Iowa Cosmetology Practice Exam

What type of chemical relaxer is safest for damaged hair?

1. Regular lye relaxer

2. Super lye relaxer

3. Mild or no-lye relaxer

4. Temporary relaxer

The correct answer is: Mild or no-lye relaxer

Choosing a mild or no-lye relaxer is the safest option for damaged hair because these types of relaxers are generally formulated to be less harsh and are designed specifically to minimize damage to already compromised hair. Mild or no-lye relaxers have a different chemical composition than lye relaxers, which typically contain sodium hydroxide and can be very caustic. This means that they do not penetrate the hair shaft as aggressively and are less likely to cause additional breakage or dryness, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of damaged hair. Furthermore, no-lye relaxers typically use calcium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide and are often paired with an activator. These ingredients can provide a gentler relaxing effect, making it a safer choice for individuals with hair that is already fragile or weakened. Considering this, while regular and super lye relaxers are effective in straightening hair textures, they can exacerbate existing damage. Temporary relaxers also do not provide long-lasting effects and are not specifically catering to hair damage treatment. Therefore, opting for a mild or no-lye relaxer is the best approach for safely addressing hair that has already suffered damage.