The short answer
A relaxer is a chemical hair treatment that permanently straightens tightly curled or coily afro-textured hair by breaking down some of the natural bonds that give the hair its curl, leaving it straighter and easier to comb and style. Applied as a cream and left on for a set time before being rinsed and neutralised, a relaxer lasts until new growth comes in, when the roots are touched up. There are lye and no-lye types, and because relaxers are strong chemicals, they need care and are often best applied by a professional. In the UK relaxers are sold by African and Caribbean beauty supply shops.
What to remember
- Relaxers are sold by African and Caribbean beauty supply shops in the UK.
- There are lye and no-lye types, and because they are strong chemicals, care is needed, and it is often best applied by a professional.
- It is applied as a cream, left on for a set time, then rinsed and neutralised.
- It works by breaking down some of the bonds that give the hair its curl.
- A relaxer is a chemical treatment that permanently straightens afro-textured hair.
For the African and Caribbean communities in Britain, the relaxer is a long-familiar part of hair culture, tied up with memories of salon visits, kitchen touch-ups and the sleek styles of generations.
It is the smell of the salon, the ritual of the touch-up, the pride of a fresh, straight style, and the shared knowledge of how to care for relaxed hair, passed between mothers, daughters and friends. For many it is part of the story of Black hair, one choice among many in a rich and evolving culture of caring for textured hair.
There is real knowledge in it too, in understanding how to relax and care for hair safely, when to touch up and how to keep it strong and moisturised, wisdom shared in salons and beauty supply shops across the diaspora. Whether someone relaxes their hair, wears it natural, or moves between the two, it is all part of a proud culture of Black hair care. That shared care and knowledge is the spirit behind the relaxer.
What is Relaxer?
A relaxer is a chemical product used to straighten afro-textured hair, one of the most established ways of changing tightly curled or coily hair into a straighter, smoother texture. It works by chemically breaking down some of the protein bonds inside the hair that give it its curl pattern so that the hair relaxes into a straighter shape that stays until it grows out. This makes the hair easier to comb, stretch and style straight, which is why relaxers have long been popular. Because the change is permanent on the treated hair, it does not wash out, and only new growth keeps the natural texture.
Relaxers come as a thick cream that is applied to the hair, usually avoiding the scalp as much as possible, and left on for a controlled time before being rinsed out and neutralised to stop the process. The strength and timing matter, as this is a powerful chemical process. Relaxers sit within the wider world of Black hair care we cover, alongside gentler options like the texturizer, and understanding your hair, as in our guides to low porosity hair and the strengthening protein treatment, helps you care for it well.
Types of Relaxer and How it works
Relaxers are generally divided into two main types, lye and no-lye. Lye relaxers use sodium hydroxide as the active ingredient, work quickly and effectively, and are often used by professionals. No-lye relaxers use a different chemical, usually calcium hydroxide mixed with a guanidine carbonate activator, and are common in home kits, being a little gentler on the scalp, though they can leave the hair drier. Both work in the same basic way, breaking down curl bonds, and both need to be neutralised afterwards with a neutralising shampoo to stop the chemical action and rebalance the hair.
Applying a relaxer is a careful process: the cream is smoothed onto the hair in sections, kept off the scalp where possible, left only for the recommended time, then thoroughly rinsed and neutralised, and followed with deep conditioning. Getting the timing and technique right is important to avoid over-processing, which can damage or weaken the hair, and this is a big reason many people have relaxers done professionally. This article is general hair information rather than medical advice; for the process or any scalp concern, a professional stylist is the safest guide. Applied with care, a relaxer gives a lasting straight result.
How Relaxed Hair is Cared For?
Relaxed hair needs thoughtful care to stay healthy, because the chemical process changes the hair's structure and can leave it more fragile and prone to dryness or breakage. The cornerstones are moisture and protein balance: relaxed hair benefits from regular moisturising and deep conditioning to keep it soft and hydrated, and from occasional protein treatments to keep it strong, since the two work together. Gentle handling, low heat, satin at night and regular trims all help keep relaxed hair in good condition.
A particular point of care is the new growth at the roots, the natural-textured hair that comes in as the hair grows. Where this meets the relaxed hair is a delicate line prone to breakage, so touch-ups are usually done every so often to relax just the new growth, and overlapping onto already-relaxed hair is avoided to prevent damage. Because of all this, many people choose to have relaxers and touch-ups done by a professional. This article is general hair information rather than medical advice. With good moisture, protein balance and gentle care, relaxed hair can look sleek and healthy.
Where can I Buy a Relaxer in UK?
Buying a relaxer in Britain is easy through African and Caribbean beauty supply shops, which stock a wide range of relaxer kits and products, in lye and no-lye types and different strengths for different hair, along with the neutralising shampoos, deep conditioners and protein treatments that go with them. The staff know these products well and can help you choose a suitable kit and the aftercare to go with it, and they also stock everything for looking after relaxed hair between touch-ups.
If you want a relaxer, a beauty supply shop is the best place to find the kit and the aftercare to keep your hair healthy, and for the process itself you may prefer a professional. You can find beauty supply shops near you to find relaxers and haircare in your area, and for a professional relaxer or advice, you can visit one of the African hair salons near you. Cared for well, relaxed hair is a classic, sleek style.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hair relaxer?
A relaxer is a chemical hair treatment that permanently straightens tightly curled or coily afro-textured hair by breaking down some of the natural bonds that give the hair its curl, leaving it straighter and easier to comb and style. It is applied as a cream, left on for a set time, then rinsed and neutralised, and it lasts until new growth comes in and the roots are touched up.
What is the difference between a lye and a no-lye relaxer?
Both straighten the hair in the same basic way, but they use different chemicals. Lye relaxers use sodium hydroxide, work quickly and are often used by professionals. No-lye relaxers use calcium hydroxide with an activator, are common in home kits and are a little gentler on the scalp, though they can leave hair drier. Both must be neutralised afterwards to stop the process.
What is the difference between a relaxer and a texturizer?
They use the same kind of chemistry, but to different degrees. A relaxer is left on longer to straighten the hair fully, giving a straight result. A texturizer is left on for a much shorter time, so it only loosens the curl rather than straightening it, leaving a looser curl or wave. So a relaxer straightens, while a texturizer just softens and loosens the natural texture.
How do you care for relaxed hair?
Relaxed hair needs moisture and protein balance to stay healthy, as the process can leave it fragile. Regular moisturising and deep conditioning keep it soft, and occasional protein treatments keep it strong. Gentle handling, low heat, satin at night and regular trims all help. Touch-ups relax only the new growth to protect the hair, and many people have this done professionally.
Where can I buy a relaxer in the UK?
Relaxer kits, in lye and no-lye types and different strengths, along with neutralising shampoos and conditioners, are sold by African and Caribbean beauty supply shops, where staff can help you choose. You can find beauty supply shops near you to find a relaxer and aftercare and African hair salons near you for a professional relaxer or advice. On African Stores you can find beauty supply shops and African hair salons near you across the UK.
