Hidden Dangers: The Health Risks of Using Formaldehyde on Your Scalp For decades, chemical hair relaxers have been a popular choice for achieving sleek, straight styles. However, many of these products contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing compounds. When heated during the straightening process, these chemicals release formaldehyde gas, which helps break and reshape the hair’s natural keratin structure. While effective for
Sodium Hydroxide in Hair Relaxers: Breaking the Bonds of Curls Repeated use of sodium hydroxide (lye) in hair relaxers poses significant risks to hair health by disrupting disulfide bonds—some of the strongest naturally occurring bonds in hair. These bonds are essential for maintaining the hair’s structural integrity, providing strength, elasticity, and determining its natural shape. Unlike hydrogen bonds,