Relaxers are made of chemicals that counteract the natural chemical makeup of curly hair. Sodium hydroxide or “lye” is the most hazardous ingredient. The soap company, Certified Lye, cautions users that “substances with large amounts of lye can cause chemical burns, permanent injury or scarring, and blindness. Lye (sodium hydroxide) may be harmful or fatal if swallowed”.

Though there are some relaxers, such as Dark and Lovely, African Pride, and Optimum Care, who exclude lye from the ingredient regimen, there are other chemicals used that are still hazardous.

Another ingredient is guanidine carbonate. Chemicalbook.com says that when handling guanidine carbonate “only use in chemical fume hood.” Also, relaxer ingredient, succinic acid should be kept out of contact with skin clothes and eyes. Bio-amber, a company that manufacturers renewable chemicals, states in their website that “it (succinic acid) may be harmful if absorbed through skin.”

This warning is startling because a relaxer directly comes in contact with the users scalp.