What is the primary ingredient in most hair relaxers?

Sodium hydroxide is indeed the primary ingredient in many hair relaxers, particularly those designed for stronger and more resistant hair types. This chemical is classified as a strong alkaline agent, which opens up the hair cuticle and allows for the breaking of disulfide bonds in the hair's structure. By breaking these bonds, sodium hydroxide effectively loosens the natural curl pattern, resulting in straighter hair.

Hair relaxers often come in different formulations, each tailored for specific hair textures, but sodium hydroxide remains a common choice in formulations aimed at chemically straightening coarse or curly hair. Its potency is key to achieving the desired straightening effect when used correctly.

In contrast, while other options like ammonium thioglycolate are used in different types of chemical treatments (typically for perming rather than relaxing), they do not serve as the primary ingredient in most relaxers. Calcium carbonate is primarily used in other applications and does not have a role in hair relaxing treatments. Pantothenic acid, a form of vitamin B5, supports hair health but is not an active ingredient in the chemical process of relaxing hair. Thus, sodium hydroxide stands out as the main ingredient in most hair relaxers due to its strong, effective properties in altering