Straight talk about curly hair
What to use----and precautions to take----when you perm straight hair or relax curly hair.
Permanents and relaxers alter the chemcial structure of the hair. Permanents, which include body waves, add crul or body to naturally straight or very limp hair. Chemical hair straighteners or relaxers---they are sometimes also called "perms" because their effects are more permanent than nonchemcial hair-straightening methods---straighten curly hair, making it easier to comb and style. Both must be used with extreme care. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the only cosmetics that are harsher are depilatory creams and lotions.
Compared with other products, permanents and relaxers typically generate a high proportion of adverse-reaction complaints to the FDA. Common complaints from perm users include skin or eye irritation. Relaxer users tend to complain about hair damage or loss or about scalp irritation, which FDA officials say may be caused by not following the instructions. Common misuse includes leaving the relaxer on too long or not letting enought time pass between treatments.
Strong stuff
Dr. John Bailey, director of the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, says most leading-brand hair relaxers today "can be used safely." But Bailey adds that you must follow the instructions rigorously: "The margin for error is extemely narrow. If you don't follow the directions, you run a higher risk of some adverse reaction."
Are some products milder than others yet still strong enought to do the job? To find out, we tested ten permanent-wave products, including three professional brands; see "From Straight to Curly."
We also tested a dozen regular-strength hairprelaxers, including two professional products intended for use by a licensed beautician. The results of those tests follow.
Finally, we conducted a limited test of relaxers that are marketed for us on children's hair and super-strength adult relaxers; see "How Strong Is Too Strong?
All tests were conducted on either naturally straight or naturally curly human hair purchased form a supplier. The had not been prevously treated with dyes or other chemicals.
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Brigitte
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