Relaxers (straighteners) work by
breaking chemical bonds in curly hair. Relaxers contain LYE which can cause skin
irritation and hair breakage. Although "no LYE" relaxers may cause
less irritation, both types of relaxers can cause problems if they are used in
the wrong way (for example, if they're mixed incorrectly or left on the hair
for too long). Scratching, brushing, or combing your hair right before a
chemical relaxing treatment can increase these risks. And don't use relaxers —
or any hair treatment — if your scalp is irritated.
If you decide to keep
straightening your hair, don't treat your hair daily, you'll need to wait at
least 6 weeks before the next treatment in order to protect your hair. Relaxers can
cause hair breakage when used over a period of time, even when they're used
properly. Using blow-dryers, curling or straightening irons, or coloring on
chemically relaxed hair can also increase the risk of damage.
* Perms. Perms take straight
hair and make it curly. The risks are similar to those associated with
relaxers.
Color. There are two types of
color: permanent (which means the color stays in your hair until it grows out)
and semi-permanent (the color washes out after a while). Some semi-permanent
coloring treatments, like henna, are fairly safe and easy to use at home. Some
people get a condition called contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction with a
rash) from henna and other "natural" products, so be sure to test a small
area first.
Other color treatments — especially permanent treatments — can cause hair loss,
burning, redness, and irritation. A few types of coloring treatments can cause
allergic reactions in certain people, and in rare cases, these can be very
serious. So talk to your stylist if you are worried that you may be sensitive
to the products. Also, talk to your stylist about doing a patch test before
using a product. And never use hair dyes on your eyelashes or eyebrows.
Regular haircuts are one of the best ways to help keep hair healthy. Even if
you have long hair or you're trying to grow your hair, a haircut can help
protect the ends of your hair from splitting and damage. In fact, cutting may
actually help your hair grow better because it's healthy and not breaking off.
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