Relaxer science question- All science gurus please come on in

[gymfreak336]

Okay, I have been wondering this for a while now.

What is the least damaging?

a) a mild relaxer that take you 20 minutes to process or
b) a regular relaxer that takes you 10 minutes to process

I ask because I usually use mild at home. With a mild relaxer whether or not I add oil to it, it takes 20 minutes to process and even then some areas still are not processed fully sometimes.

There is a lady who does my relaxers every now and then when my funds are low(she is a family friend so she will fit me in an hook me up for cheap) and I notice that she uses a regular relaxer but her application technique is so fast the relaxer usually isn't on my head for more than 10 minutes or so. She applies it quickly, smoothes through and gets her assistant to start rinsing me out.

What does the least amount of damage? Do they equal out or does it even matter?

With that being said, what determines the strength of a relaxer? If the levels of "lye" are different but the ph is the same of the product, is it just a matter of adding other materials to get a desired pH. Is the same amount of active ingredient but the formula of the inert materials change the quickness of delivery?

 

[Candy_C]

mild is the least damaging but could be more damaging i nthe long run if you keep underprocessing the hair sometimes, and not at other times.

the mild relaxer breaks the hair down slower

aslong as your not using super strength(!) mild or regular are decent.

 

[Neroli]

Not a science guru and can't answer all the questions, but. I think folks who are slower in applying relaxer, it is prudent to use a mild formula to give more time (this is what I do when I self-relax). If you're fast, then makes sense to use a stronger formular cuz don't need the extra time. So, don't think either is more or less damaging if appropriate processing time used for the desired straightness . . .

 

[gymfreak336]

bumping
.....

 

[Artemis]

Anyone else?

 

[beana]

I went back and forth with this same question a while ago. Not a scientific answer, but i hope this helps... Depending on your relaxer application method, i'd opt for the stronger regular strength... for instance the women who self relax use mild or add oils to their relaxers to help slow the chemical process because it may take them longer to apply...

My sis does my touch ups and it only takes her 12-15 mins total (smoothing included) to apply the relaxer. Since i dont want it in my hair long, i prefer regular to get my hair straighter in less time.

Also, the result you desire from your relaxer matters as well. If you want texlaxed hair, mild is perfect.. I like straight hair and that is what has influenced my decision to use regular from now on. I'm guaranteed straight hair in less than 15 mins with regular. btw, i have not noticed any ill effects since using the stronger formula, in fact my hair is shinier overall and easier to handle.

 

[Determined22]

Here's my scientific guess:

"Mild" relaxers probably have a lower pH (less basic/more acidic) than a "regular" relaxer. Therefore, the mild would take longer to give you the same effect on the hair, due to the lower pH, since relaxing is a process that uses base.

Given your scenario, I would think that both would do the same "damage" to your hair, since short time+stronger base = long time+weaker base.

 

[fluffylocks]

Im no expert

But i thought that mild relaxers actually did have a lower ph level, not a lower amount of lye

But anyway, i would go for regular at 10 min.-----They are both high in ph, and the shorter you keep it on the best, if you want to be safer and use mild, then i think it would be best to do mild at 10 min., because i think they would pretty much even themselves out the other way

 

[africa]

interesting thread...

I've been using mild relaxers and my hair drastically improved.