What is an At-Home Relaxer Kit?
An at-home relaxer kit is a package that helps you straighten your hair on your own at home, and it provides you with all the products and solutions that you need. They are best for people who can’t find the time to go to the salon or can’t afford to get their hair straightened from their stylist at the moment.
At-home relaxer kits are the perfect alternative to keratin treatments, which are meant to keep your hair straightened for a long time. They are also more beneficial in terms of cost and time.
Why Do You Need an At-Home Relaxer Kit?
At-home relaxer kits are highly useful for women who are always on the go and can’t visit the salon before a big event or gathering. They are perfect for women who have curly hair that is incredibly difficult to tame without keratin treatments. Also, keratin treatments may straighten your hair perfectly, but they can be quite expensive and harmful for your hair as well. Therefore, at-home relaxer kits give you a more cost-effective and safer solution.
As mentioned above, at-home relaxer kits consist of products that are generally safer than what you would get in a keratin treatment. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the health of your hair when you use the products you get in the at-home relaxer kit you choose.
Things to Consider Before Buying an At-Home Relaxer Kit
There are numerous factors that should be considered before you choose an at-home relaxer kit to buy among the numerous options that are out there. These factors will help you find the right product to suit your needs and your hair as well.
Lye or No-Lye
Lye is a common ingredient in most of the at-home relaxer kits you may find, and such products also contain sodium hydroxide as the main ingredient, which makes them stronger. However, they may be better suited for application by professionals, so you should avoid choosing an at-home relaxer kit that consists of lye.
Some of the best at-home relaxer kits don’t contain lye, and they also contain calcium hydroxide. Although they are milder than lye-based relaxers, they do result in the buildup of calcium on the scalp, which is something you don’t have to worry about in the former option.
Scalp Sensitivity
Before using any of the at-home relaxer kits, it is very important to consider how sensitive your scalp is. Otherwise, you may be at risk of scalp irritation or other problems. If you have eczema or any other skin condition, then you may want to choose an at-home relaxer kit that is more gentle on the scalp and doesn’t flare up your skin conditions. Some at-home relaxer kits also come with protective bases that are applied before the relaxer, to make sure that it doesn’t cause any reaction.
Strength
The strength of the formula used in the relaxer also plays an important role in your choice of an at-home relaxer kit. If you have coarse hair, then you would need a stronger formula to tame your hair, but if your hair is light and wavy, then a lighter formula would be the way to go for you. You should also take your hair texture into consideration before choosing the strength that is best for your hair.
Effectiveness
Effectiveness refers to the amount of time for which your hair will stay straight once you have applied the relaxer. Most high-quality products are known to last from 10 to 15 weeks before you need to use the at-home relaxer kit once again. Some of the mid-range options would work for 6 to 12 weeks, so make sure that the product you choose has you covered for a good few weeks. Otherwise, you will have to use the at-home relaxer kit more often than you would expect, and it would also cause the product to run out quickly.
Other Ingredients
When you are considering different products to buy, make sure to check their product description or label for the ingredients they are made of. Apart from lye and sodium hydroxide, finding out the other ingredients is also important. Ideally, you should opt for an at-home relaxer kit that features natural ingredients so that your hair doesn’t get damaged from all of the chemicals present in the kit.
How Do You Use an At-Home Relaxer Kit?
Once you have selected the at-home relaxer kit that you want to use, you can easily apply it using the instructions provided by the company. One thing to remember is that you shouldn’t wash your hair or scratch your scalp at least a week before using the relaxer. Next, wear a cape to cover your clothes, as well as gloves.
If the at-home relaxer kit comes with a protective base, this would be the right time to apply it, in case you have a sensitive scalp that would react with the relaxer solution. The next step is to separate your hair into 4-5 layers and secure them with hair bands or plastic clips. Mix the at-home relaxer into a bowl and start applying it on each layer one by one. Start by applying it in small sections.
Once this is done, you can spread out the relaxer towards the hairline, making sure to coat your hair evenly. Next, you can make use of a comb to smoothen out the hair. Depending on the amount of time prescribed on the product packaging, you will have to wait before washing your hair. To remove it properly, wash your hair for 5-7 minutes and also use a moisturizing conditioner to restore the pH level of your hair. Lastly, rinse your hair, blow it dry, and style it as you like.
At-Home Relaxer Kit FAQs
Q. How do I care for my hair after using the at-home relaxer kit?
A. The key is to keep your hair moisturized after using the relaxer. Also, make sure to get a sulfate-free shampoo for your hair, and get the roots trimmed every 6-8 weeks.
Q. Can I use the at-home relaxer kit on short hair?
A. According to experts, the at-home relaxer kit works fine on short hair as well. If you have previously treated hair, you can choose to get it trimmed before using the relaxer on it.
Q. How often should I use the at-home relaxer kit on my hair?
A. Since the at-home relaxer kit contains chemicals, it is wise to give a gap of at least 8 to 12 weeks before you choose to use it on your hair again.