Are Hair Relaxers Really a Thing of the Past?

Here we are again with another conversation that involves the relaxed hair community and the natural hair gang.

But today, we'll dig a little deeper into figuring out if hair relaxers are a thing of the past. Hair relaxers have been around for as long as I can remember.

Doing some research, you will find that a guy named Garrett Augustus Morgan created the relaxer back in the late 1800's.

It was an accident how he built it, but he found out it could alter the texture of the hair. Eventually, it blew up and became what it is today.

Somewhere during the '60s and '70s, people started wearing Afro Hair Wigs, although most of it was tied to protest during that time and not necessarily for style.

I remember that, as a child, getting a hair relaxer was all I knew. 🧒🏿

Through elementary school, middle school, high school, and my early twenties, I honestly can say I didn't know what 'natural hair was.

All I knew was that when my roots got curly, it was time for a relaxer.

But one day came when I stumbled onto what natural hair was, and boy, was it new!

However, there are still many people who rock their straight hair and some who can't decide what to have.

Continue reading below as we figure out if hair relaxers are a thing of the past!

The Natural Hair Takeover

"I'm relaxed, no lie!"

That's the infamous saying within the natural hair community. If I could guess, I would say it's been less than ten years since the world has made a big deal about women wearing their natural hair.

For most of us, relaxed hair was all we knew. We also did everything we could think of to keep it bone-straight, too: different hot combs, flat irons, wraps, you name it.

But when folks started chopping their hair off, it gave many women a new perspective.

They realized that if they stopped using chemicals in their hair, then it would look drastically different. People also soon realized that natural hair gave them so much versatility!

I mean, let's be honest here: there's only so much you can do with relaxed hair! It's just straight hair, and if you want anybody to curl, you have to use hair tools to achieve that.

So once people started getting familiar with their natural hair, they fell in love.

Therefore, within the natural hair community, it was clear that relaxed hair was a thing of the past for many of us.

For me, I've been natural for six years, and well, you couldn't pay me to return to the relaxed world.

It just wouldn't make sense. I would be downgrading my looks if I did!

Becoming natural, in my opinion, enhanced my looks and helped me to evolve as a person.

As far as I'm concerned, relaxed hair only made my morning routine shorter!

Health Is a Top Priority

Besides the fact that natural hair provides a wide range of styling options, it's also healthy!

I believe that hair relaxers are a thing of the past mainly because health is becoming a top priority for people around the world.

With so many diseases and cancer on the rise, people realize they need to take a step back and see what they can do to improve their health.

So, if you didn't know, relaxers are, in fact, a chemical, and it's not good for you. Sure, slick hair is pretty, but it's a chemical that enters your pores and changes your hair texture, and who knows what else!

Back in 2009, Comedian Chris Rock released a movie titled "Good Hair" that was in all theaters.

The movie is about Rock interviewing people to learn about black hair care and its importance. He sets out to interview hair stylists, parents, and even celebrities to get their opinions.

However, his focus is on the hair relaxer. He asked some women that infamous question, "What is good hair to you?" and many said it was relaxed hair.

They believed relaxed hair made them feel beautiful and they also looked better. In short, he realized that there wasn't anything good about hair relaxers.

The active ingredient in hair relaxers is "sodium hydroxide," and it can cause severe damage to your body over time.

Relaxers can also create more havoc if you don't use them correctly and damage your beloved new kinky curly bundles.

Damaging Evidence

In the movie, Rock had a Professor who is a Chemical Genius demonstrate what sodium hydroxide can do to the body.

The Professor dropped some SH on a piece of raw chicken (which acts as our skin), and within minutes, the skin burned off.

Hence, that is why people must wear gloves when they apply hair relaxers, towels around their neck, and Vaseline across their forehead and ears!

Now, one must ask oneself why they would want anything that can burn their skin to be on their scalp.

Well, I'm sure people have asked that question and come to the realization that they no longer need hair relaxers.

When it comes to chemicals, most of us are brainwashed to think it's only affecting the area we're using it for, not knowing that it very well may be changing something else.

For all the years I have been relaxed, my hair has never grown past my shoulders.

It may have gently touched the top of it, but no longer than that. Once I went the natural route, my hair greatly surpassed my shoulders and grew to the middle of my back.

The chemical in the relaxers was clogging something up in my pores if my hair wasn't able to grow long. I'm also not the only one who has that same testimony!

So, I switch my style with some Jet Black Body Wave Bundles that look natural and easy to straighten when needed.

Relaxed Until Forever

Shout out to Chris Rock for doing that remarkable documentary about black hair and opening the eyes of many women to have better hair!

However, some people still aren't convinced, and you know what? That's okay!

The natural hair gang is not for everyone, and many people love their relaxed hair. So, for them, relaxed hair is far from being a thing of the past.

Many women believe that natural hair is a better route for them, but they don't have time to do their hair.

Many people prefer a simple, uncomplicated life over anything that takes work.

And I think it's safe to say that having natural hair can make a lot of work. There's nothing quite like waking up in the morning, unwrapping your hair, and heading to work!

Even when I straighten my natural hair once a year, I feel like my natural hair is on a break because I don't have any curls! It's a sweet, refreshing taste of the past, but I still wouldn't want to go back permanently!

There are also people who have made YouTube videos documenting why they were natural and then reverted to relaxed hair. Many of them believed that it just didn't work for them.

Some thought they spent too much money on hair products, while others, of course, said they didn't like their texture.

So once they applied the 'creamy crack' as many call it, they were beyond satisfied.

The Hate Is Real for Hair Relaxers

One of the worst debates to have these days is the one between a relaxed-haired person and a natural-haired person.

It's almost impossible to ever come to a happy medium.

Honestly, it's mainly a natural woman trying their hardest to persuade a relaxed woman why they needs to stop using relaxers.

I've even seen it where the debates have gotten heated, too. But the fact of the matter is that a person who wants to wear their hair relaxed isn't wrong.

That's their choice if they're going to rock the creamy crack.

They shouldn't be judged for it or hated by any means. It's the journey they choose to be on, and that's perfectly fine.

If you are like me and try to protect your hair, you should aim for a Glueless 2x6 Closure Wig and forget about destroying your natural hair.

Well, Are They a Thing of the Past?

Honestly, no hair relaxers are a thing of the past if you ask me.

Yes, times are changing, and people are putting their health first, but that doesn't change the fact that hair relaxers aren't going anywhere.

Now, I'm sure that the industry has seen a drastic change in their profit over the last few years. But it's still millions of woman who have no problem relaxing their hair.

Truthfully, it seems that it's a thing of the past only because the natural hair community is continually growing and evolving.

So naturally, it looks like nobody buys hair relaxers anymore, but if you pay attention, many still do. 🤷🏿‍♀️

Hey, look in my family, and it's only about two of us who are natural!

Hopefully, one day, soon, this debate will go away, and people will respect whatever hair journey other people are on.

Everybody's hair in the world is beautiful. So, do you have natural or relaxed hair? Let me know in the comment section below! And check our Wigs and Bundles Sale!