Some people grow their hair out to a certain length, while other cut the relaxer off sooner. On average most people transition for 6 months to 2 years.
Whether you decide to do a big chop or gradually grow out a relaxer, it's going to take at least three to four months to start to see real change. For some, it may be a full year before you're completely chemical-free.
Relaxers are permanent, so whatever parts of your hair that have been in contact with a relaxer will never grow back naturally. Therefore, at some point in time your hair must be cut off to above the demarcation line. If you're not willing to go for the big chop, the next step is to do regular trims of your hair.
In fact, the only surefire way to remove a relaxer is to cut off the processed hair, which is commonly referred to as “the big chop.” If you're not comfortable with the idea of cutting your hair off, allow enough time to regrow your strands first.
You can gradually grow out your relaxer without cutting your hair or doing what is known as the big chop.
Once you fully transition, you will find your natural curls may become drier much faster than your straight relaxed hair. Even though your relaxed ends will eventually go, it is still important to keep your strands from top to bottom moisturised. After all, your hair is still on your head.
For most people, perm curls fall out within three to six months, reverting to your normal hair texture.
Because hair relaxers contain lye, they can damage your hair and scalp if used incorrectly, and even cause hair loss.
For this purpose, a neutral pH or acidic pH shampoo is applied to the hair to neutralize and remove residual alkaline material from the hair and scalp. In use, after rinsing the hair of most of the excess relaxer composition, the shampoo neutralizer is applied to the hair.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, curly hair relaxers should be repeated every two to three months to keep strands straight, and only to new growth. If not, hair will go back to its naturally curly state.
Apparently, Coca-Cola contains phosphoric acid, a very low pH. So when you apply it to your hair, the cuticle tightens, which makes your strands look smoother and your curls look more defined. Others say the sugar adds build-up to your hair, making it look fuller.
Relaxer is a chemical hair product applied in a salon that straightens curly hair. Unfortunately, relaxer can't be removed from your hair once you've had it applied, so the only option is to wait for your hair to grow out or cut off your relaxed hair.
While it's a myth that relaxers make hair grow faster, the truth is they can actually hinder hair growth in several ways: Making hair weaker and more prone to breakage: The chemicals in relaxers weaken your hair's natural structure, making it more susceptible to breakage and split ends.
Trim 1⁄2–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) off your ends every 4-6 weeks. If you like the length of your hair and don't want to chop it all off to get rid of your perm, practice patience and cut off just a bit every month. This way, you'll progressively cut off your permed hair without sacrificing length.
In conclusion, using a neutralizing shampoo after undergoing chemical treatments is crucial for maintaining the health and appearance of your hair. Failing to do so may lead to damage, color changes, poor retention of the chemical treatment, dryness and breakage, and scalp irritation.
In most cases, if you move quickly, your client's damaged relaxed hair can be repaired, but it all comes down to how stressed out their strands really are. If it's a case of boosting hydration and taming frizz, treating hair to deep treatments and moisturizers can make a big difference.
Those who say they've experienced healthy relaxed hair, such as influencer Brianna Rashay, recommend getting hair chemically straightened by a professional, “stretching” their retouch days, regularly trimming, alternating between protective styles, having a consistent wash day, and deep moisture regime.
If the chemical burn caused by your hair relaxer was severe, it may also leave scars across the scalp. In this instance, the burnt areas are unlikely to fully regrow hair and may result in areas of permanent baldness where the follicles have been destroyed.
If you are unhappy with your perm service, go back to your stylist and discuss the alternatives. If it is too curly, your stylist can relax it. If it is not curly enough, wait at least a week to redo it.
Scientifically speaking, relaxers break the disulphide bonds that are found deep inside your hair fibres, reforming them while the hair is held straight; essentially, they work by reshaping your hair fibres directly. This means they need to be pretty powerful, so it's worth taking the time to use them properly.