Rock the South Dakota Barbering Exam 2025 – Snip Your Way to Success!

The primary ingredient in most hair relaxers is sodium hydroxide. This compound is a strong alkaline agent that works by breaking down the protein structure of the hair, allowing it to be straightened. Sodium hydroxide effectively penetrates the hair shaft, causing a chemical reaction that leads to the relaxation of tight curls and waves.

Sodium hydroxide relaxers are often referred to as "lye" relaxers, and they are known for their effectiveness in providing long-lasting straightness even in coarse and resistant hair types. The strength of sodium hydroxide is what allows these products to achieve the desired results, although it also means that proper application and post-treatment care are essential to avoid damage to the hair and scalp.

Other ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide and ammonium thioglycolate, are used in different types of hair treatments—hydrogen peroxide, for instance, acts as a bleaching agent, while ammonium thioglycolate is typically found in perm solutions as a reducing agent, which operates under a different mechanism than that of relaxers. Cream of tartar is not a common ingredient in hair relaxers, as it is primarily a baking ingredient and does not possess the chemical properties necessary for hair straightening.