Black Hair Maintenance: Healthy Hair With PhytoSpecific Relaxer

There are still a lot of black women who prefer to maintain their hair with a relaxer. And many of them feel left out in the healthy hair tips discussion. But is it valid to completely dismiss one with relaxed hair as being incapable of maintaining healthy strands? We recently read about a new hair relaxer that is free of harsh chemicals. That means that you can achieve healthy hair even with a relaxer after all.

Michelle Obama’s very laid hair has been all the rage at the Democratic National Convention, as it gleams and flows in the spotlight. Word on the street is that she uses a non-chemical relaxer called PhytoSpecific that contains the organic salt, guanidine carbonate, the same ingredient used in relaxers and Nair (hence why if you over-process your hair, it falls out). For women who are loosening their curls with ‘Silkners’ and texturizers it all comes down to the same process.

A phytospecific hair relaxer, sometimes called a phytorelaxer, is a hair care product designed to take wave or curl out of hair. They are especially popular with ethnic hair that tends to be unruly and has problems with frizz, control and styling. Unlike traditional relaxers, a phytospecific hair relaxer is supposed to be free of harsh chemicals and thus is promoted as a more natural or gentle alternative to regular relaxers.

Phytospecific hair relaxers contain both egg and soy; it is the soy that qualifies the relaxer as a "phyto" or "plant-based" relaxer. According to manufacturers, the egg and soy extracts are the active ingredients that are supposed to relax the hair.

A major issue with a phytospecific hair relaxer is that, although the product does contain egg and soy extracts as advertised, it also contains guanidine carbonate, or carbonic acid with guanidine, which is an organic salt. Without this substance, the relaxer will not work properly, so it is really the guanidine carbonate that is the major active ingredient. With this substance, a phytospecific hair relaxer still has a very high pH level between 11.5 and 12.5.

Suggested Usage:
-Read the instructions carefully before applying the relaxer; this is a permanent relaxer.
-If you do not have experience applying relaxers, please consult a professional prior to first application.
-If you decide to apply the relaxer yourself, always do a strand test prior to applying to entire head.
-If you already have relaxed hair, relax only the new growth.
-Do not use on previously highlighted, bleached, permed, or henna-treated hair.
-This product should only be applied on healthy hair and scalp.
-Do not apply the relaxer to the scalp.
-Follow the warnings as indicated in the enclosed leaflet.

Get the whole package for $60 (approx. EUR 45,- ) here!