Confused - Optimum Multimineral

[Cayenne0622]

I read that this relaxer is lye with no lye elments to it or something that effect. How is that possible? I don't have any PH papers to see how this relaxer rates on the scale so I'm just interested in obtaining as much information as possible through you ladies. I used it for the first time 8 weeks ago and I was pleased with the results. I really just would like to know if any of you ladies have any additional info or if you can refer me to any other sites that proivde more info.

 

[gymfreak336]

I read that this relaxer is lye with no lye elments to it or something that effect. How is that possible? I don't have any PH papers to see how this relaxer rates on the scale so I'm just interested in obtaining as much information as possible through you ladies. I used it for the first time 8 weeks ago and I was pleased with the results. I really just would like to know if any of you ladies have any additional info or if you can refer me to any other sites that proivde more info.

If it has sodium hydroxide then it is lye/

 

[LaNecia]

No idea on the specifics but this relaxer does my hair RIGHT!!

 

[gymfreak336]

No idea on the specifics but this relaxer does my hair RIGHT!!

Then that is all that matters ....Right

 

[Cayenne0622]

The ingredients are water, petrolatum, mineral oil/paraffinum liquidum, ceteryl alcohol, propylene glycol, peg 75 lanolin, lithium hydroxide, behentrimonium methosulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, polyquaternium6, calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide.

Sounds like 3 different hydroxides??? hmmmm

 

[Sistaslick]

I read that this relaxer is lye with no lye elments to it or something that effect. How is that possible? I don't have any PH papers to see how this relaxer rates on the scale so I'm just interested in obtaining as much information as possible through you ladies. I used it for the first time 8 weeks ago and I was pleased with the results. I really just would like to know if any of you ladies have any additional info or if you can refer me to any other sites that proivde more info.

Found this on a website that sells the relaxer:

"This reduced-pH, Multi-Mineral technology offers effective straightening and great client comfort. The Patent-pending formulation of sodium, calcium and lithium hydroxides leaves hair silky, smooth and full of body and shine. Available in three strengths: Mild, Regular and Super"

Basically, they make this claim because it contains multiple alkali hydroxides: sodium hydroxide (lye) and the lithium and calcium hydroxide (no-lye). They've used a little bit of everything in this one.

 

[Cayenne0622]

Found this on a website that sells the relaxer:

"This reduced-pH, Multi-Mineral technology offers effective straightening and great client comfort. The Patent-pending formulation of sodium, calcium and lithium hydroxides leaves hair silky, smooth and full of body and shine. Available in three strengths: Mild, Regular and Super"

Basically, they make this claim because it contains multiple alkali hydroxides: sodium hydroxide (lye) and the lithium and calcium hydroxide (no-lye). They've used a little bit of everything in this one.

Thanks sistaslick! Do you think that's something to be concerned about? That sounds a little scary to mel

 

[morehairplease]

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Thanks sistaslick! Do you think that's something to be concerned about? That sounds a little scary to mel

good question

 

[lunabelle]

Isn't calcium hydroxide(calcium build-up) what we try to get rid of in no-lye relaxers by using clarifying shampoos? Why would they but that and sodium hyroxide together?

 

[fluffylocks]

Isn't calcium hydroxide(calcium build-up) what we try to get rid of in no-lye relaxers by using clarifying shampoos? Why would they but that and sodium hyroxide together?

Yeah, or decalcifying shampoos

I think the whole purpose is gone if they combine them

You leave no-lye alone so you wont have calcium buildup and dry hair, you leave lye alone if you have a sensative scalp ( or whatever reasons)

And then they just go put it all into one...but who knows. I wonder if you have to mix it with anything and how long it lasts ( if there is a shorter shelf life)

 

[Cayenne0622]

Yeah, or decalcifying shampoos

I think the whole purpose is gone if they combine them

You leave no-lye alone so you wont have calcium buildup and dry hair, you leave lye alone if you have a sensative scalp ( or whatever reasons)

And then they just go put it all into one...but who knows. I wonder if you have to mix it with anything and how long it lasts ( if there is a shorter shelf life)

I agree with you ladies. I've used it once and I had good straightening results but I'm a bit concerned that it may have contributed to my dry hair issues and breakage now that I know that it has no-lye ingredients in it. I was going to relax my hair with this again this weekend but man I'm having second thoughts!!!

 

[VirtuousGal]

I have been wondering a lot about this relaxer too. Seeing as how I keep getting underprocessed from lye, I wondered it this would give me the straightening benefits of no-lye with the hair health of lye, although the relaxer presents the calcium build up issue. This is the main reason I have been hesitant about this relaxer, a 3 punch combo? Mmmm.. I dunno, but then everyone who has tried it has claimed great successes, go figure.

 

[Sistaslick]

Isn't calcium hydroxide(calcium build-up) what we try to get rid of in no-lye relaxers by using clarifying shampoos? Why would they but that and sodium hyroxide together?

The buildup actually comes from when calcium hydroxide is mixed with guanidine carbonate to form guanidine hydroxide and calcium carbonate in the no-lye mixture. The calcium precipitates out and leaves a film/build up on the hair. That buildup cannot be clarified away, it needs to be chelated.

Now, this only happens if her relaxer is a no-lye that requires mixing just prior to use. I think I read that this particular relaxer is definitely a lye formula, so only an activator step would cause this relaxer to deposit calcium.

Cayenne, I am not sure why they felt the need to include all of those hydroxides like that. Sodium hydroxide is the most corrosive , so perhaps they wanted to cut down on the harshness of the relaxer by reducing the sodium hydroxide component and balancing it out with gentler hydroxides? I'm not sure. I do know that the calcium hydroxide can't straighten or do anything without the activator though. I'm thinking they added the others to reduce the problems/harshness they'd have with the sodium hydroxide alone in the formula.

 

[Cayenne0622]

The buildup actually comes from when calcium hydroxide is mixed with guanidine carbonate to form guanidine hydroxide and calcium carbonate in the no-lye mixture. The calcium precipitates out and leaves a film/build up on the hair. That buildup cannot be clarified away, it needs to be chelated.

Now, this only happens if her relaxer is a no-lye that requires mixing just prior to use. I think I read that this particular relaxer is definitely a lye formula, so only an activator step would cause this relaxer to deposit calcium.

Cayenne, I am not sure why they felt the need to include all of those hydroxides like that. Sodium hydroxide is the most corrosive , so perhaps they wanted to cut down on the harshness of the relaxer by reducing the sodium hydroxide component and balancing it out with gentler hydroxides? I'm not sure. I do know that the calcium hydroxide can't straighten or do anything without the activator though. I'm thinking they added the others to reduce the problems/harshness they'd have with the sodium hydroxide alone in the formula.

Ooooohhhh...okay. I see what you're saying. Thanks lady!! I think I'll give this one another shot. I'm re-reading some of your 'articles' tonight and I think part of my dryness problems can also be attributed to the "deep conditioners" I've been using. I don't think they are quite doing the job. I will definitely be trying one of the conditioners you listed just to get a feel for the difference. The ones I'm using combined together would make great deep conditioners but it sure would be nice to settle into one good one. Thank you soooo much.

 

[fluffylocks]

The buildup actually comes from when calcium hydroxide is mixed with guanidine carbonate to form guanidine hydroxide and calcium carbonate in the no-lye mixture. The calcium precipitates out and leaves a film/build up on the hair. That buildup cannot be clarified away, it needs to be chelated.

Now, this only happens if her relaxer is a no-lye that requires mixing just prior to use. I think I read that this particular relaxer is definitely a lye formula, so only an activator step would cause this relaxer to deposit calcium.

Cayenne, I am not sure why they felt the need to include all of those hydroxides like that. Sodium hydroxide is the most corrosive , so perhaps they wanted to cut down on the harshness of the relaxer by reducing the sodium hydroxide component and balancing it out with gentler hydroxides? I'm not sure. I do know that the calcium hydroxide can't straighten or do anything without the activator though. I'm thinking they added the others to reduce the problems/harshness they'd have with the sodium hydroxide alone in the formula.

oh wonderfull explanation, i knew that you would have to use a decalcifying/chelating shampoo, but i had no clue that the buildup comes from the mixture of the two and not just the calcium hyrdoxide alone or that it precipated away
You must be into every aspect of hair and products and reactions, i've seen some of your pots where you call and ask about the ph of certain products, you are a hair chemist---how many hairbooks and stuff have you read?

Anyway, post your results of how it works!!!!!( you said you didnt know the ph of it?)

 

[Cayenne0622]

oh wonderfull explanation, i knew that you would have to use a decalcifying/chelating shampoo, but i had no clue that the buildup comes from the mixture of the two and not just the calcium hyrdoxide alone or that it precipated away
You must be into every aspect of hair and products and reactions, i've seen some of your pots where you call and ask about the ph of certain products, you are a hair chemist---how many hairbooks and stuff have you read?

Anyway, post your results of how it works!!!!!( you said you didnt know the ph of it?)

Sistaslick is awesome, isn't she? She's spent countless hours researching, reading, and helping people with what she's learned.
I don't know the PH of the Optimum relaxer but I'm hoping is on the lower end since they are advertising it as a low ph relaxer.

 

[fluffylocks]

Sistaslick is awesome, isn't she? She's spent countless hours researching, reading, and helping people with what she's learned.
I don't know the PH of the Optimum relaxer but I'm hoping is on the lower end since they are advertising it as a low ph relaxer.

Yes she is

But you can go to a teacher store and get some ph papers, or of course just ask them (silly me, that would be easier)

 

[Cayenne0622]

Yes she is

But you can go to a teacher store and get some ph papers, or of course just ask them (silly me, that would be easier)

Thanks! I'll check it out.

 

[loved]

Ms

This is what Reniece used for her growth challenge.

http://public.fotki.com/Reniece20/hair_growth_challenges/hair_growth_challenge_2/

I am considering this for my next relaxer. Deciding between this, ORS lye, and Affirm if I can find a store I trust that will sell it to me & maybe Design Essentials if I can find it. It would be nice to find a good relaxer that's readily available at the BSS.

 

[Jewell]

I've been using this relaxer for over 12 years, and I've used mostly the mild formulation. It straightens my hair well with no residual dryness or build-up. I will never switch relaxers again...the one time I went to no-lye I had terrible dryness and that was from Mizani Butter Blends. This relaxer system (I use steps 1-4) really works well for me and I love it. The formulation is perfect for my hair and it isn't tough on my scalp. A friend of mine used it too and was very satisfied with her results and we have totally different textures.