If you have naturally curly, kinky, or frizzy hair, then you already know not everyone is automatically crazy about curls. In fact, if you were born with them, there’s a high likelihood that they’ve been the bane of your existence all your life.
That said, chemical relaxers and straighteners can seem like a godsend when you prefer smooth, sleek straightness to unruly curls. But there are some really good reasons to cut them out of your routine. You may already realize they’re not good for your hair, but that’s not all. Here’s a closer look at what you need to know.
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They destroy the structure of your hair
Harsh chemical relaxers work by attacking the natural protein bonds in your hair. It’s these bonds that give your hair its signature curl pattern, so they must be broken entirely if you want your hair to be permanently straight.
However, doing this does a lot more than just get rid of the natural curl pattern you don’t like. Without its natural protein bonds, your hair isn’t as strong as it otherwise would be and can be prone to breakage, weakness, and chronic dryness.
They can make you go bald
If you rely on chemical straighteners as a regular part of your beauty routine, then you already know that they can leave you with some pretty nasty chemical burns on your scalp. That can lead to scabs, awful oozing wounds, and plenty of discomfort for sure.
But did you know that if those burns are bad enough or you sustain them frequently enough, you can actually wind up with bald patches? Once this happens, your hair won’t grow back, either. So you may want to consider whether you’d rather have curly hair or no hair at all.
They’re likely giving you cancer
It’s long been thought that certain chemical hair care products – like chemical relaxers and certain types of hair dye – can contribute to the eventual development of certain cancers. However, according to a recent study, it’s now proven that there’s a link between uterine cancer and hair straightener.
There’s never been a doubt in anyone’s mind that chemical straighteners are incredibly harsh. So it’s probably not surprising that the chemicals they include can easily disrupt endocrine balances, damage your immune system, and directly contribute to some of the most dangerous female cancers out there.
They destroy your connection to your identity
Although there’s definitely nothing wrong with liking to play with your look, it’s not healthy mentally or emotionally to be completely disconnected from the traits that make you unique. Chemically straightening your hair as a rule robs you of the opportunity to fall completely in love with who you really are.
Naturally, no one’s saying you can’t wear your hair straight if you really love that look. But you should consider making it more of an occasional thing – something to do for occasions when you’d like to look a little different. The rest of the time, it’s best for both you and your hair to simply embrace today’s natural hair movement by simply letting your hair do its thing.
Ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with caring about how you look or enjoying the manageability that straightening your hair can bring to the table. But no look is so desirable or fashionable that it’s worth jeopardizing your health for it.
So cut chemical straighteners and relaxers out of your life for the sake of your sanity and your health. And take whatever steps you need to in order to make sure your past use hasn’t already done its damage. You’ll be glad you did.