Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
Hair relaxers help control frizzy, chaotic hair. But they also get criticism for harmful chemical formulas. So here are a few alternatives to hair relaxers.
These are a heady mix of chemicals that penetrate deep into the cuticles of your hair to loosen the natural waves and curls on your hair.
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But this process is extremely harmful to your hair and even your skin! It weakens your strands and causes hair to become brittle and prone to breakage.
Other harmful side effects of hair relaxers are they can burn your skin, permanently damage your scalp and lead to hair fall.
Looking for something that gives you the same results but without the harmful side effects of a relaxer?
We have tried and tested some alternatives to hair relaxers that you can try to make your hair smooth, sleek and manageable.
Top Alternatives To Hair Relaxers 2022
Straightening
This is one of the most common methods used by people to make hair sleek and smooth.
This is one of the easily accessible alternatives to a hair relaxer and you can do it yourself at the comfort of your home in a matter of time.
Usually, a straightening iron helps in straightening your hair.
For best results using a straightener or a flat iron, divide your hair into smaller sections and then straighten them.
You should also make sure to use a heat-protectant hair serum, cream or a heat protectant spray before using heat tools on your hair.
If you are careless like me, there is a chance that you might burn your hair even while using a flat iron.
So when you buy one, make sure it has a temperature control option which makes sure that the machine doesn’t get too hot to cause hair damage.
Pros:
- You can try different styles easily
- You do not need to go to a hair-dresser for this
- Makes your hair smooth and frizz-free
Cons:
- Might damage your hair in the long-term
Check out the Remington Anti Static Flat Iron on Amazon.com. This flat iron is made of ceramic and hence gentle on your natural hair. It also reduces static, preventing frizzy hair.
Keratin Treatment
A keratin treatment is a chemical process that involves the introduction of keratin protein to your natural hair.
The keratin enters the porous areas of your hair to give you that healthy sleek look. Keratin is one of the most important proteins for healthy and smooth hair.
This treatment is greatly recommended for those with wavy, curly hair who want to try a straight hair look.
A keratin treatment is a great alternative to hair relaxers and something that greatly helped me after my hair was damaged by years of colouring and bleaching.
It makes your hair smooth and silky for up to six months with proper maintenance. It is also popularly known as Brazillian hair treatment.
You should only get this done by an experienced hairdresser.
The time taken to complete the entire process depends on the formula of the chemical, your hair texture and hair length.
This treatment rose into popularity in recent times and has even been tried by celebrities like Megan Markle.
Pros:
- Makes your hair sleek and shiny
- Results last for up to six months
- Removes frizz and dryness
- Works on all hair types
- Cuts the time on styling
Cons:
- Expensive treatment
- Not recommended for pregnant women
- Certain keratin treatments might contain carcinogenic substances
- Might cause allergic reactions
You can find an affordable and effective at-home keratin treatment right here in the form of the Brazillian Keratin Treatment Complex Blowout.
Silicone Creams
Silicone creams are another viable alternative to hair relaxers. They help you in making your hair frizz-free and smooth without using any heat tools.
If you are someone with thick hair like me who finds it hard to tame your hair using a straightener and doesn’t want to use any chemical treatments, this is a great option.
These creams are heavy and have a thick consistency which makes them suitable for those with thick voluminous hair.
But make sure to apply silicone creams when your hair is partially dry since the product gets well absorbed into your strands.
Work the product on your roots first and move to the tips for the best results. It makes your hair smooth until your next wash!
Pros:
- Enables easy hair styling
- Protects against sun damage
- Removes frizz and tangles
Cons:
- Difficult to wash out
- Might clog your follicles
- Temporary
Check out the Mon Platin Silicone cream on Amazon.com to get smooth hair that looks chemically relaxed without any of the damage!
Vegetable Oil Alternatives To Hair Relaxers
Vegetable oils have been used during ancient times to soften and smoothen your hair.
They have been a part of a lot of DIY treatments and they provide intense nourishment and moisturisation to your skin.
I usually use it as a hair mask before shampooing and conditioning my hair but sometimes if my ends look too dry, I lightly apply some non-stick vegetable oil on them to make them shiny and moisturised.
Make sure you do not use any cooking oil in the name of vegetable oil since they are processed oil that might not be that beneficial for your hair.
Always opt for unprocessed cold-pressed, virgin vegetable oils.
Some of the most popular oils for your hair include coconut, argan, almond, olive and jojoba oil.
It also provides a host of other benefits like promoting hair growth, relieving scalp inflammations, protecting hair from sun damage etc.
Pros:
- Contains Vitamin E
- Prevents sun damage
- Nourishes your hair
- Has antibacterial properties
- Soothes inflammation
Cons:
- Contains fatty acids
- Contains trans fats
- Might weigh down your hair
Blow Drying Alternatives To Hair Relaxers
One of my favourite alternatives to hair relaxers, Blow drying is another technique that removes frizz and makes your hair smooth and sleek.
You have probably gotten this done at least once in your life after getting a haircut from a salon.
Blow drying makes your hair look presentable and well-groomed while removing any frizz.
This is done with the help of a hair dryer and a blow-drying brush but you should definitely use a heat protectant spray or cream before starting the process.
Pros:
- Flexible hair styling
- Cheap
- Portable
- You can do it yourself
Cons:
- Long-term usage might cause heat damage
Haircutting
Most people are not a fan of hair cutting since they want to maintain long hair.
But little do they know that cutting and styling your hair properly can actually promote hair growth and healthy hair.
You don’t really have to cut long lengths, you just have to trim the ends. This is especially important if you have dry or split ends.
Pros:
- Accentuates your facial structures
- Removes dry and split ends
- Makes the hair look healthy
Cons:
- Might lead to limited styling options
Long-term Protective Styles
Sometimes you can still get the sleek look of a hair relaxer without touching your natural hair.
There are other options that offer long-term protection to your natural hair such as hair extensions and weaves.
There are a variety of extensions available in the market such as clip-in extension, sew-in extension, wigs, braids etc that makes your hair look sleek and stylish.
These extensions are made out of human hair as well as synthetic materials such as nylon, acrylic, polyester etc.
Using a human hair wig or extension can make your hair look natural. But a silicone extension comes pre-styled which means that you do not have to spend a lot of time grooming your hair.
Pros:
- Low maintenance
- Promotes hair growth
- Variety of options
- Pre-styled
Cons:
- Might cause hair breakage
- Might cause itchy scalp
- Might damage your edges
- Expensive
FAQs about Non Chemical Hair Relaxers
How to relax natural hair without chemicals?
There are plenty of ways to straighten curly hair without using chemicals, but the most popular methods include using hot water, steam, and a flat iron. Here are a few tips for getting the best results:
Start by soaking your hair in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. This will soften the curls and allow you to work more easily with the straighteners.
Steam your hair with a steamer before using the straighteners. This will increase the heat and help to straighten your curls more quickly.
Use a flat iron on a low or medium heat setting to gently straighten your curls. Be sure to avoid getting too close to the roots; this can cause damage.
Repeat these steps as necessary until your curls are straightened out. Remember to moisturize your hair after using any of these methods; curly hair is naturally dry and can become brittle if not treated well!
How do I relax natural hair using flat iron?
If you’re looking for an easy and chemical-free way to straighten curly hair, you may want to try using a flat iron. Flat irons are the best choice for curly hair because they heat evenly and don’t pull or damage the hair. Here are a few tips on how to use a flat iron to straighten curly hair:
Start by washing your hair and towel-drying it thoroughly.
Apply a heat protectant if your hair is prone to frizzing or breaking.
Place a small amount of product in your palm and distribute it evenly throughout your hair.
Secure the flat iron in place by wrapping a section of hair around the barrel. Be sure not to overheat or apply too much pressure – overuse of heat can damage your hair!
Press the iron against the product-covered section of hair, starting at the ends and working your way up. Be patient – it may take a few minutes for the curls to become straightened.
Repeat on all sections of curly hair, being sure to avoid any hot spots or damage to your locks.
These tips should help you get started using a flat iron to straighten curly hair without resorting to harsh chemicals
Getting a sudden urge to ditch your curls for smooth, silky locks?
You can consider all of the above alternatives to hair relaxers before going choosing permanent hair straightening.
If you’re worried about damaging hair and are open to styling your hair frequently, these are better options for the health of your tresses.
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