type of relaxer.
These come in a kit that consists of a cream, neutralizing shampoo, activator solution, conditioner, spatula stick, and hand gloves. These are effective, but some customers complain about dry and dull hair. On the basis of effectiveness and quick results, many customers prefer to choose lye based products, but if you consider the long term effects of it on your hair, it is always better to opt for natural products for coarse hair that are already damaged by chemicals.
How to Choose
Now that you are aware of all the three types of relaxers, you can easily pick the best one. It is generally recommended that one should always choose the home hair relaxer kits that are made especially for coarse hair. Strength of these products varies from mild to super, on the basis of curliness and coarseness of the hair. Super is the best strength to choose if you have really coarse hair. If you have thick tresses, then it is better to opt for lye based products. Lye is the best product to break the tough bonds that cause curly hair. If you want to stick to the natural approach for straightening your hair, then it is better to opt for non-lye products. Along with the basic ingredients (lye/non-lye), you also need to check for the rest of the ingredients and see whether they will provide the conditioning required after the treatment, like essential oils.
How to Apply
Choosing the best relaxer for black and coarse hair is useless until you learn the best way of its application. As you know by now, relaxers are made of harsh chemicals that might cause potential damage to the texture of your hair as well as to your scalp. This is the reason why you need to carry a few hair care drills before you actually begin the process of relaxing.
You can rely on the home care techniques, like hot oil treatment, that act as a barrier between the chemicals in the relaxer and the skin of your scalp. However, if you have an oily scalp, it would be better to opt for pre-relaxer products that are included in most of the hair relaxer kits. You can add a few tablespoons of olive oil to them before the application. You need to apply the relaxer and keep it on for the duration which is mentioned on the pack. Once you wash it out, use a neutralizing shampoo and wash them again. After that, deep condition your hair.
Good Products
Now that you know how to relax your hair, you need to go through market reviews of the best brands. Products like Dark & Lovely Super, Mizani Relaxer for Coarse Hair, Phytospecific Phytorelaxer Index 2, Affirm by Avon, Optimum Relaxer, Optimum Care Advanced Technology Conditioning No-Lye Relaxer System, Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Built-In Protection No Lye Relaxer System (Extra Strength), Naturalaxer Kit-In-A-Jar is an organic natural product, etc. are some of the best products that are available on the market. If you are interested in natural products that are available at home, then you may opt for olive oil, lemon juice, coconut cream, honey, milk, cocoa butter, and such other options. However, remember that homemade relaxers might simply soften your hair for a shorter period of time.
If you are not satisfied with the reviews and are not sure about using chemical hair straighteners, then you can also opt for heat activated hair straighteners that offer quick results.
