Sodium hydroxide is the chemical in hair texturizers that helps loosen tight curls. To select the best texturizer for your hair, you should understand how sodium hydroxide reacts to the protein bonds in hair, as well as the difference between a texturizer and a hair relaxer, even though they deliver similar results. Regardless of the brand, make sure to select a hair texturizing kit that is formulated with conditioning ingredients that will preserve the hair’s health. Neutralizing shampoos should also come with the hair texturizer.
Hair strands are made of keratin amino acids, which give your hair its unique shape, elasticity, and curl pattern. A hair texturizer will weaken this protein, ultimately straightening the hair. Curly, unruly hair can become more manageable and sleek.
Most texturizers are readily available at your local drugstore, with some salons selling their own brands or formulations. The active ingredient in hair texturixers will usually be sodium hydroxide. Try to stay away from incredulous brands that do not use an active ingredient to straighten the hair. Sometimes these types of formulations will only affect your hair temporary, or cause adverse reactions.
Hair relaxers and hair texturizers are often confused. They are both used to straighten the hair, but hair relaxers will usually have concentrated forms of sodium hydroxide, creating different results. A texturizer is usually milder, and is designed to loosen the curl instead of removing it completely.
Select a hair texturizer that is formulated with enriching emollients that will help control the porosity of the hair, resulting in healthier hair. Brands that sell texturizing creams with oils can help deliver moisture, while loosening the curl pattern. Jojoba, shea, and olive oil are all popular ingredients that are commonly formulated into the hair texturizer, or may be used as standalone products that are added to the hair sometime during the chemical process.
Any chemical straighteners that have been applied to the hair will continue to straighten the hair, even after being washed out with water or conventional shampoos. This can result in porous hair with exposed cuticles, which can make the hair look lackluster. The hair will eventually start to break and tangle. Make sure to select a texturizer that comes with a neutralizing shampoo to halt the chemical process.