Hair Straightening options for short hair

hey i have about 2 inches of hair on top and 1-1/2 inch hair on sides wich is really puffy and frizzy thick and coarse and i was able to relax my hair a couple times in 3 days without the hair breaking or becoming gummy and the hair is a lot less puffier and I actually have styling options for my hair now so I say you should go along wit the relaxing!! If you get a good one without lye it really doesn't matter if it touches your scalp because mine didn't hurt at all and I used it a couple of times so do the relaxing I guarantee you'll like the results

I posted a similar question in General Hair Talk recently but it was suggested I post here.

I have very straight hair, styled in a sort of regular guy cut - maybe 1-2 inches long. My hair has always been straight and coarse. It sticks up when cut very short. I also have a couple of cowlicks, one near the front and the other at the top back of my head.

My hair stylist explained how my hair grows away from my head - sort of grows up and out as opposed to laying relatively flat against my head. This always means my hair sort of looks pouffy and thick as it grows.

At my most recent apointment she has suggested I try a hair relaxer next time. She explained that they have done this on a guy's short asian hair before (which is similar in texture to mine).

My initial question was what is a hair relaxer? But I understand now that this is a chemical process. I wondered what was involved - she was a little vague on this but just said it involved product and took about one hour. I understand that this is a permanent procedure.

Are there any alternatives? What is the shortest that hair can be to use a straightening iron and can they get close to the scalp?

Thanks

Paul