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What is an Organic Hair Relaxer?
The term "organic hair relaxer" is a misnomer. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no standards for what makes a hair care product "organic." Instead, an organic hair relaxer will use ingredients with a lesser potential of hydrogen (pH) level than traditional hair relaxers combined with creams made of soy, olive oil, and other natural products.
Curly hair has certain chemical bonds which keep the hair in a curl. Putting in relaxer changes the pH, or acid levels, breaking down the hair and uncurling it. Traditionally, hair relaxers used lye as a main ingredient, which is highly acidic and can cause scalp burns if used improperly.
A trend towards using fewer chemicals and less caustic beauty products has led to some companies developing organic hair relaxers. Some of these products use sodium bicarbonate, an acid which is gentler than lye. Though this product occurs in nature, it does not mean that it can't still burn the scalp if used improperly. Even when used correctly, an organic hair relaxer can still cause hair to become brittle from chemical exposure.
Several brands of organic hair relaxer also come with conditioning creams made of soy, olive oil, and other trendy natural ingredients. At times, the product branding will focus more on the creams that come with it, creating misleading statements about how gentle it is on the hair. Many beauty experts recommend that anyone buying hair relaxer read the labels to see the relaxer's actual ingredients. Even lye-based products are sometimes marketed as "organic" when they are the same as traditional hair relaxers.
The results from using organic hair relaxers are also different from using lye-based ones. Some gentler hair relaxers will not make curly hair entirely straight. Instead, it will give it a soft wave. Many women using natural products will also take on shorter hairstyles which are easier to style.
Other hair care enthusiasts have eschewed using chemicals altogether. Instead, they recommend using less shampoo and product overall. This works best for very dry hair, since several types of hair products strip away the scalp's natural oils. As the scalp's natural oils return to the hair, it may become easier to comb and style, though it will not become straight.
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AS FEATURED ON:
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![Lye, which is included in some organic hair relaxers.]()
By: Adam EngelhartLye, which is included in some organic hair relaxers. -
![The effects of an organic hair relaxer are not typically as pronounced as from a chemical relaxer.]()
By: sytilinThe effects of an organic hair relaxer are not typically as pronounced as from a chemical relaxer. -
![Using less shampoo is actually one of the most natural ways to relax hair.]()
By: Roman GorielovUsing less shampoo is actually one of the most natural ways to relax hair. -
![Hair relaxers are often used by African American women.]()
By: and.oneHair relaxers are often used by African American women. -
![Some gentle hair relaxers are formulated specifically for use on thick, curly hair.]()
By: indirasworkSome gentle hair relaxers are formulated specifically for use on thick, curly hair. -
![Several organic hair relaxer products are made with olive oil.]()
By: tycoon101Several organic hair relaxer products are made with olive oil. -
![A neutralizing shampoo is typically used during the process of relaxing the hair.]()
By: Valua VitalyA neutralizing shampoo is typically used during the process of relaxing the hair.
Discussion Comments
A product made entirely of natural oils might be "organic," but it can't be a relaxer by definition. A relaxer is a hair straightening product and natural oils can't straighten hair.
So the terms organic and relaxer really don't go together at all. Something can either be organic or a relaxer, it can't be both. It's true that many brands claim it, but they're just trying to sell their products.
@turquoise-- That's a good question but difficult to answer.
I think organic relaxers may contain chemicals and still be called "organic." The same probably applies to natural hair relaxers because like the article said, the FDA doesn't regulate any of this.
I think the best way to differentiate these products is to look at the ingredients list. If a relaxer contains chemicals, it's a chemical relaxer even if organic or natural moisturizers like olive oil are included. If a hair relaxer is made of all natural or organic ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil and shea butter, you can call it an organic hair product.
What is the difference between organic hair relaxers and all natural hair relaxers? Which is better?
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