Do you use gloves???

[luvmesumhair]

I have a friend of mine that when she self relaxes she does not use gloves. She says that it is easier for her to feel what she is doing and she says that it does not mess up her fingernails or hands.

Do you?

 

[abbygirl]

there are times i dnt use gloves as well cos its easier to apply the relaxer but i do it once in a blue moon cos my nails turns yellow

 

[luvmesumhair]

there are times i dnt use gloves as well cos its easier to apply the relaxer but i do it once in a blue moon cos my nails turns yellow

Do you have on nail polish? Do you think that is the reason why?

 

[Jadore_tay]

i couldnt imagine not using gloves... my mom friend did this once and it caused a chemical burn

 

[fluffylocks]

Im trying to transition, but when i do/did relax, i cant use gloves. I wish i could, but i cant I also need to be able to feel exactly what im doing.....
Nothing happens exepct that my hands turn really soft afterwards and i know thats bad,---i also dont think its safe

ETA--my solution was to just use a brush

 

[mscocoface]

Every package I have ever seen with relaxers tell you to use protective gloves, latex gloves, plastic gloves.

You are dealing with a very caustic chemical. Buy they gloves at Sallys if you don't like the ones that come in the container, Those gloves are latex and fit snuggly to the hand, but by all means please use gloves.

 

[Sarahdais]

I always use gloves. I've never heard of any one applying a relaxer without them.

 

[poookie]

i've done it before without gloves. it leaves my hands feeling weird and rubbery if i don't wash my hands thoroughly afterwards with neutralizing shampoo. that was only once, though, and i always try to use gloves when i have them around.

yes, lye is a caustic chemical, but in the 1700's and such, that's what they made soap out of. not a big deal.

 

[lurkersincejan]

I make sure to use the latex gloves from the hospital because the ones that come with it are too big and the chemical goes right through them and rips them. When i did it without clothes, my nails turned yellow and also ate through my nail to where it made my nails disappear to the skin damn near

 

[cmw45]

i've done it before without gloves. it leaves my hands feeling weird and rubbery if i don't wash my hands thoroughly afterwards with neutralizing shampoo. that was only once, though, and i always try to use gloves when i have them around.

yes, lye is a caustic chemical, but in the 1700's and such, that's what they made soap out of. not a big deal.

Yes, but when the lye (sodium hydroxide) is mixed with fatty acids and water, a process called saponification, it produces salt and gylcerin...which is how "soap" is produced; this is not the same process used to make the chemical relaxers of today which ultimately contain lye (sodium hydroxide) at much higher concentrations. This is the reason that adding oil to relaxers reduces the "effect" of the sodium hydroxide...although many erronously contribute it to somehow being diluted by the additional liquid; it's chemistry and the type of liquid added is big impact.

 

[TLC1020]

Nope, I don't use gloves...

 

[intergalacticartist]

I don't use gloves either...

 

[Platinum]

Yes. I don't feel comfortable using caustic chemicals without gloves. I don't use the gloves that are included with the relaxer. I buy the 10 pack vinyl gloves from Family Dollar(similar to the snug-fitting latex gloves). I like the vinyl ones because they don't leave my hands smelling like latex.

 

[moonglowdiva]

I have applied relaxer with and without gloves. I prefer gloves because the relaxer does something weird to the skin (stains) and it takes about 2 week for them to get right. It also destroys the nails. I use gloves plain and simple.

 

[poookie]

Yes, but when the lye (sodium hydroxide) is mixed with fatty acids and water, a process called saponification, it produces salt and gylcerin...which is how "soap" is produced; this is not the same process used to make the chemical relaxers of today which ultimately contain lye (sodium hydroxide) at much higher concentrations. This is the reason that adding oil to relaxers reduces the "effect" of the sodium hydroxide...although many erronously contribute it to somehow being diluted by the additional liquid; it's chemistry and the type of liquid added is big impact.

this thread was directed towards people who use relaxers, addressing whether or not they used gloves.

although i am well informed on soapmaking practices and on adding oil to relaxers, i'm sure your original post will help those who are not.

i'm not sure what your original post was trying to say, but i said in my first post that i use gloves when i can. i've only appiled without gloves once, and don't plan on doing it again. so lye isn't a big deal for me. others may feel differently, and i can respect that 100%.

 

[Caramela]

There have been times (loooong time ago -preLHCF) that I didn't use gloves with no bad side effects. But I always use them now.

 

[PatTodd]

I usually start out trying to use gloves (not the ones that come with the relaxer, some tighter fitting ones from the dollar store) but nine times out of ten I end up stripping them off. I have never had any problems with burns or anything.

 

[Dee-Licious]

i don't use gloves and my hands dont' end up feeling weird that i can remember

 

[HoneyDew]

Yes, but you know what, I can NEVER use those cheapie plastic ones that are in most kits.

I buy mine. I like the tight fitting nice latex gloves for doing my touchups. I can really feel more with those.

I use these from Sally's

 

[Isis]

I prefer not using gloves. My fingers feel and help to "see" my newgrowth when applying and smoothing. I cannot feel anything with gloves on.

Nothing negative has happened to my fingers or fingertips during my adult life of relaxing.

 

[drasgrl]

When I don't use gloves my nails get yellow and curved. The last couple of times I used gloves.

 

[Miosy]

I don't use gloves but I coat my skin with vaseline to protect from the relaxer. I barley get any on my hands because I apply with a brush

 

[Rapunzel2B]

In March I relaxed without gloves and my nice hard nails turned yellow and were more brittle. They have bounced back just fine, but next time I may use gloves because I am afraid of permanent damage over time.

 

[LongHairDreams]

When I was relaxed I used gloves. I couldn't stand the gloves that came in the box so I would use surgical gloves. They allowed me to still feel what I was doing.

 

[didirose]

I have always used gloves with a tint brush. Although I would imagine using no gloves would be easier and possibly faster. Still I wouldn't want to take a chance, hair is dead but the skin on our hands our very much alive. Be careful!

 

[DivaD04]

kudos to the ones who use gloves.....and on the other hand, to the ones who don't . I had a haircutting instructor at school with psoriasis due to relaxing w/o gloves and when it flares up...often...it was not cute.We asked him 50 million ?'s about it and basically he said his hands hurt all the time, not to mention it was always visible, and just plain out gross. Although it's to each there own...here is a little info on chemical burns. Just b/c these symptoms don't happen overnight doesn't mean it won't happen. Like alot of things these sypmtoms may take time. Even if you don't agree just take it w/ a little conssideration that it's just information and it's up to each individual on how you use it.

This is from wikipedia:

A chemical burn occurs when living tissue is exposed to a reactive chemical substance such as a strong acid or base. Chemical burns follow standard burn classification and may cause extensive tissue damage. The main types of irritant and/or corrosive products: acids, bases, oxidizers, solvents, reducing agents and alkylants.
Chemical burns may:

• need no source of heat,
• occur immediately on contact,
• be extremely painful, or
• not be immediately evident or noticeable

The exact symptoms of a chemical burn depend on the chemical involved. Symptoms include itching, bleaching or darkening of skin, burning sensations, trouble breathing, coughing blood, tissue necrosis, and death. Common sources of chemical burns include silver nitrate (AgNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), lye (NaOH), and lime (CaO). Chemical burns may occur through direct contact on body surfaces including skin and eyes, inhalation, and ingestion. Chemical fabrication, mining, medicine, and related professional fields are examples of occupations where chemical burns may occur.

 

[song_of_serenity]

this thread was directed towards people who use relaxers, addressing whether or not they used gloves.

although i am well informed on soapmaking practices and on adding oil to relaxers, i'm sure your original post will help those who are not.

i'm not sure what your original post was trying to say, but i said in my first post that i use gloves when i can. i've only appiled without gloves once, and don't plan on doing it again. so lye isn't a big deal for me. others may feel differently, and i can respect that 100%.

I honestly think she was simply responding to where you said

yes, lye is a caustic chemical, but in the 1700's and such, that's what they made soap out of. not a big deal.

and was simply stating that the chemical process between soap and relaxer is different, making one potentially harmless and rendering the other not. That's all.

I was never a self relaxer, but I couldn't see myself using it without gloves. I'd fear burns.
~*Janelle~*

 

[vestaluv1]

When I used to relax (I'm transitioning), I hardly ever used gloves ...maybe 4/5 times in 10 years.
I did this so that I could feel what I was doig better, but yes, I did have yellow nails for a few days after and I was'nt wearing nail polish.

 

[wannabelong]

I don't use gloves and I use a tint brush. I can't stand the gloves that come with the kits, they are too loose. Next time I'll try the gloves from Sally's since they fit more tightly.

 

[PassionFruit]

I never use gloves... not for perms and not even when I use permanent dye

my hands will be just fine...