WHICH IS BETTER LYE OR NO LYE RELAXERS?
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Category: African American Hair
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URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=54524
Printed Date: July 26 2025 at 7:00pm
Topic: WHICH IS BETTER LYE OR NO LYE RELAXERS?
Posted By: nickyp
Subject: WHICH IS BETTER LYE OR NO LYE RELAXERS?
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 4:46pm
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could someone please help me understand the difference between the two. Is one more damaging than the other. some people say lye is better and some say no lye please help very confused. I just purchased a lye relaxer and i'm going to wait until i hear from someone before i use it. p.s. could you name some good relaxers. ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: digitaldiva
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 9:16pm
Are you using a box perm or going to the stylist? Lye relaxers are best. They have more conditioning agents and oils. I read a book by a guy named Shamboosie that's been doing have for the past 30 years. Here is his link. You can find his book on Amazon by typing in his name. http://shamboosie.blogstream.com/ ------------- AS OF 5/25/2007 4A 10 1/2' in the top 10 on the sides 3 1/2 in the back GOAL BSL |
nickyp wrote:Posted By: BeautyWitch
Date Posted: July 15 2007 at 11:31pm
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Lye is gentler on the hair but harsher on the scalp which is the total opposite for No-Lye. When you use Lye you can always base the scalp first to avoid burns. But the active ingredient in No-Lye (Calcium Hydroxide) forms a film on your hair (kinda like what you see on the shower head sometimes), and after a while preventing it form absorbing moisture or anything you put on. This will cause breakage eventually. ------------- http://www.fotki.com/beautywitch - My Pics 
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Posted By: itsanobsession
Date Posted: September 22 2007 at 8:32pm
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this is a hard topic, lol.
This is the simple, straight-to-the-point answer:
Both relaxers damage. But in the long run, LYE will damage LESS when applied by a professional stylist (do NOT attempt to apply at home!) ------------- 
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Posted By: Aggie
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 10:39pm
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Hi Nickp, Firstly, no-lye relaxers are best for 'do-it-yourselfers' and is recommended for people with fine hair, children, those with sensitive scalp, and for those who prefer straighter relaxed hair.They are easier on the scalp (has a lower pH than a lye relaxer) and harder on the hair because they leave mineral deposits on the hair that make it less able to absorb moisture. Bear in mind that hard water can also leave high levels of mineral deposits on the hair shaft. This is where chelating shampoos come in - formulated to remove these harsh mineral deposits left on the hair by a relaxer or hard water.
What can you do?
1) First, protect your hair by covering the already existing processed hair with either conditioner or oil prior to relaxing. This will reduce bond breakage, and prevent minerals from depositing easily along the hair shaft. Profectiv's Break Free is great for this step as well. It is highly recommended to carefully follow the manufacturer's timing instructions to prevent over-processing even if you not experiencing any burning.
2) Following the relaxer, use a chelating/neutralizing shampoo to lift any minerals that may have been deposited along the cuticle to reduce dryness - Kenra Clarifying Shampoo, Nexxus Aloe Rid, Mizani Phormula 7, or Joico Resolve are great to try. Chelating removes the buildup that leads to relaxer dryness so they remain soft and receptive of moisture treatment.
3) Select a quality relaxer brand eg., Mizani and Affirm. If you choose a the no-lye relaxer route, invest in a trusted, professional relaxer brand that is preferably either lithium or potassium hydroxide based to avoid mineral buildup.
Secondly, lye relaxers are the preferred formula of the salon industry. As far as which one is better, the truth is that any relaxer is only as good as the person applying it and the person maintaining it afterwards. Lye relaxers are harder on the scalp (the pH of lye relaxers can exceed 13 on a 1-14 scale) and easier on the hair (they don't leave dulling deposits on the hair shaft, and therefore do not interfere with the hair's ability to absorb moisture.
They do not straighten the hair as completely as no-lye relaxers. They process faster than no-lye relaxers and therefore must be applied quickly to avoid damage to the hair fibre. This is why it is better for a highly trained professional stlyist to apply a lye relaxer.
What can you do?
1) Avoid damage from these relaxers by basing your scalp well prior to relaxing, using a thick layer of petroleum base to the scalp and sensitive areas around the neck, ears and face.
2) To counteract the cuticle lifting and swelling damage from lye relaxing, protein conditioning should take place immediately after removing the relaxer but before a neutralizing shampoo is used. This helps to rebuild the cuticle and return the scales to their normal orientation. This step can also be done with no-lye relaxer systems.
Both lye and no-lye relaxers have downsides. Remember, the one that is easier on the scalp can still damage the hair and the one that is easier on the hair can still damage the scalp. You can end up bald and chemically burned with both types. Relaxers by their very nature damage both hair and scalp if they come in contact with it. Lye or no-lye, chemicals are chemicals - and if something goes wrong with either one, permanent hair and scalp damage can occur and they both solvable issues.
Thanks to Sistaslick, the above information was found on http://www.associatedcontent.com - www.associatedcontent.com , written by her. I've put a lot of her hair guidelines into practice, and I gatta tell ya, she knows what she's talkin' about.
Bahama mama, "Enjoyed my stay, but He'll take me away like a thief in the night."
------------- Bahama Mama...Enjoyed my stay, but He'll take me away like a thief in the night!! I'm ready now Lord, so take me by surprise. |
Posted By: Dawn Henderson
Date Posted: October 14 2007 at 9:06pm
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Hello Ladies,
I am of mixed ethnicity (black/white). I'm researching relaxing treatments for my very thick, but fairly fine, curly hair. It is also processed with blond highlights.
I don't want to use a traditional Lye or no-lye relaxer. I've been looking into the CHI straightening system (Cationic Hydration Interlink), which I have heard good and some very bad stories about. I have also done some research on the Brazilian Hair Straighening system, The Alterna Straightening system and the Liscio Straightening system. Most of these use protein to straighten. However, too much of a good thing can cause dry scalp, "bent" hair at the roots and eventual breakage.
Does anyone have any experience with any of these types of straignening systems? Please advise if so. Thank you. ------------- Dawn Henderson |