Even though relaxants have done it; Sodium hydroxide, guanidine hydroxide, ammonium thioglycollate, lithium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide as active ingredient, most box relaxants contain calcium hydroxide. Now, there are a few reasons why boxed perms shouldn’t be part of the hair care routine for African American women.
One reason is that, with frequent use, the calcium in these straighteners will coat your hair. This coating will seal your locks and won’t allow moisture to get in, which is very bad news; especially if you’re getting a straightener and your hair is naturally coarse (coarse hair has a tendency to be naturally drier, making this twice as bad).
Once the hair is covered, it will need to be peeled back to hydrate and revive it. Using ready-to-use straighteners will eventually cause your hair to develop a reddish ‘tint’, with no color or reflections. The reason this happens is because your locks are getting so dry that the color is starting to lighten. People may think that they have some kind of natural reflections (they probably think this is due to the sun) but the truth is that this is not the case.
Depending on your hair’s texture and condition, anything that dries out your hair will make it weak, brittle, and extremely prone to breakage.
Even though box relaxers have pictures of children, I HIGHLY suggest parents avoid them at all costs.
Relaxing the head of a child who has not been through adolescence has immediate and long-term consequences.
Because boys have not gone through puberty, their bodies (and skin) are still developing, and as a result, they are more likely to have long-term skin and scalp problems.
When this happens, instead of addressing and correcting the issues in question, many people turn to cosmetic enhancements and, unfortunately, any unresolved issues they have get worse over time.
Lastly, the fact that companies retail over-the-counter chemicals at wholesale prices is VERY misleading.
It gives the public the idea that the entire process of applying chemicals to the head of an adult or a child is so simple and easy that it can be done from the comfort of your home, without the presence of a professional.
It makes people believe that there are few or no consequences for relaxing hair at home, when the truth is that the sooner you start using chemicals on children, the worse the long-term effects will be.
The problems that can occur from misuse or long-term use can be extreme. Skin and scalp problems mean more visits to the dermatologist, fake hair in the form of weave or wigs, and not to mention the almost irreversible damage that can occur from self-esteem issues.