A relaxer or perm is a chemical that is used to straighten tightly coiled or kinky hair. It is mostly used by African American women to straighten their hair. The relaxer is redone every six to eight weeks on the newly grown hair, commonly referred to as new growth, that is kinky. There are some alternatives to the relaxer as it may be too harsh for some women's hair and scalp.
Heat
A pressing comb, flat iron, or blow dryer can be used to achieve some of the results of a relaxer, without any chemical damage to the hair, scalp or surrounding skin. The heat of the appliances will cause the coiled or curly hair to straighten. The results may last for several weeks depending on the texture of the pre-straightened hair. With any heat appliance used to straighten the hair, a moisturizer is used in combination with a heat protectant to achieve optimal results. The hair may revert back to its natural state if it gets wet. The hair may also become heat-trained and lose its natural texture if heat is used often.
Texturizer
Texturizers can also be used as an alternative to a relaxer. A texturizer will loosen the curls or coils in the hair, without fully straightening it. It is best to apply texturizers to hair that has not been previously chemically processed to avoid excessive hair damage. Although a texturizer can be used at home, it is best to have a hair professional perform the process to avoid damage and hair loss and to achieve the best results.
Remain Natural
Another alternative to a relaxer is to remain natural. With natural hair there may be less damage due to the smaller amounts of heat and lack of chemical used. Natural hair will also have the ability to adapt from curly to straight with no problems. Natural hair can be worn in a variety of ways and can easily be changed to suit moods and occasions.
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