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Hair relaxers have been around for years, and you may wonder how do relaxers work and what are Lye vs No Lye Relaxers? One of the hair relaxer benefits is that they are a great way for straightening afro-textured hair permanently. As for myself, I have tried both a lye and no-lye relaxer on my different hair textures.
Although I am biased toward lye relaxers, I wanted to review what lye and no-lye relaxers are. As a child, lye relaxers were used on my hair. However, as a teenager, I used no-lye hair chemically treated relaxer alternatives that a professional stylist had applied.
I noticed that my hair was healthier and longer when I had a lye relaxer. However, it also still had a lot of texture and curls compared to when I had a no-lye hair relaxer treatment.
Currently, I use a mild relaxer to texturize my strands with a professional hair relaxer with one of the best lye relaxer brands, Motions. I would recommend this brand as it is the best relaxer for coarse hair.
What is the Difference Between Lye vs No Lye Relaxers?
The main difference between lye vs no lye relaxer hair treatment is the chemicals used in professional relaxers. Lye relaxers contain sodium hydroxide, which is the active ingredient. No lye relaxers mainly contain calcium hydroxide mass.
You may ask: what is a calcium hydroxide based relaxer? With calcium hydroxide relaxers, aka no-lye, the calcium tends to make the hair dryer than usual. One of these hair relaxer benefits is its mildness on the scalp.
I would recommend that no base relaxers be used for someone who has a sensitive scalp when you relax hair. But if you can not tolerate a dry hair look, then a lye relaxer may benefit you in comparison to no lye relaxer vs lye relaxer. No lye relaxers are also great if you have and sensitive scalp and would recommend using a sensitive relaxer
What is a no base relaxer? With a lye relaxer, you may ask: what is the active ingredient in all hydroxide relaxers? and the answer is lye. They are much harsher on the scalp. For this reason, I recommend that you touch up your scalp with an oil-based grease containing petroleum jelly. Lye relaxers will also be less drying on the hair shaft. This is why I am an advocate of lye relaxers for added moisturizing properties.
In comparison to no base vs no lye relaxer, when I experimented with a no-lye relaxer as an adult, my hair became very weak, and I could not tolerate this kind of relaxer. When it was time for a touch-up, my hair would overprocess and break off. After this experience with no-lye relaxers, I vowed never to use a box relaxer again.
Since I switched back to lye in hair relaxer after going natural again, my hair has been thriving, and I can do styling my hair in a wash and go in terms of a no lye relaxer vs texturizer for a relaxer for curly hair.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Lye Relaxer?
Pros:
- The tub is good for more than one application
- sodium hydroxide relaxers also known as lye relaxers can provide texture and loosen the curl with a mild strength formula
- strong and hydrated cuticle and follicles that are not dry and have less frizz
Cons:
- can cause breakage 4c hair if not maintained regularly
- can be very harsh on the scalp and cause burns and scabs.
What Are the Pros and Cons of No-lye Relaxers?
Pros:
- benefits of no-lye relaxer for Lye vs No Lye Relaxers are that it is a quick and easy process with one application
- gentle on the scalp
- Straightforward to find
Cons:
- can be harsher on the hair
- can cause breakage if not properly maintained
- only one application per box
- hair will be dryer and weaker
So, Which Relaxer is Best for Damaged hair: Lye vs No Lye Relaxers
Regular Conditioning Creme Relaxer
As for Lye vs No Lye Relaxers, my preference is for lye relaxer brands also used mostly in a salon, but I hope I was able to supply you with the knowledge to help determine which relaxer is suitable for you. Should I Use a lye vs no lye hair relaxer? The purpose of this post is to equip you will the knowledge needed to make good decisions to pick the right relaxer.
I wanted to voice my opinion on recommending the best kind of relaxer and compare lye relaxer vs no lye. So far, I have had good experiences using motions lye relaxers and affirm relaxer steps lye relaxers, which are some of the best lye relaxer on the market. Keep in mind that these relaxers are lye relaxers and mild hair relaxer. I would recommend these relaxers to Someone with thick and coarse 4a hair over a no-lye relaxer. What does sodium hydroxide do to hair? A sodium hydroxide relaxer is not as harsh on the hair as no-lye.
Should I use the no-lye relaxer?
When it comes to Lye vs No Lye Relaxers, in all honesty, I must point out that, like I mentioned earlier, my preference for relaxers is a lye relaxer after having a bad experience with a no-lye relaxer in my adult years, and suffered hair loss.
To make a long story short and the no-lye relaxer side effects, I had my first touch, which I completed myself with ORS no lye box relaxer. When it was time for a retouch of the roots, I could not find this relaxer at stores close to me and tried a different brand (lusters smooth touch no lye box hair relaxer). My hair fell out when I would rinse out the relaxer with neutralizing shampoo, and it was just a nightmare. Now I am not sure why my hair fell out after this relaxer application, but I vowed never to use no lye again after all the hard work I put into growing my hair.
Best Hair Relaxer Brands:
Best No lye Relaxer for Black Hair:
Some of the best no lye relaxer brands include:
- ORS Olive oil
- Africas Best
- Profective Mega Growth
Lye Relaxer Brands:
Some of the best lye relaxer brands include:
- Motions
- ORS olive oil
- Mizani
Conclusion
I hope that you found this blog post about Lye vs No Lye Relaxers and hair products in your haircare regimen and for healthy hair. You may see these two different types (no lye vs lye relaxer for hair) of relaxers around you in beauty supply distributors.
With two different options available, it is crucial to understand what the differences between Lye vs No Lye Relaxers are.
Hi, I’m Danian, the creator of Natalie Mochin’s Beauty Blog — a space dedicated to real, experience-based hair care tips, healthy hair advice, and hair growth inspiration. As a hairdresser in training, I share practical routines, product recommendations, and lessons from my hands-on salon experience — all fueled by my love for coffee, cats, and dogs.


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