Hair Relaxers: Debunking the Myth

Chemical Column

Hair Relaxers became very popular in the 80’s,

after people realized the jheri curl couldn’t give

them versatility and was too greasy. No lye

relaxers were formulated due to the complaints of burning

from women who were getting relaxer services. No lye

relaxers were presented as a gentler/milder form of relaxer

without the lye.

Women happily grabbed boxes of relaxer and applied their

chemicals at home to save money, and for convenience.

When they’re hair became dry and brittle, and began to

shed they couldn’t understand why their hair did not look

like the models on the boxes.

The reason: The no lye relaxers come in two forms, calcium

hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. (CaOH is the chemical

formula for calcium hydroxide.) The OH at the end of

this compound is actually the base/lye component. The

calcium causes deposits on the hair, causing it to become

dry and brittle.

Because hair consists of three layers and relaxer penetrates

to the seond layer of the hair to break polypeptide

(protein) bonds. The cuticle (first layer of the hair) remains

open if relaxer is just rinsed and neutralized after processing.

(Which causes splitting, shedding, and breakage.)

In 2007 Diva By Cindy hair care company developed a three

step condition hair relaxer system, which would resolve this

problem. A sodium hydroxide (NaOH) relaxer containing
 

 

Cindy Tawiah is C.E.O. of Diva by Cindy Hair Products and Diva by Cindy Salon.

After graduating college with a degree in Chemistry and working as a nurse for

years, Cindy finally followed her dream to make beauty products for ethnic women.

Diva by Cindy started in 2009 and it focuses manufacturing products infused

with Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) and no alcohol, promoting healthy hair growth.

Cindy strives to help prevent hair breakage, reduce shedding, and stimulate the

scalp. While her products promote healthy hair growth, Cindy’s other projects

promote helping others in need. Diva by Cindy strives to “minister through hair

care” by providing support and help for women in tough situations. To learn more,

 

Neutralizing Shampoo

aloe and shea butter was developed. (The aloe is to soothe

and prevent burns, and the shea butter to moisturize).

After the relaxer is rinsed a product called the Stabilizer

Plus (or the Ultimate Treatment) is applied. This product

seals the cuticle or hair shaft, and rearranges the polypeptide

or protein bonds which were broken. Because

the pH of hair is acidic and relaxer is a base/or alkali, the

pH of the stabilizer is a 3 (acidic). The purpose of the stabilizer

is to bring hair back to its normal acid mantle pH.

Process: Relax hair, rinse relaxer, apply stabilizer, rinse

after 2-3 minutes, and shampoo with Diva By Cindy

Neutralizer. Shedding and breakage is a thing of the

past, now women can enjoy straighter hair with body

and bounce. Healthy hair can be attained by all who

wish to relax their hair.

 

Cindy Tawiah
Tel: (410)581-9337 Email: Cindy@divabycindy.com Website: www.divabycindy.com