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Relaxer pH and Why You Need To Know It

Well,  I came across a post about the relaxer pH, I found them quite interesting.

Our hair has a pH of 4.5-5.5 and these relaxers have a highest of 14. That's how strong they are in order to work on our hair.

Source : black hair media

The pH balance determines how harsh the chemical is. Research has shown that the lower the pH, the less damaging the product is to your hair. Water has a pH of 7. Anything less than 7 is considered acidic. The lower this number gets the greater the acidity. Any pH greater than 7 is considered alkaline. The higher the number gets the greater the alkalinity.

A one point difference in pH's could have a significant impact on your hair A product with a pH of 13 is 10 times more alkaline than a product with a pH of 12. This same product would be 100 times more alkaline than a product with a pH of 11. The pH levels even tend to vary among the same products from batch to batch. A relaxer that worked great for you the last time you touched up, may cause more damage to your hair the next time you use it. It's worth noting that the pH balance of Liquid Drano is 13.3.

The information gathered came from September 1999 edition of Consumer Reports and is not reported in any particular order. Its corresponding pH balance follows the product name/description.


  1. TCB Bone Strait No-Lye Relaxer contains lithium hydroxide: 12.8

  2. Revlon Realistic Extra Conditioning Creme Relaxer System contains sodium hydroxide: 13.2

  3. Gentle Treatment No-lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer contains lithium hydroxide, guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.0

  4. Soft and Beautiful No-lye Conditioning Relaxer Regular contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.1

  5. Curl Free Natural Curl Relaxer contains ammonium bisulfite: 7.6

  6. Dark & Lovely No-lye Conditioning Relaxer System contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.0

  7. Revlon Creme of Nature No-lye Creme Relaxer System contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.1

  8. African Pride Miracle Deep Conditioning No-lye Relaxer System contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.3

  9. Soft Sheen Alternatives No-lye Relaxer System contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.3

  10. Optimum Care No-Lye Relaxer guanidine contains guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide: 13.2

  11. Rusk Radical Anti-curl Original Formula 1 contains Ammonium thioglycolate: 9.1

  12. Revlon Realistic Creme Relaxer System 1 contains sodium hydroxide: 13.3



The following relaxer pHs were taken from, "Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me" by Paula Begoun.


  1. At One with Nature Botanical Strongends Sensitive Scalp Relaxer, Regular w/ Herbs and Moisturizers: 14

  2. Dark & Lovely Beautiful Beginnings No-mistake No-lye Children's Relaxer System Regular: 13

  3. Dark & Lovely Plus Ultra-Deep Conditioning No-Lye Relaxer System: 12

  4. Luster's Pink Conditioning Super No-lye Creme Relaxer: 14

  5. Raveen No-Lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer with Multiple Conditioners: 14

  6. Revlon Creme of Nature No-Lye Creme Relaxer System: 13

  7. Revlon Fabulaxer Multiple Conditioning No-lye Relaxer Kit: 13

  8. Soft & Beautiful Just for Me No-Lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer, Children's Formula: 14

  9. Soft & Beautiful Super No-lye Conditioning
    Relaxer: 14

  10. TCB Naturals No-Lye Relaxer, Regular with Olive Oil, Aloe and Henna: 14



What's your go to relaxer?

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