By definition, a hair relaxer is a lotion or cream that makes the hair easier to straighten and manage. It reduces the curl by breaking down the hair strand and chemically altering the texture. Most women who decide to get their hair relaxed have curly hair who want it to be stick straight without any frizz.

What does relaxer do to the hair?

How Do Hair Relaxers Work? Hair relaxers straighten hair by penetrating the cuticle and the cortex layers of the hair shaft to loosen the natural curl pattern. This process leaves the hair weak, brittle and prone to breakage. It can even burn your skin, cause permanent damage to the scalp and lead to hair loss.

How long does hair relaxer last?

How long do relaxers last? “Depending on your hair texture and growth, relaxers last from six to 12 weeks before needing a re-touch,” says Sanders.