No Lye - Why You Should Think Twice About Relaxing Your Hair
When I saw a soda can disintegrate into a container of hair relaxer while watching Chris Rock's 2009 documentary, Good Hair - I knew my days of getting a perm were over.
The thought of that can dissolving sickened me.
Before seeing the documentary, I didn't know much about the ingredients in relaxers. I just knew that every Sunday my mom would straighten my hair with a hot comb and I hated it. So, when I got my first perm in middle school I was ecstatic, it meant no more singed kitchen and no more burnt. Right?
Wrong!
As it turned out, relaxers weren't the golden ticket I anticipated.
The Truth About The Lye
By now, we should all know the truth about the chemicals in perms. Lye and no-lye relaxers contain sodium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate. These are chemicals that burn the scalp and damage hair follicles. Even Gabrielle Union recently admitted in her new book that she attempted to get "good" hair by using relaxers and it caused her to , developed lesions on her scalp.
When I eventually went natural in 2011, I didn't plan on ever looking back. It was a whole new world.
So, when I recently came across a debate online about naturals who relax their edges, I didn't know what to think.
Isn't the point of being natural is to be chemical-free? This is where I say that what a woman does with her hair is her own business. How you choose to exhibit your crown is a personal choice.
But, the question is - do relaxed edges mean you're not natural?
Technically? Yes.
Although, that depends on your definition of "natural." It also depends on your reasons for going natural in the first place. For me, it was about saying "goodbye" to harsh toxic chemicals. For this reason alone, I would never relax my edges. Especially when there are so many healthier alternatives. Edge control products, pomades, gels, and oils can do the trick without causing any damage.
If you have a lay-resistant hair texture, you can apply water and the product of your choice. Wrap a scarf around your edges at night and you'll wake up with your baby hairs in complete submission. Try the Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother by Carol's Daughter ($8) or Creme of Nature's Argan Oil Perfect Edges ($5).
Besides a little hair routine change-up, some self-acceptance can lay an edge or two as well. It can at least allow you to be happy with what you're working with. The natural hair community is hyper-supportive and there are tons of resources available online to help you find your way. How-to videos, product reviews, and tips and tricks are at your disposal day or night.
So if you feel compelled to chemically straighten your edges - do you, queen!!! Just know that in the process of getting processed, you're damaging your hair and scalp. But no matter what you do, try to embrace your natural hair. We all have different hair journeys, and different is beautiful.
What do you think about naturals with relaxed edges? Share your edge-laying tips!
SP Jackson, is a freelance writer, pop-culture junkie, and avid reader. She's written for Buzzfeed, Travelocity, ebay, and Grubhub with a concentration on beauty, travel, lifestyle and pop culture. SP lives in Los Angeles with her fiancee and cat, Bixby.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage