Relaxers: Are you afraid of long-term relaxer effects on scalp?

[*Muffin*]

Not really . The way I see it, people have been dying their hair for years and most of their scalps seem to be faring all right. But then again, I haven't examined the scalp of every person that colors their hair . Usually I try to handle my scalp with care before, during, and after the relaxing process, and I stretch my relaxers for at least 3 months so that my scalp doesn't come into frequent contact with relaxers. And the relaxer I use is pretty mild on my scalp. I also treat my scalp to detoxifying bentonite clay treatments from time to time, plus I'm sure it's constantly being healed from all those 'Veda treatments I do. At least I hope so...

 

[ellebelle88]

No not really. There are long term effects of just about everything but and just IMHO, most of the issues with relaxers come from improper usage...whether that be too often, letting it burn the scalp, inadequate care during and after the process etc...

I protect my scalp before the chemical process and I also made other changes in my regime that have improved the condition of my scalp in ways I could have never imagined. I also like to use oils that have regenerative properties on my scalp on a regular basis as a preventative measure but I would be doing that regardless of if I was relaxed or not.

Every relaxer I have ever gotten with the exception of one (only ONE!) has burned. Gym, can you explain what you do to protect your scalp to minimize or stop burning? Also, can you give some examples of changes you have made in your regimen that conditions your scalp?

Also to answer the OPs question, yes I am afraid of the long term effects of relaxers. I have seen too many nearly bald or balding women due to relaxers. I don't know what ultimately causes these effects, but I do know that lye is a relatively harsh chemical. All it takes is one bad relaxer and I could be in the same predicament. In 2008, I had 4 relaxers and this year I had 3. My ultimate goal is to go natural but I'm not exactly sure when that will be.

 

[gymfreak336]

Every relaxer I have ever gotten with the exception of one (only ONE!) has burned. Gym, can you explain what you do to protect your scalp to minimize or stop burning? Also, can you give some examples of changes you have made in your regimen that conditions your scalp?

Also to answer the OPs question, yes I am afraid of the long term effects of relaxers. I have seen too many nearly bald or balding women due to relaxers. I don't know what ultimately causes these effects, but I do know that lye is a relatively harsh chemical. All it takes is one bad relaxer and I could be in the same predicament. In 2008, I had 4 relaxers and this year I had 3. My ultimate goal is to go natural but I'm not exactly sure when that will be.

Hey ljbee...
I start basing my scalp two weeks out with some sort of oil to make sure my scalp is moisturized and not irritated. The oil applications also help my new growth stay easier to manage which helps decrease any itchies I get from the newgrowth coiling on my scalp. I also use a shampoo targeted for scalp issues like a nioxin or one of the joico daily shampoos (forgot the name but I will attach some links for you) throughout the stretch period. As my scalp got healthier, burning became a thing of the past for me. I shampoo my hair the lisa akbari way..I had a thread about it but if you can't find it, pm me. It was way more stimulating and healing for me and over a 2-3 month span, my scalp seemed to get stronger.

On relaxer day, I base my scalp and I apply the relaxer as quickly as possible. I also use a mild formula to process.
What relaxers have you been using?

 

[ellebelle88]

Hey ljbee...
I start basing my scalp two weeks out with some sort of oil to make sure my scalp is moisturized and not irritated. The oil applications also help my new growth stay easier to manage which helps decrease any itchies I get from the newgrowth coiling on my scalp. I also use a shampoo targeted for scalp issues like a nioxin or one of the joico daily shampoos (forgot the name but I will attach some links for you) throughout the stretch period. As my scalp got healthier, burning became a thing of the past for me. I shampoo my hair the lisa akbari way..I had a thread about it but if you can't find it, pm me. It was way more stimulating and healing for me and over a 2-3 month span, my scalp seemed to get stronger.

On relaxer day, I base my scalp and I apply the relaxer as quickly as possible. I also use a mild formula to process.
What relaxers have you been using?

Wow, really? I did find your thread on washing using the Lisa Akbari method and I will definitely have to try it on my next wash. Final questions: What kinds of oil are you using? Are you talking about EVOO or coconut oil or is it something more nourishing?

Also my stylist uses Affirm, not sure if it is mild or what but I will check next time I go. Its funny because the first time I switched to this stylist (which was about 3 years ago), she told me her relaxers don't burn...and that day it didn't! But everytime after that my hair has burned. I think it may also have to do with the fact that I wash weekly. I may have to go 2 weeks without washing before getting a relaxer like you do.

 

[gymfreak336]

Wow, really? I did find your thread on washing using the Lisa Akbari method and I will definitely have to try it on my next wash. Final questions: What kinds of oil are you using? Are you talking about EVOO or coconut oil or is it something more nourishing?

Also my stylist uses Affirm, not sure if it is mild or what but I will check next time I go. Its funny because the first time I switched to this stylist (which was about 3 years ago), she told me her relaxers don't burn...and that day it didn't! But everytime after that my hair has burned. I think it may also have to do with the fact that I wash weekly. I may have to go 2 weeks without washing before getting a relaxer like you do.

I like the light wildgrowth oil the most for this purpose. Check next time you go for what formula she is using. I know Affirm processes fast so make sure it is the mild. I actually wash every 4-5 days. I just start the consistent oiling 2 weeks out.

 

[shinyblackhair]

It took one jacked up relaxer by an evil stylist assistant to wreck my scalp. That was the beginning of the end of relaxers for me. I had my last professional relaxer in May and got a burn at the back of my head that I have YET to recover from. I tried to self relax in September (FAIL) and then BC'd in October. My scalp is slowly getting better, but it still itches like hell in the one spot and flakes like crazy...I believe relaxers in the hands of an evil/vengeful/hating stylist can be detrimental.

As for the claims that relaxer cream seeps into the brain and all that...I don't know about that, but hey why risk it? I think if you're going to relax, stretching relaxers is the way to go.

 

[30something]

Not really... in my logic .. or lack off.. The scalp, like every other area of the skin surface is forever replacing its self. By the time I get the next application in 3 months my scalp would have gotten some time to recover. Also a protective layer of base creme or what ever is suppose to go on you scalp every relaxer.

Altho the chemical is no joke.. very harsh I'm not worried about long term effects.

 

[femmemuscle]

Well, i'm growing my hair back after a "big shave" it was too far gone for the "Big Chop"..

i used to have relaxers for as long as i can remember. But what was worse, i had my total head relaxed while wearing a weave. The beautician said it was to keep the weave from looking too bulky.

I didn't know about chemical damage until after a "last ditch" chemical induced attempt to thicken my hair with follicle booster, on top of relaxing the hair.

when my head was shaved i noticed i had "shiny spots" on my scalp. Not only that, the crown and sides of my head were always numb. This was a year and 1/2 ago. My boyfriend didn't tell me that the total back of my head, crown and sides were shiny, until my new "natural" beautician pointed out that my scalp had improved in texture the last 3 months.

There's something to be said about long term effects with relaxing. I didn't know those "shiny areas" were burns.

i thought she would comment on my hair feeling thicker and healthier. it had taken 9months to a year for any hair to sprout back on my head. i thought in a panic that i should have kept what little hair that was left on my head - on my head! a cue-ball cover up, etc.

With massages, vitamin supplementation, diet/exercise, claudies elixir, and other products, i now have a healthy scalp and about 6" of thick, healthy hair. I don't think i can confidentally go back to chemicals or even tex-lax why?

Because those beauticians saw the condition of my "shiny" scalp. those shiny areas were burns.. and if someone can see chronic chemical burns on your scalp - and slap more of the s*^&t on it anyway for a profit, then there's no way i could trust another beautician to be honest. there were several of them that were guilty of this crime.

 

[Jewell]

I have been worried about the long-term effects of relaxers/perms on the scalp AND body for about 7 years now. That's why I have attempted to transition in the past, stretched my relaxers frm 5-8 wks to about 4 months between applications, and went natural. I ended up texlaxing for manageability and convenience in late '08 after being natural, but am now transitioning again for GOOD. My hair is much healthier in the transitioning state, and I feel more confident about the health of my scalp, hair, and body without chemical apps.

I see my mother's hair is see-thru at the crown, and she has been relaxing for like 30 yrs. IDK if its her relaxer TUs every 4 wks, almost daily curling iron use, or the constant wrapping at night (as wrapping can thin the hair, I know from experience). Either way, the only way her hair is going to recover is if she goes natural to regain the thickness that would come with virgin hair growth. My hair had become thin after relaxer apps, and after doing a BC and growing pure virgin hair, when I did texlax, it was much thicker--though processed, obviously. The rest of my mother's hair is quite thin. I know she'll prolly keep relaxin' til she's like 70 if she can, but I just sadly picture her having little to no hair left by the time she's 60 (God forbid, but its true if she keeps up the same habits). She could care less about what I say about her need to go natural to regain a healthy, thick head of hair.

 

[Optimus_Prime]

Nope. And I have no intention of transitioning ever; No matter how long I live.

 

[Lanea87]

I'm not worried, I have been relaxing for atleast 15 years and havent had any problems.

 

[my1goodnerve]

I've got two friends who were told by doctors that they should no longer relax. One went natural kicking and screaming all the way. She wears a twa and though it looks great on her face and fits her active lifestyle, she's still not comfortable. Not sure why she doesn't grow it out, but I think it has more to do with lack of knowledge and denial than anything else. My other friend ignored her doctor's advice and tried to heal her scalp with medicated shampoos. She does a great job of camoflauging the damage because she has length (no thickness), but there are some telltale signs along her edges that are more difficult to hide. I don't the specifics or diagnosis in either case, and both of these women are in their 40's and have been relaxed most of their lives. I assume that they followed the advice of beauticians and went no longer than 6 weeks before a touch up, with a lot of overlap and over processing as a result. It is also possible that they have other health issues or sensitivities that contributed to the problem. Either way, I think that many of you who relax are much more knowledgeable about healthy hair practices. I think that you pay attention to the needs of your hair and scalp and you have options to recover from setbacks. I think that you use stylists as accessories to help you get the looks and results that you want, knowing that you are the ultimate experts when it comes to your hair. So armed with all of that power and knowledge, I wouldn't expect that many of my relaxed lhcf sisters would be concerned with the long term effects of relaxers.

 

[melissa-bee]

Yeah i'm transitioning and i'm still a bit worried about the long term effects.

 

[topnotch1010]

Absolutely not. I've had one almost 25 years now with no problems.

Relaxer is NOT the debil.

 

[deltagyrl]

Sometimes I think about it. Then I see a beautiful natural head (never irl, always online) and think, I should go ahead and transition. Then I start having anxiety because I don't want to bc...

 

[aquajoyice]

I used to think that the only way to have long healthy hair was if you were natural. This was how I felt before the "knowledge". But now I know it's all about proper care, application and maintenance that gives you a healthy scalp and hair. When I was over-processing, not conditioning, using heat all the time, my hair and scalp suffered. Now that i've learned to treat a relaxer as a chemical and protect my scalp and hair it's been smooth sailing ever since. I haven't had any hair loss,scalp burning or scabbing at all. And now that i've begun to texlax I see that my hair has become more resiliant. Where as before everytime I used to relax I was scared to comb my hair for fear all of my hair would start coming out. The more careful you are with it I think the better your hair and scalp will be.

 

[Arcadian]

Chemotherapy is more poisonous for your body than a relaxer.

So the answer to the question is no. I relax and continue to keep my hair. Couldn't say the same with chemo.

-A

 

[beans4reezy]

I used to wonder if there were long term effects to relaxing too. Still not sure, but I have been relaxing for about 20 yrs now with no problems. The question for me is, do I want to relax for another 20 years?