If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Is it actually possible to take a perm out of your hair without a big chop?
Meet the Experts
A relaxer is a permanent straightening system that breaks down hair bonds using sodium hydroxide.
@aysha.sow | Design by Michela Buttignol.
What is a Relaxer?
“[Relaxer is] a permanent straightening system,” explains Hardges.
“The hairs bonds are broken using sodium hydroxide, while the hair is physically straightened.
Grace Kerry/Getty Images
It is then rinsed and the bonds are reformed with a neutralizing agent.”
Can You Strip a Relaxer From Hair?
The only answer to this question is “no.”
“Any such process would significantly damage hair further.
What this means is no shortcut will be able to bring your natural hair back to life.
But you would still need to slowly trim the relaxed hair off.”
Branch also recommends investing a styler made for curly hair and a diffuser.
Gavazzoni Dias MF.Hair cosmetics: an overview.Int J Trichology.
2015;7(1):2-15. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450
