When relaxing the hair, you need to be careful, because the chemicals can harm the hair if not operating properly. If you follow these steps, then you can apply a hair relaxer correctly.


Step1 It is important to select the strength of the hair relaxer. T1he texture of your hair can determine the strength of the relaexer you are going to use. For example, if you have coarse hair you would use a "super" strength hair relaxer.


Step2 Prepare a towel before you apply the relaxer. Since a hair relaxer is made up of chemicals, it is important to protect clothing in case the chemicals splash. You can prepare a towel and wrap it around your shoulders.


Step3 Get started to part the hair in sections. Work with dry hair and divide the hair into 4 quadrants: front left, front right, back left, back right.


Step4 Use a rat-tail comb and make 1/8th-inch (3 mm) sections.


Step5 To protect hands from chemicals caused by the hair relaxer, you can put on gloves.


Step6 Mix the hair straightener product. Usually hair relaxer comes as a cream or paste and there will be chemicals that will be mixed together to complete the relaxer chemical process, so that the desired straightened effect can be achieved..


Step7 Apply the relaxer to 1/8-inch (3mm) sections. You will need to use a color brush or a 1-inch (2.5 cm) paint brush to apply the relaxer to the sections. Saturate the hair with the relaxer. Apply the relaxer to all 4 sections until the hair is completely coated.


Step8 Use your fingers or the back of a comb to work out the curls. Begin at the section you started with when applying the relaxer. Divide the hair, again, into small sections. An eighth of an inch (3 mm) is fine. Using your fingers, begin to pull the hair to stretch out the curl. You can use the back of a comb for this as well, just run the flat spine of the comb along the hair. Repeat this in all 4 quadrants and twice to each quadrant.


Step9 Leave the relaxer on the hair according to manufacturer's directions.


Step10 Rinse the hair in hot water. Hot water opens the hair cuticle, which allows you to rinse the relaxer thoroughly from the hair. Rinse for at least 5 minutes depending on the length of the hair.


Step11 Shampoo the hair with neutralizing shampoo, if required. The manufacturer's directions may indicate that you shampoo immediately after rinsing out the relaxer. Each hair relaxer manufacturer has different processes when it comes to this step.


Step12 Use a moisturizing conditioner on the hair to help with damaged ends. Hair relaxer chemicals are harsh so they can alter the structure of the hair. Damage to the hair is to be expected.


Step13 Dry and style the hair as desired.