Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Say "Nope" to Box Perms (Box Relaxers) to relax hair
Although the relaxers have; sodium hydroxide, guanidine hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate, lithium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide as an active ingredient, most box relaxers contain calcium hydroxide. Now, there are a few reasons why box perms shouldn’t be a part of African-American women’s hair care routine.
One reason is that with frequent use, the calcium in these relaxers will coat the hair. This coating will seal your strands and keep moisture out, which is very bad news; especially if you’re getting a relaxer and your hair is naturally coarse (coarse hair tends to be naturally drier, which makes this twice as bad).
Once the hair is covered, it will need to be removed to hydrate and revive your locks. Using relaxers, off the shelf, will eventually cause your hair to develop a reddish “tint,” without ever having color or highlights. The reason this is happening is because your strands are getting so dry that the color is starting to lighten. People may think that they have some kind of natural reflections (they probably think this is due to the sun), but the truth is that they don’t.
Depending on your hair texture and condition, anything that dries out your locks will make it weak, brittle, and extremely prone to breakage.
Although the box relaxers have images of children on them, I STRONGLY suggest that parents avoid them at all costs.
Relaxing the head of a child who has not gone through adolescence does have immediate and long-term consequences.
Because kids haven’t gone through puberty, their bodies (and skin) are still developing, and as a result, they’re more likely to have long-term skin and scalp problems.
When this happens, instead of addressing and correcting the issues at hand, many people turn to cosmetic enhancements, and unfortunately any unresolved issues they have worsen over time.
Finally, the fact that companies sell chemicals over the counter at wholesale prices is VERY misleading.
It gives the idea to the public that the whole process of applying chemicals to the head of an adult or a child is so simple and easy that it can be done from the comfort of your home, without the presence of a professional.
It makes people believe that there are few or no consequences to straightening hair at home, when the truth is that the earlier you start using chemicals on children, the worse the long-term effects will be.
The problems that can arise from misuse or long-term use can be extreme. Skin and scalp problems mean more visits to the dermatologist, fake hair in the form of weaves or wigs, and not to mention the almost irreversible damage that can occur from self-esteem issues.