How to reverse hair relaxer?

Author: Clara Bartoletti V  |  Last update: Sunday, June 1, 2025

Can You Strip a Relaxer From Hair? The only answer to this question is "no." "There really is no such thing as stripping relaxer from hair because once texture has been removed, you can't put it back," says Branch. "Any such process would significantly damage hair further.

How do I get my relaxer back to natural hair?

The first step is to stop relaxing your hair. It is that simple. There is nothing that you can buy and pour on your hair that will revert it to natural hair from relaxed hair. If you stop relaxing your hair, your new growth will be all natural. Over time, you can cut the new growth and Voila! you have natural hair.

How to take relaxer out of your hair?

Unfortunately, a relaxer permanently alters the texture of your hair. The only way to get rid of it is to either grow it out and gradually cut off the relaxed ends (or grow it to a certain point and cut all of the relaxed ends) or just shave your hair off and start over.

Are hair relaxers reversible?

The length of time the treatment lasts. Relaxers are permanent. If you get relaxed hair wet, it doesn't revert. If you get flat ironed hair wet, it will revert. So if you wash your hair one or two weeks later, you can either have mostly straight hair (except for any new growth) or no straight hair.

How long does it take to get relaxer out of your hair?

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.

How to Reverse Hair Relaxer

How do I get my hair straight without a relaxer?

All you need is a flat iron or a straightener and a heat-protectant spray to avoid damaging your hair. For the best results, you can divide your hair into tiny sections and straighten them.

How to neutralize hair relaxer?

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.

Will my hair grow back after relaxer damage?

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.

How long does it take to turn relaxed hair to natural hair?

The transitioning process can last a few months to over a year. And as your healthy hair journey continues, you'll learn what works for your unique texture. To help make the process easier, we've put together this guide on how to transition to natural hair.

Can relaxer be washed out?

When it comes time to wash the relaxer out, be thorough: rinse out as much as possible first, before using a neutralizing shampoo. This bit is important – you don't want to leave any of those chemicals on your scalp.

What can I use to reverse a perm?

Go to a hair salon and have them put perm neutralizer in your hair. No amount of washing at home will get the perm out, and putting in a straightening at home relaxer will cause some serious hair damage. Either that, or wait until the perm grows out.

How to reverse a texturizer?

The only sure way of ridding your hair of an over-processed texturizer is by cutting the damaged parts of your hair and allowing your healthier, natural hair grow out in due time.

Can you reverse relaxer damage?

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.

Can you undo relaxed hair?

Can You Strip a Relaxer From Hair? The only answer to this question is "no." "There really is no such thing as stripping relaxer from hair because once texture has been removed, you can't put it back," says Branch. "Any such process would significantly damage hair further.

How to stop relaxing hair?

The only way to permanently remove the relaxer from your hair is to cut the relaxed hair. Getting a relaxer is a permanent straightening process and is not reversible.

How do I get my natural relaxer back in my hair?

Here's a Timeline of What You Can Expect:

Trim an inch of relaxed hair every six to eight weeks. Month 6: With two to three inches of new growth, you can now see your natural curl pattern. To achieve one-texture hair, hairstylist Tippi Shorter recommends using roller or rod sets to get an allover curly look.

Is hair loss from relaxer reversible?

You might also get sores on your scalp following a relaxer session, in addition to the burning. That difficult situation may result in infection or permanent hair loss due to relaxer use.

How can I repair my hair after relaxer damage?

Here are some options:
  1. Protein treatments: Relaxers can strip the hair of its natural proteins, so using a protein treatment can help to strengthen and repair the hair. ...
  2. Deep conditioning treatments: Deep conditioning treatments can help to restore moisture to the hair, which is often lost when using relaxers.

Can you reverse the effects of hair relaxer?

The answer for this is simple, you can't. When hair is relaxed the chemical bonds in hair are permanently dissolved. This process cannot be reversed in order to become natural. If you want to go natural you can either transition, big chop or do the stepped chop.

How do you get relaxer out of your hair fast?

Since relaxer cannot be stripped from your hair, the only way to get rid of it right away is to cut it all off. This haircut, often called the big chop, removes all of your relaxed hair and leaves your natural hair to grow out on its own.

How long does it take for a hair relaxer to wear off?

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.

What can I do instead of relaxer?

Some of the non-toxic and safer alternatives that you can use to straighten your hair include:
  • Blow-drying. Rather than using a hair relaxer, blow-drying your hair might prove helpful. ...
  • Heat styling. ...
  • Keratin treatments. ...
  • Oil treatment. ...
  • Silicone cream.

How to turn curly hair into straight hair permanently?

4 Types of Permanent Hair Straightening
  1. Keratin Treatment. Keratin treatments are one popular hair straightening technique. ...
  2. 2. Japanese Treatment. Another method of permanent hair straightening are Japanese treatments, also known as thermal reconditioning. ...
  3. Hair Rebonding Treatment. ...
  4. Hair Relaxing.

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