Chemical relaxers can injure the hair, scalp, skin, or eyes when they are used incorrectly. A licensed professional is the safer choice—especially if your scalp is sensitive, your hair is already breaking, or you are unsure how the product interacts with a previous chemical service.

If you still choose an at-home relaxer, treat the box directions as the authority. Do not improvise the timing, mix products from different kits, or assume that a tingling or burning sensation means the product is “working.”

Before you begin

• Read the full label and package directions before opening the product.
• Do not relax hair if the scalp is irritated, sunburned, scratched, or otherwise damaged.
• Do not scratch or brush the scalp for three days before using a relaxer.
• Wear the gloves supplied or recommended by the manufacturer.
• Keep the product away from the eyes, eyebrows, and eyelashes.
• Set out a timer and every item named in the kit directions.

During application

• Apply only as the product label directs.
• Do not leave the relaxer on longer than the stated time.
• Avoid applying the product directly to the scalp or other skin unless the label explicitly instructs otherwise.
• If you feel burning or severe irritation, rinse immediately with plenty of water. Do not wait for the timer.

Rinse and neutralize exactly as directed

Rinse thoroughly with water, then follow the kit’s neutralizing and after-care instructions. Do not substitute a regular shampoo if the product requires a specific neutralizing step.

Do not stack chemical services

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises waiting at least 14 days after bleaching, relaxing, or perming before using hair dye. If your hair is already weak, breaking, or chemically processed, speak with a licensed stylist before adding another service.

Know when to get help

Seek medical advice for an eye exposure, blistering, an open wound, severe pain, swelling, or a reaction that does not improve after rinsing. Ongoing scalp symptoms or sudden hair loss also deserve evaluation by a dermatologist.

No at-home checklist can guarantee professional-looking results or eliminate the risk of damage. When in doubt, pause and book a qualified stylist.

Source

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Hair Dyes and Relaxers Safety Tips

No product can remove the risks of a relaxer service. Once the hair and scalp are calm and intact, Hairfinity Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner can be used for routine conditioning and detangling between services; do not apply it to irritated or burned skin.

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