gymfreak336
New Member
My day got off to a crappy start but the show must go on right
So I swing by the BSS because I was planning on relaxing my hair today. I picked up the Mizani regular since they didn't have the Mizani mild. I was about to check out and go but I stopped to look at some no mix no lye relaxers.
I have been researching them for a while now and basically the no mix no-lye relaxers are made with lithium hydroxide. Gentle treatment, cream of nature, revlon, Cantu, Hawaiian silky, they all make one.
In terms of professional brands, Vitale Pro has a lithium hydroxide relaxer that I wanted to try as does Epitome.
Lithium Hydroxide give the straightening of sodium hydroxide but it isn't as hard on the scalp. It also doesn't give you the same degree of mineral residue like Calcium hydroxide does. According to Vitale pro
"Lithium hydroxide is the most reactive (speed of penetration) and has the lowest molecular weight as compared to the other chemicals. Molecular weight is also related to the size of the molecule. The small size of the lithium hydroxide molecule means that it penetrates hair the easiest. The advantage is that a smaller quantity at a lower pH is needed to react efficiently with the hair. A low pH offers a low irritation/no burning effect, however the higher reactivity (penetration) nature of lithium means that it should not be used on hair that is over-porous such as damaged, weak or bleached hair. "
I decided to try it out because my scalp has been easily irritated lately and I didn't want to be burning easily and be underprocessed again. I choose the Hawaiian silky one.
So I based my scalp as usual with ampro base for sensitive scalp, set my timer and went to work with my sprush. I processed for a total of 15 minutes. I had to do a little corrective work today so I used more relaxer than normal but I still have enough for another touch up.
First off it doesn't stink (atleast not this formula). I also didn't get any scalp irritation. I only had one tingle and I didn't get that until I started rinsing. My felt like silk. Very smooth and soft. I also only got 3 shed hairs while rinsing. It straightens quickly and easily. I only smoothed one time. I followed with my usual relaxer steps and I am VERY VERY happy right now. I think I found something that I want to test out a little longer now. I want to go to a stylist for my next relaxer and I will probably take this relaxer with me or see if they will order the Vitale Pro Tenderheaded Relaxer which is their lithium hydroxide formula.
One of the concerns that has been raised before about lithium hydroxide relaxers is if the molecule can penetrate the scalp too much but I haven't found any research that supports that.
If you are satisfied with your relaxer then cool, I am not posting this to discourage people from using something that works but I will say that if you are one of those sensitive scalp ladies that is having problems with irritation from lye relaxers or is missing the smoothness and silky feeling that regular no lye can sometimes lack, then you might want to look into this as a possible alternative.
If I find anymore info about lithium hydroxide, I will add it here.
So I swing by the BSS because I was planning on relaxing my hair today. I picked up the Mizani regular since they didn't have the Mizani mild. I was about to check out and go but I stopped to look at some no mix no lye relaxers.
I have been researching them for a while now and basically the no mix no-lye relaxers are made with lithium hydroxide. Gentle treatment, cream of nature, revlon, Cantu, Hawaiian silky, they all make one.
In terms of professional brands, Vitale Pro has a lithium hydroxide relaxer that I wanted to try as does Epitome.
Lithium Hydroxide give the straightening of sodium hydroxide but it isn't as hard on the scalp. It also doesn't give you the same degree of mineral residue like Calcium hydroxide does. According to Vitale pro
"Lithium hydroxide is the most reactive (speed of penetration) and has the lowest molecular weight as compared to the other chemicals. Molecular weight is also related to the size of the molecule. The small size of the lithium hydroxide molecule means that it penetrates hair the easiest. The advantage is that a smaller quantity at a lower pH is needed to react efficiently with the hair. A low pH offers a low irritation/no burning effect, however the higher reactivity (penetration) nature of lithium means that it should not be used on hair that is over-porous such as damaged, weak or bleached hair. "
I decided to try it out because my scalp has been easily irritated lately and I didn't want to be burning easily and be underprocessed again. I choose the Hawaiian silky one.
So I based my scalp as usual with ampro base for sensitive scalp, set my timer and went to work with my sprush. I processed for a total of 15 minutes. I had to do a little corrective work today so I used more relaxer than normal but I still have enough for another touch up.
First off it doesn't stink (atleast not this formula). I also didn't get any scalp irritation. I only had one tingle and I didn't get that until I started rinsing. My felt like silk. Very smooth and soft. I also only got 3 shed hairs while rinsing. It straightens quickly and easily. I only smoothed one time. I followed with my usual relaxer steps and I am VERY VERY happy right now. I think I found something that I want to test out a little longer now. I want to go to a stylist for my next relaxer and I will probably take this relaxer with me or see if they will order the Vitale Pro Tenderheaded Relaxer which is their lithium hydroxide formula.
One of the concerns that has been raised before about lithium hydroxide relaxers is if the molecule can penetrate the scalp too much but I haven't found any research that supports that.
If you are satisfied with your relaxer then cool, I am not posting this to discourage people from using something that works but I will say that if you are one of those sensitive scalp ladies that is having problems with irritation from lye relaxers or is missing the smoothness and silky feeling that regular no lye can sometimes lack, then you might want to look into this as a possible alternative.
If I find anymore info about lithium hydroxide, I will add it here.