ARE RELAXERS GOOD FOR YOU?

[janeemat]

I was just wondering how many of you think relaxers are good and healthy for you and your hair? I read on a previous thread I started that some women found relaxers to be healthy/good for their hair and I was curious... are there any more of you out there?

"Good and healthy", I can relate to what they are saying here and can agree. Personally, I think relaxers are the best thing that could have ever happen for black hair. Don't hang me, just hear me out. The problem arose because we were not given proper instructions on how to care for them in order to keep our hair healthy. I'm sure in the beginning, the companies that were making them probably didn't know what they were doing and was using us as guinnea pigs as well. It was designed to allow us ease in handling our hair. Now, fast forward 30 years and we're all alot smarter when it comes to our hair, including the companies producing the products. We now have flat irons, round brushes, blowdryers, etc. I can think back to when I was little girl and wash day came along. All we had was white rose and crown something to put on our hair. Natural hair in the dirty south with 100 degrees of smothering heat is no joke to have to get your hair pressed. Hang! that was child abuse right there! Burnt ears, foreheads and edges! With that said, I can't kick dirt on the relaxers. That just took me back.

 

[SouthernTease]

The Black Hair Care Industry in a $4 billion a year industry...

what do you think would happen if Black Women stopped

getting relaxers... I'm just saying...

someone should Michael Moore the industry... get enlightened ya'll.

 

[Traycee]

The Black Hair Care Industry in a $4 billion a year industry...

what do you think would happen if Black Women stopped

getting relaxers... I'm just saying...

someone should Michael Moore the industry... get enlightened ya'll.

What....Get enlightened...Please stop!!! So now we are stupid b/c we are relaxed....I know how much money is made ...But I'm paying for a product That I enjoy using....Please stop!!!! You doing to much...

 

[janeemat]

The Black Hair Care Industry in a $4 billion a year industry...

what do you think would happen if Black Women stopped

getting relaxers... I'm just saying...

someone should Michael Moore the industry... get enlightened ya'll.

I agree. It's definitely money in black hair care. Even if we all went natural, it would still be a $4 billion dollar business because then they would just make more products geared towards natural hair care just like they are beginning to do now. They would jack up the prices, and guess what, we would buy them. It's a no win situation when it comes to our hair.

 

[SparklingFlame]

I agree. It's definitely money in black hair care. Even if we all went natural, it would still be a $4 billion dollar business because then they would just make more products geared towards natural hair care just like they are beginning to do now. They would jack up the prices, and guess what, we would buy them. It's a no win situation when it comes to our hair.

ITA w/ your entire post.

 

[SouthernTease]

What....Get enlightened...Please stop!!! So now we are stupid b/c we are relaxed....I know how much money is made ...But I'm paying for a product That I enjoy using....Please stop!!!! You doing to much...

Wow... Are we playing "jumping to conclusions"

I was saying someone really needs to put the spotlight

on the industry it really needs to be exposed all the dirty

little secrets... just like Michael Moore did... I mean did we seriously

even know that stuff before he exposed it... NO... so I'd like to

be enlightened... I'd like the industry to be exposed... I know

some things but I'm sure there's hidden stuff. How about the Asian BSS

putting knock off products in AVLON MIZANI packaging... I wonder

what really lies beneath... the truth behind relaxers... hmm...

They have people that just trust what they are being given is true and good

and then others that question it... Let's be questioners... you understand?

 

[Jazala]

What....Get enlightened...Please stop!!! So now we are stupid b/c we are relaxed....I know how much money is made ...But I'm paying for a product That I enjoy using....Please stop!!!! You doing to much...

Agree!!

 

[MrsWatson]

Wow... Are we playing "jumping to conclusions"

I was saying someone really needs to put the spotlight

on the industry it really needs to be exposed all the dirty

little secrets... just like Michael Moore did... I mean did we seriously

even know that stuff before he exposed it... NO... so I'd like to

be enlightened... I'd like the industry to be exposed... I know

some things but I'm sure there's hidden stuff. How about the Asian BSS

putting knock off products in AVLON MIZANI packaging... I wonder

what really lies beneath... the truth behind relaxers... hmm...

They have people that just trust what they are being given is true and good

and then others that question it... Let's be questioners... you understand?

I hate conspiracy theories....

If you feel so adamantly about it, then maybe you should "Michael Moore" it and "enlighten" us. Throwing unfounded conspiracy theories won't sway anyones stance and will only throw fuel in the fire. Not to be rude or anything, but you seem to have a very strong opinion on the matter and there always has to be a first person to research these things, get the ball rolling and present them in a proper manner....why not you? You might be on to something, but no one will take you seriously if you sound so biased in your approach....Just my $19.08....

 

[Incredible1ne]

Wow, why so defensive? I don't think SouthernTease was trying to imply that people who relax are stupid or anything like that.

 

[Incredible1ne]

To answer to question, no I don't think that relaxers are particularly healthy but there's a lot of things in this world that's not perfectly healthy. I guess in moderation and with proper use, it would be ok.

 

[poookie]

To answer to question, no I don't think that relaxers are particularly healthy but there's a lot of things in this world that's not perfectly healthy. I guess in moderation and with proper use, it would be ok.

i think that summed up this entire thread nicely. no real need to vote.

 

[SouthernTease]

Wow, why so defensive? I don't think SouthernTease was trying to imply that people who relax are stupid or anything like that.

I don't know why I entertained it... guess I was bored at work. Just the facts, I challenge... no I DARE anyone to name one health benefit of using relaxers... I bet you can't, but I can name about 50 reasons why not using them is a healthier choice that's why I started a blog for transitioners, naturals, and people with open to the idea of going natural... since I'm off from work... and since I make too much damn sense... I'm done with this thread forever. ((DUCES ))

 

[Traycee]

I don't know why I entertained it... guess I was bored at work. Just the facts, I challenge... no I DARE anyone to name one health benefit of using relaxers... I bet you can't, but I can name about 50 reasons why not using them is a healthier choice that's why I started a blog for transitioners, naturals, and people with open to the idea of going natural... since I'm off from work... and since I make too much damn sense... I'm done with this thread forever. ((DUCES ))

Benefit....I like it....It was debated years ago by doctors was it safe...It has been proven that they are safe...Show me some one that is sick from a relaxer and you got me....You choose to be natural...That's fine but to call people unskilled, un- enlightened because they don't agree with you.....Just isn't right... Judging others because they do not agree is not right and just ugly....

 

[Lovelylocs]

For sure... I was a relaxed hair model for AVLON/KERA CARE. See my siggy that APRIL '07 pic is pre-LHCF. I always had healthy hair. Choosing to transition was more for my physical health rather than for the health of my hair.

Sorry. I didn't mean pictures of your relaxed hair pre-LHCF. I meant pictures of your natural hair pre-LHCF.

 

[Aggie]

Relaxers may not be good for the hair as you all may think, but please hear my voice, hear me roar loud like a lion, it makes my hair a helluva lot easier to manage and I will be d*mned if I'm gonna stop relaxing my hair now after 30 + years. I am in lovvvve with my relaxer and as long as they makin' dem, honey, I gone be usin' dem straight to my grave. I am a die-hard relaxer user. These fries I'm eating right now probably slowin' down my heart rate even while I consume them, but hey what can I say, I love them too. Hats off to all naturals out there, but I will never willingly commit to going natural ever again. They'd have to take me kickin' and screamin' over to the natural side.

 

[locabouthair]

Benefit....I like it....It was debated years ago by doctors was it safe...It has been proven that they are safe...Show me some one that is sick from a relaxer and you got me....You choose to be natural...That's fine but to call people unskilled, un- enlightened because they don't agree with you.....Just isn't right... Judging others because they do not agree is not right and just ugly....

I agree.

For the life of me, I just don't understand why black women are scolded so much for using relaxers, when we are not the only ones.

Latina's get relaxers also but you don't hear anyone getting on them about using them.

I was natural when I came to this board and I felt the same way I do now. This relaxer vs. natural debate is SO old.

 

[aloof one]

BTW, there are relaxers out there that minimize damage.

Comparing relaxer to unhealthy food isnt right . You cant get addicted to a relaxer, and you cant really get severe health problems from usin a relaxer, that is unless you rub it all over your face and eyes.

Of course you can get addicted. People have go get a fix every 4 months knowing it is SODIUM HYDROXIDE they're putting on their head. People say they don't have to relax but they choose to-- most of them will relax for the rest of their life because they can't remember a day they didnt (just like folks can't remember a day they didn't drink coke or smoke crack) Its loaded with carcinogens. Of course it is affecting you. Why else would the hair coming out of your scalp for months after you quit relaxing be a different texture? That stuff goes deeper than folks seem to think.

But hey, its for a style right? People inject botulism in their face for a "style."

It's like when obese people try to convince you they're healthy. Society accepts something and all of a sudden its healthy? Just like they accepted alcohol and cigarettes and prescription Oxycontin. If there was a cream (cheaper than what Michael did) available to make people lighter... it would be flying off the shelves. It would make your skin see through and thin and give you the potential for an array of diseases, but it would make you lighter... And people would claim they don't want to be white but its just for a style... wait... Isn't that Hydroquinnone? Oh well, they already made it.erplexed

 

[Aggie]

Benefit....I like it....It was debated years ago by doctors was it safe...It has been proven that they are safe...Show me some one that is sick from a relaxer and you got me....You choose to be natural...That's fine but to call people unskilled, un- enlightened because they don't agree with you.....Just isn't right... Judging others because they do not agree is not right and just ugly....

I couldn't agree with you more on this Traycee.

 

[aloof one]

I'm sorry... do the vast majority of latina women relax their hair?
And the ones who do... are their relaxers tearing their hair apart and giving them alopecia? Are they well known for hair that "doesn't grow," bald spots, thin ends, damage, breakage, etc?

Are they being robbed annually by spending the most money on the haircare industry?

Does Becky get shunned or stereotyped for not relaxing her hair?

ETA: I wasn't trying to argue, I just noticed that a lot of folks arguing in here are being very one-sided, as if we've forgotten that most black women who relax have damaged, overprocessed hair that doesn't go past SL. Some of you are acting like we all have healthy BSL permed hair.

I agree.

For the life of me, I just don't understand why black women are scolded so much for using relaxers, when we are not the only ones.

Latina's get relaxers also but you don't hear anyone getting on them about using them.

I was natural when I came to this board and I felt the same way I do now. This relaxer vs. natural debate is SO old.

 

[hopeful]

What a mean-spirited, arrogant thread. Please ladies do not say/think now this is what naturals do, this is how they think. Please remember this is a thread started by the OP and the OP alone.

 

[Aggie]

I agree.

For the life of me, I just don't understand why black women are scolded so much for using relaxers, when we are not the only ones.

Latina's get relaxers also but you don't hear anyone getting on them about using them.

I was natural when I came to this board and I felt the same way I do now. This relaxer vs. natural debate is SO old.

Not only that, there are white folks that get their hair permed in order to make it curly and we never criticize them for it either. Like I indicated before, I respect those that has natural hair and can manage it well but I really think this respect should be a two-way street if we are to get along and agree to disagree. The name calling is totally un-necessary.

I mean let he who is without sin cast the first stone. My point is this - there are some persons who have gone natural but yet they are still using commercial products from a bottle on their hair. Natural is natural. I would suggest that naturals go all the way if it's that big a deal. Use naturally grown plants like hibiscus and aloe fresh from a garden instead of the bottled and/or packaged stuff.

Besides, variety is what make this world so interesting to live in. There are 4 seasons in a year and they each have their distinctive qualities, just like there are persons who chose to be relaxed and there are those who don't. Some of us wear weaves, some wear braids, some lock their hair and some flat iron it subjecting it to an un-natural way of straightening as well, so why can't those that relax their hair choose to without being bashed around like we've committed some unforgiveable sin?

 

[Lovelylocs]

I'm sorry... do the vast majority of latina women relax their hair?
And the ones who do... are their relaxers tearing their hair apart and giving them alopecia? Are they well known for hair that "doesn't grow," bald spots, thin ends, damage, breakage, etc?

Are they being robbed annually by spending the most money on the haircare industry?

Does Becky get shunned or stereotyped for not relaxing her hair?

ETA: I wasn't trying to argue, I just noticed that a lot of folks arguing in here are being very one-sided, as if we've forgotten that most black women who relax have damaged, overprocessed hair that doesn't go past SL. Some of you are acting like we all have healthy BSL permed hair.

Hi, Al00fOne! I'll talk about it w/u. We've gone back and forth about another issue before and we always keep it civil.

Most Dominicans relax their hair. Many PRs do too. Italians and Jewish people w/kinky/curly hair relax as well. They all have the same issues w/relaxer that we do. If they don't take care of their relaxed hair properly, it breaks off. I had a Jewish roommate who relaxed and flat ironed and there was always hair around the sink. I'm relaxed and zero breakage. Yes, anyone black or white w/big hair or a fro would get shunned stereotyped.

 

[Aggie]

Yes goodness
Shooot sometimes i wonder if these wars are going to have us living in some sort of cave or basment, country, island, ect. and we will be back to the basics. No oil, baking soda, henna, etc none of that for your hair/body....what will we do then?

You know Fluffylocks, I thought about this and you know what, I have none of those kinds of fears because surprisingly, we as human beings always find a way to make it because of our innate ability to adapt to change and survive instinctively no matter what the circumstance. For example, there is a fear that gasoline might either run out or become too highly priced and already we have an alternate energy source for our cars - hence the hybrid cars.

 

[locabouthair]

I'm sorry... do the vast majority of latina women relax their hair?
And the ones who do... are their relaxers tearing their hair apart and giving them alopecia? Are they well known for hair that "doesn't grow," bald spots, thin ends, damage, breakage, etc?

Are they being robbed annually by spending the most money on the haircare industry?

Does Becky get shunned or stereotyped for not relaxing her hair?

ETA: I wasn't trying to argue, I just noticed that a lot of folks arguing in here are being very one-sided, as if we've forgotten that most black women who relax have damaged, overprocessed hair that doesn't go past SL. Some of you are acting like we all have healthy BSL permed hair.

to be honest, I notice many latina women with thin edges. I believe it's because they pull the hair to much when they bun or ponytail.

No they are not known for hair that doesn't grow.

Yes black women have problems with bald edges, not retaining length etc because we do not know how to take care of our hair.

I'm pretty sure if most black women knew how to take care of our hair we wouldnt running to the BSS every minute buying the new weave. I don't think anyone here can deny that we are very miseducated about hair. If that was case no one here would be reaching lengths they never reached before.

Seriously how many black women know that grease doesn't moisturize? Some use dishwashing liquid to wash their hair, relax every 4 weeks, and wash once a month because we are told not to wash our our natural oils.

I'm not trying to argue either but I'm tired of the prejudice within our race.

It's either "good hair" vs "bad hair", light skin vs. dark skin, or relaxed vs natural. I wonder what will be next

I LOVE my race. I think we are some beautiful people, not saying other races arent, but sometimes I feel that there is always something to prevent us from having unity within the race.

Slavery did a hell of a number on us as a people

Like I said before when I came to this board I was natural and I didnt like the whole relaxed vs natural debate then either.

 

[Naemone]

Of course you can get addicted. People have go get a fix every 4 months knowing it is SODIUM HYDROXIDE they're putting on their head. People say they don't have to relax but they choose to-- most of them will relax for the rest of their life because they can't remember a day they didnt (just like folks can't remember a day they didn't drink coke or smoke crack) Its loaded with carcinogens. Of course it is affecting you. Why else would the hair coming out of your scalp for months after you quit relaxing be a different texture? That stuff goes deeper than folks seem to think.

But hey, its for a style right? People inject botulism in their face for a "style."

It's like when obese people try to convince you they're healthy. Society accepts something and all of a sudden its healthy? Just like they accepted alcohol and cigarettes and prescription Oxycontin. If there was a cream (cheaper than what Michael did) available to make people lighter... it would be flying off the shelves. It would make your skin see through and thin and give you the potential for an array of diseases, but it would make you lighter... And people would claim they don't want to be white but its just for a style... wait... Isn't that Hydroquinnone? Oh well, they already made it.erplexed

LOL too funny!!!

 

[almondjoi85]

I was trying really hard not to comment here, but I'm in support of the women who choose to relax their hair. I relax my hair too and I do it because I LIKE TO. Look around this board, you can have long, strong, relaxed hair. Women who do not have healthy relaxed hair are uneducated on the proper way to use a relaxer, they are most likely suffering from OVERprocessing, not processing alone.

Choosing to be natural is a personal choice just like choosing to be relaxed is a personal choice. I hate that people are being put down for relaxing their hair, of all things. Leave it to women! Just like us to find something to separate ourselves, try to put one side higher than the other. What's next? Seriously, this forum is meant for us to help each other and share info...not to put others down or make fun and I think that's exactly what this thread & poll was meant to do. If you (SouthernTease) want to "enlighten" then post some information to do so, not create a biased poll meant to make people look stupid.

AND who here wears deodorant? Studies have linked it to breast cancer. Are you avoiding that too?

 

[Aggie]

What....Get enlightened...Please stop!!! So now we are stupid b/c we are relaxed....I know how much money is made ...But I'm paying for a product That I enjoy using....Please stop!!!! You doing to much...

Yes I agree, this is really taking it too far. I don't ever criticize those who like their hair natural. I don't particularly care for it myself but I don't think that I have the right to tell someone how they should and shouldn't wear their hair and I with absolute certainty, don't think that anyone has the right to tell me how I should or shouldn't wear mine.

I have very close friends who are natural and it never ever occur to either of us to tell each other how we should wear our hair. I love the locks, I love fros, but I love the relaxed hair more, so now sue me!

 

[Foxglove]

It's not that I think relaxers are good for me vs completely naptpural. I kinda wanna see that I can get myself to napptural APL/BSL then I wanna go napptural to see that it can be done. With me it's not about making a statement, I wanna see how many options my hair has
In the end it is to each man his own. I can't tell you how to carry your own hair and vice versa

 

[Isis]

I will quote the LHCFer when I find it...

she actually said relaxers were good for her hair...

give me a minute... or day... I'll get it.

Anyway, I think I made my point... or actually ya'll made it for me

((PUSHING MY AGENDA))

It's not good for you so why do it...

We shouldn't put it in or on our body if it's doesn't add anything

to our health. Have you read Dr. Oz's book? or Kevin Truedeau.

it's like SUGAR... sugar is bad for you but nobody wants

to stop using it because it's SOO GOOD right...

Sugar is more addictive than cocaine as demonstrated

by research... someone posted it in another thread...

same thing with relaxers... they are NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

I mean how long did it take for people to get that cigarettes were bad

that High Fructose was bad, that mineral oil was bad for hair

It's like you won't know it's bad for you until something really bad happens...

until you get smacked in the face with it...

until you read the research article about African- American hair stylists having

higher rates of cancer than any other race in that profession...

That's my point.

I'm not perfect though... just want you to see it... I'm not judging... I'm one applicator brush away from a touch up myself. Not really but you know what I mean. I'm not like anti-relaxer... well maybe a little... at the very least I think women should stretch at least 12 weeks. I'm not judging... I'm not Bishop SouthernTease... do what you want but if I at least made you think twice about it... I feel I've done my part. ((DUCES ))

I'm still reading through this thread but I want to add something here.

What's much more important, I believe, is how does using a relaxer make one feel. Of course I mean using it properly rather than carelessly. If a person feels good about herself and her hair while using it and is pleased with the outcome of her hair, then using the relaxer is good for her. Her hair will thrive.

On the other hand, if a person feels uncomfortable, even fearful about using a relaxer on her hair, then I believe it's best for her to leave it alone and look at alternatives to get the results she desires. If she continues using relaxers in that negative frame of mind, her results will reflect that and the relaxer will either be damaging to her hair through misuse or miscalculation on her part or on the stylist's part.

*returns to read more of the thread*

 

[Isis]

I'm sorry... do the vast majority of latina women relax their hair?
And the ones who do... are their relaxers tearing their hair apart and giving them alopecia? Are they well known for hair that "doesn't grow," bald spots, thin ends, damage, breakage, etc?

Are they being robbed annually by spending the most money on the haircare industry?

Does Becky get shunned or stereotyped for not relaxing her hair?

ETA: I wasn't trying to argue, I just noticed that a lot of folks arguing in here are being very one-sided, as if we've forgotten that most black women who relax have damaged, overprocessed hair that doesn't go past SL. Some of you are acting like we all have healthy BSL permed hair.

The proper use of relaxers result in hair as beautiful, healthy and as long as the person desires it to be. It can also be done at very little monetary expense. Besides myself, there are many ladies here with long, healthy, beautiful thick hair who use relaxers, some for many years.