research The pH of lye and no-lye hair relaxers, including those advertised for children, is at levels that are corrosive to the skin 12 citations , November 2019 in “South African Medical Journal” Lye and no-lye hair relaxers can damage skin.
research The Effects of the Chemical Relaxer Lye on Hair Cortisol Concentrations January 2026 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Lye relaxers don't significantly change hair cortisol levels.
research Acute ‘relaxer’-associated scarring alopecia: a report of five cases 29 citations , May 2007 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Hair relaxers can cause lasting scalp damage and hair loss.
research ‘Relaxers’ damage hair: Evidence from amino acid analysis January 2011 in “Yearbook of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery” Hair relaxers are linked to reduced cystine levels and potential hair damage.
research Cuticular damage to African–American hair during relaxer treatments – A microfluorometric and SEM Study 3 citations , May 2009 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” Relaxer treatments damage African–American hair, with commercial products causing more harm than lab-made solutions.