Texturizers and relaxers are the chemical straightening products, most commonly used for styling black hair. A hair texturizer is a milder form of relaxer. Alternatively, a relaxer is a very strong texturizer. Not clear? Read through this HairGlamourista article to get acquainted with the key differences between the two.
| Constant usage of relaxers and texturizers may end up giving hair problems like thinning and damaging your hair, causing scalp irritation, and more adversely, lead to permanent hair loss. So, it is advisable to use Natural Relaxers like: ➜ Olive Oil ➜ Coconut Cream ➜ Cocoa Butter ➜ Honey |
Yeah, natural relaxers have no side effects on hair, so they are safer to use. But what when you need an instant makeover to rush to the office party? This is where hair texturizers and relaxers come into picture. While using a hot iron rod can be a way out, it may not be a foolproof technique to attain smooth and manageable hair. Also, it has damaging effects on hair. That’s when using a texturizer or a relaxer looks like a safer alternative.
So, if you have springy coils and want to lessen the frizz, grab a texturizer, which acts as a softener. Alternatively, if you want to carry a sleek look, get a relaxer. When it comes to comparing texturizers with relaxers, both these products actually have no difference in functioning. The key difference is the time they have to be left to work on hair, depending on the degree of straightening you require. Deciding which one of these is better or less damaging is controversial. But since a texturizer is kept on for a lesser time, and may be composed of milder chemicals, it is less harmful to the scalp.
Texturizer is a type of hair product that relaxes the curls in hair by doing chemical makeup, without straightening them completely.
Relaxer is a chemical-based hair product that is used to straighten curly or kinky hair completely.
➜ Therefore, it doesn’t eliminate curls, it just defines them.
➜ A relaxer works on curls to a higher degree by completely removing them, producing hair that is not just manageable, but sleekly straight.
➜ Leave for not more than 10 minutes.
➜ Wash out with water.
➜ You can use a decalcifying shampoo or a cream-based moisturizer to regain the moisture lost in the process of texturizing hair, especially the ones with sensitive skin.
➜ Apply the relaxer onto the hair.
➜ Using a fine-toothed brush, comb the product into the hair.
➜ Leave for 20-30 minutes.
➜ Wash out with warm water.
➜ Apply neutralizers to neutralize the effect of harsh chemicals on the scalp, and mend the broken hair bonds.
➜ The main ingredient in a hair texturizer is calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate is the other.
➜ The pH of a texturizer lotion is comparatively lesser than that of most relaxers.
➜ Using a texturizer may end up forming a calcium buildup in hair. Hence a decalcifying shampoo is recommended as a follow-up.
➜ Relaxers are available in both, lye and no-lye options, with the popular ones being lye-based relaxers.
➜ The active ingredient is sodium hydroxide which is a strong alkali. It has a higher pH balance of about 12-14 approximately.
➜ Since a stronger pH can end up damaging your hair and burning the scalp, the application of a relaxer should be followed up with a neutralizing shampoo.
➜ It gives hair that is manageable and easier to comb.
➜ It styles the hair without damaging the strands.
➜ With a texturizer, the new growth of hair is less noticeable, as the hair already possessed curls.
➜ A relaxer works magnificently on both S-shaped and Z-shaped curls.
➜ It removes all the curls and renders straight, sleek hair, that can be styled in any form.
➜ A texturizer might work only if one already has S-shaped curls.
➜ New growth of hair is clearly visible since this hair will be kinky.
➜ The relaxer cream is harsher than a texturizer, and hence ends up drying and damaging the hair permanently.
➜ If getting incredibly straight and shiny hair is what you desire, then a relaxer is the best bet.
The effect of a texturizer lasts for a lesser time as compared to that of a relaxer. If you exceed the texturizer application time for more than 10 minutes, you might end up straightening your hair, as it will work like a relaxer.
Always consult a professional hairstylist before using any of the hair products. A relaxer can be applied at home, but working yourself with a texturizer can be a little tedious, as the wrong application may straighten out your hair, which isn’t desirable.
