myronnie
Well-Known Member
So I've been thinking and reading a lot about no-lye vs lye when it comes to relaxers. I've been using ORS No-Lye for about 2 years now, and I see a marked difference in my ends (only an inch) which have been relaxed with Lye relaxers (I think they stylist used Design Essentials).
I think No-lye relaxers keep some of the natural texture in the hair and Lye relaxers strip all the texture from the hair leaving it "silkier" but nonetheless thinner than with No-lye relaxers. The silkier feel may be interpreted as healthier, but I think otherwise.
My relaxed hair with no-lye has curl, thickness, and shine. It is not straight, silky, or smooth like many want to achieve when relaxing, but i think it is healthier than my bone straight ends that are thin and lifeless at times.
SO. In conclusion, I DO NOT think that no-lye relaxers damage your hair more than Lye relaxers. But I believe some people think this because of the maintainance of curl pattern and texture after a Lye relaxer. I believe if you have fine, damaged hair, no-lye is the way to go, because it results in thicker hair and is more gentle than NaOH Lye relaxers.
Also, the pH of calcium hydroxide is 12.4 (No-lye) whereas the pH of sodium hydroxide is 13 (Lye). So lye is a harsher chemical.
I think No-lye relaxers keep some of the natural texture in the hair and Lye relaxers strip all the texture from the hair leaving it "silkier" but nonetheless thinner than with No-lye relaxers. The silkier feel may be interpreted as healthier, but I think otherwise.
My relaxed hair with no-lye has curl, thickness, and shine. It is not straight, silky, or smooth like many want to achieve when relaxing, but i think it is healthier than my bone straight ends that are thin and lifeless at times.
SO. In conclusion, I DO NOT think that no-lye relaxers damage your hair more than Lye relaxers. But I believe some people think this because of the maintainance of curl pattern and texture after a Lye relaxer. I believe if you have fine, damaged hair, no-lye is the way to go, because it results in thicker hair and is more gentle than NaOH Lye relaxers.
Also, the pH of calcium hydroxide is 12.4 (No-lye) whereas the pH of sodium hydroxide is 13 (Lye). So lye is a harsher chemical.
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