You’ve no doubt seen the many YouTube videos of people attempting to relax and color their hair on the same day to only end in disaster. While the damage may not be visible immediately after, it will only be a matter of hours or days. Professional and knowledgable hairstylists will never recommend getting these two services on the same day.
Is it possible? Sure, but just because something “can” be done does not mean it’s safe or should be done. Particularly if you talking about something as precious as one’s hair.
The overwhelming number of hair trends has incited impatience in clients as they want that look immediately. But this isn’t always safe to do if it requires getting a relaxer and color on the same day. Given that these two hair services significantly changes the hair structure, there needs to be time in between the services.
About Chemical Hair Services
You can make curly or wavy hair straight by applying a relaxer. The hair shape is chemically changed by applying strong chemicals directly to the hair. To keep the hair agile, moisturizers and conditions are required for proper aftercare.
Coloring your hair increases the porosity of the hair shafts. This is why more hair loss from breakage tends to happen when brown is hair dyed blond versus brown hair dyed brown. The more ammonia and peroxide in the hair dye, the higher degree of hair weakening and ultimately hair loss.
Hair dye penetrates the hair to change the color and appearance of your hair. So, it’s perfectly logical to assume that this process could cause or lead to hair loss. Particularly if this process is not done correctly and/or proper hair care is not followed after treatment.
Why You Shouldn’t Get A Relaxer and Color On The Same Day
Both relaxers and color are chemical services that can severely damage the hair and scalp if not applied correctly. For this reason, getting a relaxer and color on the same day is highly discouraged. A relaxer breaks down the bonds of the hair, thus wavy or curly hair becomes straight. And the color can cause those bonds to become even weaker leading to dry, brittle hair, or even hair loss.
In short, there should always be a two week period after a relaxer before getting permanent hair color. While some say a one-week period before getting color, one week is not nearly enough time to repair the hair.
Additionally, the pH agents used in hair relaxers are much higher that those used in hair dye. This is not to say that one treatment is less harmful than the other because they both contain chemicals. These agents; ammonium, sodium hydroxide, etc., penetrate deep into the hair shaft down to the cortex. That’s where they’re going to work by attacking your permanent hair bonds that connect your keratin molecules together.
In general, the common amount of hair shedding is 50 to 100 hairs per day. If you get a relaxer and color on the same day, you’ll definitely lose way more hair than that. And it won’t be because that’s normal, it’ll be because you’ve completely stressed out and damaged your hair.
Safety Before Beauty
Whether permanent or semi-permanent, hair dye penetrates the hair to change the color and appearance of your hair. Coloring your hair decreases its ability to retain moisture. The more ammonia and peroxide in the hair dye, the higher degree of hair weakening and ultimately hair loss.
Now, knowing this, what do you think will happen to your hair if you get a relaxer on the same day? You guessed it. Severely damaged hair and most likely, hair loss. In addition, your scalp will become extremely inflamed. Although we do make products for scalp inflammation, they are not meant to be used on a raw scalp. In this case, we recommend a prescription from your doctor so you don’t get an infection or scabs.
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