What is the real difference between no-lye relaxers and lye relaxers?
A. Lye relaxers are made up of sodium hydroxide. No-lye relaxers are made up of guanidine, lithium, or potassium hydroxide. These are the chemical compounds formulated in relaxers to straighten hair. One of the biggest ways to tell the difference between a no-lye and a lye relaxer is the physical preparation. No-lye relaxers A no-lye relaxer that is made up of guanidine hydroxide includes two steps: Step 1 – It uses the crème called calcium hydroxide. Step 2 – It uses the liquid activator called guanidine. When mixed, these two formulas form guanidine hydroxide. These relaxers are sold in beauty supplies and local drug stores, and are the most popular no-lye relaxers on the market. No-lye relaxers also come in another formula known as a “no-mix relaxer,” and are made up of lithium and potassium hydroxide instead. The active ingredient in a no-lye relaxer tends to be less irritating on the scalp, and formulated for people with sensitive scalps. Although no-lye relaxers are less irritati
