No, no hair relaxer is considered completely safe. Even those marketed as "no-lye" pose potential risks due to the chemicals involved and scalp exposure.
Here's a breakdown:
- Chemical Composition: Hair relaxers, even those marketed as safer alternatives, contain potent chemicals designed to break down the hair's protein structure to straighten it.
- Scalp Exposure: The application process inevitably leads to scalp exposure, which increases the risk of chemical absorption into the body. According to research, parabens, phthalates and other chemicals that are often found in chemical hair straighteners pose a greater risk than other products because of scalp exposure.
- Potential Risks: While specific risks can vary depending on the formulation, potential health concerns associated with hair relaxer use include (but aren't limited to):
- Skin irritation and burns
- Hair damage and breakage
- Potential hormonal disruption from certain chemicals
- Increased risk of certain health conditions (research ongoing)
Because of these factors, claiming any hair relaxer to be "safe" is misleading. The risks associated with their use, while potentially mitigated through careful application and infrequent use, cannot be completely eliminated.
