Whats wrong with boxed relaxers?

[Qualitee]

I keep on hearing its bad

 

[Optimus_Prime]

Re: Whats wrong with box relaxers?

I just don't use them because they're not the most cost effective option.

 

[melissa-bee]

I've heard this too, i think it's because most boxed relaxers are no-lye and it's meant to dry out your hair more than lye.

 

[Qualitee]

I thought No-lye was better?

 

[sharifeh]

I thought No-lye was better?

not necessarily

what they say is this: lye is easier on the hair; tougher on the scalp

no-lye is better for the scalp but it's really tough on the hair; really dries out hair;

(I hope I didn't get that backwards )

People choose what's better for them, if you have scalp issues, no lye can be worth it

 

[RocStar]

I don't know if anything is wrong with them...I think many "professional" relaxers may have some higher quality ingredients. I also refuse to go to the salon and have them use a box relaxer. My hairdresser uses Mizani Butter Blends and I love it.

 

[queen928]

The difference is that boxed relaxers contain calcium hydroxide (straightening agent). As it was explained to us when I was in cosmetology school is calcium makes your bones hard so what makes you think it won't make the cuticles of your hair hard as well. Many of us here are really good about conditioning so we may not notice the difference unlike someone who doesn't know how to properly take care of relaxed hair. The straightening agent in salon quality relaxers is sodium hydroxide which is better for hair. Sodium hydroxide is also the agent used to clear drains (Drano) which is why people say if it can clear a drain then what makes you think it won't take the hair off your head. But anyway...that's what I was taught.

 

[ebonimama]

Boxed perms always left my hair dry and crunchy. Once I started with the lye perms my hair felt soft and moisturized. But of course, that worked for me.....

 

[Qualitee]

I noticed when I use boxed relaxers my hair is alway dry too

 

[vkb247]

LOL. That is the major reason that I texlax instead of using a texturizer. Most texturizers that I have run across are no-lye and there is a much wider selection of lye relaxers to choose from. If you have a sensitive scalp than try adding a couple of teaspoons of oil to the relaxer. I use conditioner.

If you want to use no-lye than make sure you chelate your hair to get rid of the calcium build-up and that should help with the dryness.

 

[Optimus_Prime]

Use lye (sodium hydroxide) relaxer.

 

[sylver2]

ive used boxed relaxers since ive been relaxed. revlon for 10 years, then cream of nature-no lye, then optimum-no lye.......ive been no lye for yeaaars now
the time where i used a salon relaxer was the time where my hair was not thriving and seemed thin..crazy i know.

 

[Solitude]

I use no-lye. Lye made a patch of my hair fall out (twice). This never happened in the 10 years I used no-lye "box" relaxers. The lye chemical process is waaay too strong. I never experienced burning until I tried lye, and both times they were professional applications.

I now use Phyto, which is technically a "box" relaxer as well. I've never chelated and I don't believe in most types of build-up (calcium, protein) that are discussed on LHCF.

ETA: Clarification - I don't have problems with build-up.

 

[missbritt1986]

I love my Keyshia Cole boxed relaxer! LOL. It's like 3.50, and it always comes with .50 savings coupons for your next 4 boxes. My hair is very coarse (in it's natural state) & sucks up moisture. I use Ion Hard Water Shampoo after neutralizing and just make sure I deep condition every week, use light protein, & keep my hair oiled with olive, avocado, or coconut oils. I refuse to pay $45 bucks for a touch up, so my grandma (bless her heart) does it for me. She bases my scalp & uses her little brush to apply relaxer ONLY to the new growth. The only reason I don't do it myself is because I'm scared of overlapping.

 

[Solitude]

The difference is that boxed relaxers contain calcium hydroxide (straightening agent). As it was explained to us when I was in cosmetology school is calcium makes your bones hard so what makes you think it won't make the cuticles of your hair hard as well. Many of us here are really good about conditioning so we may not notice the difference unlike someone who doesn't know how to properly take care of relaxed hair. The straightening agent in salon quality relaxers is sodium hydroxide which is better for hair. Sodium hydroxide is also the agent used to clear drains (Drano) which is why people say if it can clear a drain then what makes you think it won't take the hair off your head. But anyway...that's what I was taught.

No offense, but this is illogical.

Just because calcium makes bones hard doesn't equate to it making your hair hard. If you purposely eat calcium-rich foods, does that mean that your digestive organs will become hard? No. The way calcium deposits (and is removed) from your bones is not necessarily the same as the chemical reaction of sodium-chloride on your hair during the relaxing process....maybe someone with a science background can chime in here

Personally, I would take anything learned in cosmetology school with a grain of salt. It's stylist who are burning people's hair off with lye relaxers right and left, claiming it's "better for their hair." Ok..........

Both types of relaxers (lye and no-lye) are caustic chemicals that can dissolve substances and damage your hair. The best bet is to make sure the person doing the application is applying the right kind of relaxer for you and knows how apply it properly.

 

[imaccami]

Keyshia Cole has a relaxer out? The singer? Learn something new everyday.

I used no-lye for years and never knew what I was missing until I switched to lye. I'd never ever ever EVER go back to no-lye.

 

[Qualitee]

Now I'm afraid lol. I use elasta qp no lye relaxer normal (box) and my hair always feels dry and limp afterwards. I heard/read lot of good reviews on Mizani butter blends but idk what lye would do to my hair and scalp. I have dry scalp and thin strands btw.

 

[missbritt1986]

No offense, but this is illogical.

Just because calcium makes bones hard doesn't equate to it making your hair hard. If you purposely eat calcium-rich foods, does that mean that your digestive organs will become hard? No. The way calcium deposits (and is removed) from your bones is not necessarily the same as the chemical reaction of sodium-chloride on your hair during the relaxing process....maybe someone with a science background can chime in here

Personally, I would take anything learned in cosmetology school with a grain of salt. It's stylist who are burning people's hair off with lye relaxers right and left, claiming it's "better for their hair." Ok..........

Both types of relaxers (lye and no-lye) are caustic chemicals that can dissolve substances and damage your hair. The best bet is to make sure the person doing the application is applying the right kind of relaxer for you and knows how apply it properly.

I found a pic of it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_hydroxide

It just looks like something that would leave a buildup on your hair. It's never calcified my hair, but the definition for calcify is: 2. (Chemistry) to harden or become hardened by impregnation with calcium salts. I don't think its too far fetched an idea. Most people who have trouble with no lye relaxers experience brittle hair. The definition for brittle is: 1. having hardness and rigidity but little tensile strength. Similar. I'm not saying lye is the best or anything. Just offering my perspective.

 

[LushLox]

I've tried using lye relaxers and they didn't work for me so I had to go back no lye which suits me perfectly. I chelate my hair regularly and I don't have any dryness issues at all and my hair is thriving.

 

[CollegeGrad]

I used boxed relaxers when I was fully relaxed. I still use them now for texlaxing. They haven't caused me any setbacks in all my years of using them.

I can definitely see how people say that their hair feels silkier with a professional relaxer, however. For me, I texlax solely for the end result; I add a deep conditioner and make sure to moisturize afterwards.

 

[lilanie]

My hair does okay on both; prior to using D&L color treated (mild) I used TCB mild (I just like mild). Both did well and I reached/maintained apl.

Sounds like personal experience/preference... Some people can use dove, some can use ivory and others have to use caress... Outta 5sumodd billion people, gotta be differences.

Thanks for bringing this up, I wanted to know too.