Why should sodium hydroxide relaxers never be used on hair that has been treated with thio products?

Why should sodium hydroxide relaxers never be used on hair that has been treated with thio products?

• A. It Can Cause Hair to Break or Melt
• B. It Can Cause Scalp Irritation
• C. It Can Cause Color Fading
• D. It Can Cause Excessive Curl

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that thio-based treatments and sodium hydroxide relaxers are chemically incompatible, so using them in sequence can severely damage the hair. Thio products reduce disulfide bonds in the cortex, leaving the hair in a weakened state. A sodium hydroxide relaxer then applies an extremely alkaline environment to break more bonds and restructure them for straightening. This combination pushes the hair beyond its structural limits, often causing it to break or melt. So, the hair’s integrity is the priority risk, which is why this pair should never be used together. Scalp irritation can occur with strong chemicals, but the immediate danger in this case is the potential for hair breakage or loss of integrity. Color fading or extra curling aren’t the primary concerns with this specific interaction.

The main idea is that thio-based treatments and sodium hydroxide relaxers are chemically incompatible, so using them in sequence can severely damage the hair. Thio products reduce disulfide bonds in the cortex, leaving the hair in a weakened state. A sodium hydroxide relaxer then applies an extremely alkaline environment to break more bonds and restructure them for straightening. This combination pushes the hair beyond its structural limits, often causing it to break or melt. So, the hair’s integrity is the priority risk, which is why this pair should never be used together. Scalp irritation can occur with strong chemicals, but the immediate danger in this case is the potential for hair breakage or loss of integrity. Color fading or extra curling aren’t the primary concerns with this specific interaction.