The Best Hair Relaxers in 2025: Safe Picks, Expert Tips & Healthy Hair Care
Explore top hair relaxers for every hair type, understand safety, and learn essential tips for achieving healthy, silky-straight hair in 2025.
Dreaming of dramatically sleeker, softer, and straighter hair? Chemical hair relaxers offer a transformative way to loosen curls and coils for a smooth, low-maintenance finish. In 2025, there’s a new generation of formulas and expert advice to help you achieve straight strands without sacrificing the health of your hair and scalp. Here’s your complete guide to the best hair relaxers, safety essentials, pros and cons, and professional maintenance tips to keep your relaxed hair gorgeous, resilient, and strong.
What Are Hair Relaxers and How Do They Work?
Hair relaxers are chemical products formulated to break down the natural bonds in curly, coily, or wavy hair, allowing it to be reshaped into a straighter form.
- Commonly used by people with tightly textured hair seeking less shrinkage and more styling flexibility.
- Two main types: lye (sodium hydroxide) and no-lye (calcium hydroxide and guanidine hydroxide) relaxers.
- The process permanently alters the protein structure (disulfide bonds) of the hair, making it straight until new growth appears.
Over the last two decades, the science behind relaxers has evolved with formulas that aim for better hair health, less breakage, and more manageable results.
Are Hair Relaxers Right for You?
The decision to chemically straighten your hair is deeply personal. Relaxers work best for people who:
- Have tightly coiled, thick, or coarse hair that is difficult to manage with heat styling alone.
- Desire wash-and-go straighter styles requiring less daily manipulation.
- Are willing to commit to consistent moisturizing and strengthening routines, as relaxation can weaken hair if not properly cared for.
However, relaxers are not compatible with all hair types or lifestyles. Consult with a knowledgeable stylist if your hair is already color-treated, bleached, or previously damaged to determine the safest approach.
Top Picks: The Best Hair Relaxers of 2025
Whether you want salon-level straightening or are seeking gentle results at home, these top-rated relaxers are favored for their performance and hair-protective ingredients.
- Mizani Butter Blend Relaxer
Celebrated for its blend of shea butter, cocoa butter, and honey, this gentle, salon-grade formula smooths hair while minimizing irritation and dryness. - ORS Olive Oil Built-In Protection No-Lye Relaxer
Infused with olive oil and other plant extracts, it conditions while straightening, making it a favorite for at-home applications and sensitive scalps. - Revlon Realistic Conditioning Creme Relaxer
Known for reliably straight results, plus added conditioners to help minimize breakage and boost shine. Works well on all curl types. - SoftSheen-Carson Optimum Care No-Lye Relaxer
This kit is gentle, with ingredients targeting strength, smoothness, and nourishment. Best for those wanting straight but still bouncy hair. - Avlon Affirm Fiberguard Sensitive Scalp Relaxer
Specially formulated for sensitive skin, this professional favorite features a unique polymer system that protects the hair structure while relaxing. - Sofn’Free GroHealthy No-Lye Hair Relaxer
Infused with shea butter, coconut, and olive oils, this kit aims for touchably soft and silky hair without excessive dryness. - TCB No Base Creme Hair Relaxer
Ideal for resistant hair types, this affordable classic offers reliable straightening with added oils for hydration.
Choosing the Right Relaxer for Your Hair Type
| Hair Texture | Recommended Relaxer Type | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse, Very Tightly Coiled | Lye or Professional Strength | Strong smoothing, lasts the longest |
| Fine, Fragile, or Color-Treated | No-Lye, Sensitive Scalp | Milder formulas, gentler on skin and hair |
| Medium or Mixed-Texture | Moisturizing/Conditioning Kits | Balances straightening with moisture |
How to Apply Hair Relaxers Safely
Application technique is just as important as the formula you choose. Here are expert guidelines:
- Always read and follow the instructions on your specific kit.
- Perform a strand test and skin patch test before full application to check for allergic reactions.
- Section hair and apply petroleum jelly along your hairline, ears, and nape to protect skin from irritation.
- Do not scratch or wash your scalp 48 hours before relaxing—this can increase the risk of burns.
- Apply relaxer only to new growth and avoid overlapping onto previously relaxed sections to reduce breakage.
- Rinse thoroughly and use the included neutralizing shampoo to halt processing and restore pH balance.
What others are reading
Potential Risks & Safety Considerations
While formulas have improved, relaxers still contain powerful ingredients that can pose certain risks. These include:
- Scalp burns and irritation if left on too long or applied to broken skin.
- Hair breakage, particularly with over-processing or improper aftercare.
- Allergic reactions due to common allergens like propylene glycol, cetyl stearyl alcohol, fragrances, tea tree oil, and cocamidopropyl betaine.
- Health concerns such as lung damage, reproductive disorders, uterine fibroids, and increased risk of certain cancers or hormonal effects associated with long-term exposure to specific chemicals.
- Lowered fertility rates have been noted in some epidemiological studies with consistent relaxer use.
Always consult your healthcare provider if you have a sensitive scalp, skin conditions, or are concerned about potential ingredient effects.
Professional vs. At-Home Relaxers
Salon applications offer major advantages:
- Precision application by trained stylists
- Customized process suited to your hair’s needs
- Reduced risk of scalp burns and overlapping applications
For at-home kits, opt for products with plenty of conditioning agents, and strictly follow all safety guidelines.
Relaxer Maintenance: Keeping Relaxed Hair Healthy
Healthy hair after relaxing requires a dedicated care regimen:
- Limit relaxer touch-ups to every 8–12 weeks, only treating new growth.
- Deep condition at least weekly to replenish moisture.
- Use protein treatments once a month to strengthen hair structure.
- Trim regularly to avoid split ends.
- Protect hair at night with silk or satin scarves and minimize heat styling.
- Moisturize daily with leave-in conditioners or oils suited for relaxed hair.
The Evolution of Hair Relaxers: Past, Present, and Future
Once synonymous with strict, six-week regimens and breakage, hair relaxers have become more flexible and hair-friendly in recent years:
- Many now stretch touch-ups to every 3–6 months, sometimes alternating with protective styles.
- Modern relaxers often include polymers for elasticity and tensile strength, shrinking the likelihood of hair breakage.
- Ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, and honey are now common to counteract dryness.
- There’s increasing awareness of safe formulation standards (especially in markets like the UK and EU), greater ingredient transparency, and more accessible maintenance advice.
Common Myths About Hair Relaxers
- Myth #1: Relaxed hair is always unhealthy.
Fact: With proper technique and consistent care, relaxed hair can be healthy and strong. - Myth #2: All relaxers cause severe hair loss.
Fact: While damage is possible, it’s largely avoidable with skilled application, correct formula selection, and attentive moisturizing. - Myth #3: You can relax all hair types the same way.
Fact: Different textures, porosity, and length require tailored approaches, so always consult professional advice where possible.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Relaxers
How often should I relax my hair?
It’s recommended to relax new growth every 8–12 weeks for most hair types. Overlapping relaxer onto previously straightened hair increases breakage risk.
Can I color and relax my hair at the same time?
While possible, both are chemical processes that can weaken hair. Ideally, space them several weeks apart and opt for professional application to reduce risk of damage.
Are there natural alternatives to chemical relaxers?
Natural options like keratin treatments or heat-styling offer temporary straightening. However, for permanent straightness, only chemical relaxers can break curl bonds long-term.
What should I do if my scalp burns during a relaxer?
Immediately rinse the product with cool water and use a neutralizing shampoo. Do not attempt to relax hair again until your scalp has fully healed.
Is it true that relaxers can increase cancer or infertility risk?
Recent studies have linked some relaxer chemicals to heightened cancer and endocrine disruption risk, especially with long-term and frequent use. Choose reputable products, avoid prolonged scalp exposure, and consult with your doctor if you have concerns.
How can I make my relaxed hair last longer between touch-ups?
Protective styles, scalp massages, and low-manipulation routines help stretch time between treatments. Regular moisturizing and protein treatments also strengthen new growth and relaxed sections.
Expert Tips for Healthier Relaxed Hair
- Never relax hair that’s already fragile or excessively damaged. Strengthen first with protein or hydrating treatments.
- Always detangle gently before relaxing to prevent breakage during application.
- Lightly oil your scalp between relaxers to soothe dryness—but don’t apply oil just before using a relaxer, as it can block effectiveness.
- Use a clarifying shampoo monthly to remove product buildup.
- Handle new growth with care: Tangling at the roots can lead to line-of-demarcation breakage between natural and relaxed textures.
Conclusion
Whether you choose to relax your hair for sleeker looks or as a tool for low-maintenance styling, today’s advanced formulas and a mindful care regimen make it more possible than ever to achieve healthy, beautiful, straight hair. Stay informed about ingredients, prioritize scalp and hair well-being, and celebrate the versatility of your style journey.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/hair/a61469091/hair-relaxer-popularity/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38783163/
- https://www.weitzlux.com/consumer-protection/product-liability/hair-relaxers-cancer/side-effects/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10505421/
- https://www.cosmoprofbeauty.com/hair-color/chemical-services/relaxer
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
