20 Jun Head to Head: Natural Versus Relaxed Hair

Perhaps one of the most infamous debates within the hair community is whether to maintain natural hair or get a relaxer. At Salon Brazyl, we service both natural and relaxed clients with the goal of helping you achieve your healthiest head of hair through education and product knowledge. While there are pros, cons and fine people on both sides of the debate, the only person that can choose how you rock your tresses is you – even though school systems, workplaces and passersby may think they can make that choice through biased rules and regulations. 

We’re laying out some of the advantages and disadvantages of natural v relaxed hair so that you can make the right choice for your hair journey. 

We should start by saying that despite what you may hear, it is possible to have healthy, relaxed hair as long as you are caring for it and replenishing the lost nutrients with deep conditioning treatments and regular trims. Similarly, if you’re not properly caring for your natural hair, then it may not be as healthy as you’d like.

Relaxed Hair

A hair relaxer, sometimes referred to as a “perm” – short for permanently straightened – is a chemical agent that breaks down the protein bonds within your hair to cause your curls to straighten. 

Lots of women choose to use hair relaxer for certain advantages.

Pros of Hair Relaxers

• Less knotting and tangles
• Faster to style since you don’t have to stretch the hair before styling
• Stays straight regardless of humidity, wind or rain

But other women choose to transition back to their roots or never get a perm because of apparent downsides.

Cons of Hair Relaxers

• Chemicals weaken the hair which increase the chance of regular breakage
• Chance of permanent damage to the scalp and hair
• Can become limp
• Easier to manage but harder to maintain healthy hair

Natural Hair

If you have seen the hair growing out of your scalp, then you know what natural hair is – 100% natural and unaltered. Currently, the natural hair movement is picking up steam with women returning to their roots and encouraging others to do the same.

Naturalistas may choose to sport their curl pattern for the Numerous Perks

Pros of Natural Hair

• Structurally stronger than relaxed hair
• High elasticity to fight regular breakage and shedding
• More volume and bounce
• Versatility of styling including straight and curly styles (wash and go, twist out, silk press, weaves, protective styles)

Rocking natural hair isn’t for everyone and some women succumb to the creamy crack because of these natural hair struggles.

Cons of Natural Hair

• Shrinkage – straightening is required for length checks and maintaining length on curly styles is hard
• Knots and tangles can cause breakage during styling, but they result from lack of infrequent trims or improper detangling
• More time consuming – prepping the hair the night before and completing the look in the morning requires more time than simply combing out straight hair. Not to mention the time required for wash days and length checks.
• More expensive due to the price of natural hair products and extensive salon services 

Natural, relaxed or somewhere in between – however you choose to wear your hair is your choice. If you really want to see your locks thrive though, make sure you’re giving it the T L C that it needs through moisture and maintenance. Length, shine and beauty are well within the reach of all women, and we want to help you reach your full potential. Book an appointment with Salon Brazyl and let us help you achieve your best look this summer.