Many girls are concerned about their appearance, especially if they will attend a special occasion, and so are guys. Then, a hair relaxer for men will be helpful. The hair relaxer is essential because the curly and tangled hair makes it hard to get a top-notch look. Therefore, you will need this product.
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What is Hair Relaxer?
Many people are confusing hair relaxers for men with perms and texturizers. Well, they provide different treatments and results. A perm is a process of altering your natural hair structure, which usually tends to be straight. This way, you can wave or curl it permanently.
This process entails chemical treatment that breaks down the hair’s natural molecule structure, the peptide bonds. After that, you can insert some rods in your hair to curl it. However, like the Africans, black people consider a perm as a chemical treatment that they can use to straighten their curly hair.
Meanwhile, texturizer is like a hair relaxer for men, yet it is milder. Therefore, instead of straightening your natural curl patterns, a texturizer will relax the hair so that you can style it easily.
This chemical-based process is a safe bet for those who have dark hair. Otherwise, a hair relaxer for men is a chemical-based process that will completely straighten your hair.
It results in a sleek straight pattern that you cannot get from perms and texturizer.
Why do I Need Hair Relaxer for Men?
Guess what? Bad hair day is for both women and men.
Some guys have curly hair, which makes them less confident. Comb it thoroughly is highly challenging, let alone style it to your desire. Therefore, you need a relaxing product.
A hair relaxer for men, as the name suggests, will make your hair relaxed, meaning you can comb and style it easily.
Types of Hair Relaxer for Men
You will find two types of hair relaxers for men. They are lye and no-lye. No-lye relaxers have calcium hydroxide. You will typically find them at a beauty supply store or a drugstore because they are not as strong as its counterpart is. The drawback of no-lye relaxers is they may leave calcium deposits on your hair, resulting in dry, brittle textures that are usually prone to breakage.
Lye-relaxers, on the other hand, are more robust than the type above. Thereupon, these products are not available in stores. Only professionals can access them. This type of hair relaxer for men contains sodium hydroxide that you usually use as a drain cleaner. Therefore, it might cause scalp burns.
What is the Best Hair Relaxer for Me?
Before applying a hair relaxer for men, you need to know what to choose between the lye and no-lye.
If you have curly, frizzy hair, you had better opt for a lye relaxer. The sodium hydroxide compound will straighten your hair more quickly. However, if you have sensitive skin and scalp, you had better avoid it and prefer no-lye instead.
Some hair relaxers for men contain a large number of chemicals, and thus they can damage your color-treated hair. For this reason, you should invest in specific relaxing products that include extracts of natural ingredients.
Possible Side Effects of Hair Relaxers for Men
Now, before purchasing a hair relaxer for men, you should consider the effects that it may cause.
Scalp Irritation
As you know that some products contain sodium hydroxide that may damage your hair. It can also cause mild discomfort of the scalp, redness, and itchiness in the area you apply.
The irritation should last for a few days. If it has not been over yet, you may need to see a doctor since the chemicals are too harsh.
Chemical Burns
Hair relaxer for men contains chemicals. When you use the product and unintentionally leave it for too long, your skin begins to break down. Then, you will experience severe chemical burns.
The burns happen because your damaged skin absorbs the chemicals, which makes it feels excruciating. Besides, it can also affect the growth of natural hair.
Hair Damage
When you use chemical-based treatments, including hair relaxers for men, relentlessly, you soon notice that your hair becomes weak. Then, the strands begin to break, resulting in a receding hairline. You may also have balding spots on the head.
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Best Hair Relaxers for Men You Can Find in Stores
You may come across a lot of hair relaxers for men in stores, along with their reviews. If you are still perplexed, you can consider these best products.
No-Lye Relaxers
These relaxers are probably safe, although they contain chemicals such as calcium hydroxide, guanidine carbonate, ammonium hydroxide, etc.
- Dr. Miracle’s Feel It Formula Thermalceutical Intensive
- Soft & Beautiful No-Lye Crème Relaxer System.
- Avlon Affirm Fiberguard Sensitive Scalp Crème Relaxer
- Organic R/s Root Stimulator Olive Oil No-Lye Relaxer
- Mizani Butter Blend Sensitive Scalp Relaxer
Lye Relaxers
Although you can find these relaxers in stores, you had better consult a hair professional because they contain sodium hydroxide.
- Mizani Butter Blen Medium/Normal Relaxer
- Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Oil Relaxer
- Revlon Professional Conditioning Crème Relaxer
- Avlon – Affirm Crème Relaxer
- Linange Shea Butter Relaxer
- TCB No Base Crème Hair Relaxer with Protein and DNA (Many Africans and Americans use this product, too)
Natural Hair Relaxers for Men
If you are sensitive to the chemicals in the hair relaxer, you can make it yourself using some natural ingredients that you can shop around in your pantry.
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Olive oil
Instead of straightening your hair with chemical relaxers that may damage the strains, you had better use olive oil.
Olive oil is natural; thus, it will not cause you any trouble. Here is how to do the treatment:
- Take ¼ cup of olive oil.
- Heat it until it is warm enough.
- Remove the oil from heat, and you can begin to apply it over your hair thoroughly.
- Grab a warm towel and use it to wrap your hair.
- Use a hairdryer to apply heat to the towel for about 10 minutes.
- Let the olive oil sit for about 2 hours.
- Apply a mild shampoo to wash your hair.
Olive oil will make your hair relaxed and moisturize it – something that you cannot get from chemical-based relaxers.
Repeat those steps every 4 or 5 days to get the best results.
Milk
Milk is renowned for being nutritious, and it is available in the kitchen. This product can be a natural hair relaxer, too.
To use milk as a relaxer, you need to pour some into a squirt bottle or a spray gun. After that, begin spraying it to your hair thoroughly.
Next, wrap your hair with a warm cloth or towel for an hour. Then, rinse it well. Finally, you will notice a change in the texture.
Honey
Many shampoos contain honey, meaning it is a good and nutritious thing that your hair probably needs.
To make a hair relaxer from honey, you need to combine 1 part honey, ½ parts caramel, ½ parts olive oil, and ½ parts lemon juice.
Spread the mixture on your hair thoroughly for about 15 minutes. Finally, rinse it off.
Coconut Cream
Coconut cream is also a popular natural hair relaxer.
If you want to try it, you will need to boil four tablespoons of coconut cream extract. After that, add two tablespoons of organic coconut oil. Then, mix in 12oz of yogurt.
Use the mixture to spread on your hair. Start applying the coconut cream from the scalp to the tips thoroughly for an hour. Finally, wash it off.
How to Apply Hair Relaxer for Men
If you have tried a hair relaxer product but do not get the results you want, you might have misapplied it.
Here are the steps of how to use it well.
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Do Not Wash Your Hair
It is essential that you not wash your hair for around 7 or 10 days before applying the hair-relaxing product.
The natural oils that build up in the strains are effective in layers and protect them from chemical damage.
Take Some Precautions
It is essential to perform a patch test before applying the product to your whole head if it has adverse effects on you.
Remember not to let it touch your scalp directly. However, this product seems to be a bit tricky. Therefore, you will need Vaseline to coat your skin near the strains.
Apply the Hair Relaxer for Men Carefully and Thoroughly
If you are sure that the product you are using does not have significant side effects, it is time for you to straighten your hair.
- Apply the hair relaxer with a brush and gloves. Never touch your scalp to avoid the burning sensation.
- Comb through your hair with the relaxer still on it
- Leave it for 20 minutes
After Applying Hair Relaxer for Men
Once you have applied the hair relaxer, wait for about 20 minutes.
Then, wash it off with neutralizing shampoo three times. Next, you will probably need to apply a conditioner. Finally, you can style your hair.
Above all, a hair relaxer for men can solve your problem. However, consult your stylist and take precautions before using it.
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