Is a texturizer safer than a relaxer? Is texturized hair still natural? Find the answers to these questions and more here including the pros and cons as well as how to care for it.
Overview
All hair types have their advantages and disadvantages. Straighter hair, however, seems to be seen as more glamorous, hence all the products made for turning naturally curly one into straight.
For afro type, this transformation is only permanently achieved by chemicals specifically formulated for the purpose called relaxers. The process of chemically straightening naturally curly, coily, or kinky hair is called relaxing.
Texturizer falls somewhere between products that sort of support curly hair types, and those that try to break down the natural curl pattern.
In essence, texturizers are relaxers that are designed to be left on for a short period of time. The purpose for this is because they aim at giving you a softer, looser curl pattern, not completely straighten it.
Stay with us for more information on texturizers for natural black hair.
Truths on texturizers vs. relaxers
Here are more things you should know before you process use these products that have been much praised and claimed to be natural without any effects.
1. They are not natural
Even if they say so on the box, and no matter how many ingredients they say are added in, that hair texturizing product is still based on sodium or calcium hydroxide which you should know are the main ingredients in lye and no-lye relaxers respectively. Don’t be fooled into thinking you are buying a non-chemical brand. These products are every bit as chemical as your regular relaxer.
We can also confidently say there is no such thing as a natural texturizer. They are not necessarily milder than relaxers
Just because they leave some curls does not mean they are milder than relaxers. What the box says may also be misleading if you depend on it to compare a relaxer vs. texturizer.
The difference comes in at the amount of time you leave the product on your hair to process it. With a texturizer you should achieve desired results in a shorter time, most products say ten minutes or thereabouts.
A relaxer will need to be left on longer. If you ignore the rules for use and leave it for a long period of time, you will end up with over-processed, damaged hair that will be more straight than curly. See, it is basically the same thing with a relaxer.
Another difference between the two is the result. In the former, you should end up with completely straight hair while the latter leaves it still curly.
2. Texturized hair is not natural
It may look natural, even feel natural with the texture and all, you could fool a few people into believing you were born with that full head of bouncy curls, but the point is, it is no longer natural the minute you apply this product. People looking to make their kinky curly hair sometimes opt to texturize or texlax because they want to keep the natural look.
Though the transformation may not be as dramatic as when one uses a relaxer, the treatment is permanent and there I no way the texturized one will revert to its natural state. That is without cutting or growing it out.
Pros and cons of using texturizer for black hair
Below reasons, you may love choosing to texturize your natural hair and a few why you may not.
Reasons hair texturizers are great
- It could loosen your curl pattern, making it more manageable. You will especially appreciate this if you have super kinky hair.
- You get to keep some texture as well as the volume if you choose a curl texturizer over a relaxer.
- You can style it in a variety of looks. You can still incorporate the hairstyles you used while it was natural. They may even be easier to style since it is more manageable.
- You can do a wash and go. For men and women with fine, and wavy hair types, this may not sound new, but for those blessed with tighter curls like 4C types, being able to pull off a wash and go is an exciting possibility.
- You are likely to get less shrinkage if you have afro-textured hair that shrinks a lot of contact with water.
- You do not need to touch up or update as often as a relaxer since the new curly growth will easily blend in with the parts treated with texturizer.
Reasons texturizing may not be a good idea
- It is chemical, so if you are a nature buff or product purist, this is not for you.
- The results are permanent. You cannot go back unless you grow it out or cut.
- Using them sometimes could go wrong and you end up with uneven hair with some parts straighter or more loosened than others.
- It weakens hair as all chemical treatments are wont to do. If used wrongly or you have a very fine kind, it may even leave you with damage and breakage.
- It works better on shorter than long hair. You are more likely to get a uniform head of curls if you have short hair, a long one doesn’t turn out quite as well with a moisturizer.
- Runoff during touch-ups may end up on already processed hair straightening it further and leaving you with some straight ends. Since straight ends were not what you were going for with a texturizer, this is a terrible con.
How to care for your texturized Curls
Because it is a chemical treatment and breaks down some of the protein in your hair, you will need to make regular treatments a regular thing. This is to maintain strong strands.
You should also ensure that during though ups, no texturizing product goes onto the already texturized part.Not only could you lose your curls but you may end up with damaged over processed hair too.
A texturizer will only work on curls you already have, so you can only get desired results with it if you have natural hair with the curls still intact. Chemically relaxed or permed one will not curl up just because you applied a texturizing product. Even the best brands will not give you curls if you have wavy or straight hair naturally.
The result will also be as good as the hair type you have as texturizer only loosens them. It does not give you new curls. If your curls are corkscrew naturally, it will only make them bigger but the shape stays.
Thus don’t feel too disappointed if the S curls or waves do not come in looking like the models on the box. You could be dealing with a different hair type.
The results you get from using it heavily depend on your natural hair curl pattern.
Ensure you get a curling product that helps it retain moisture too.
It will also help to ensure that you use a texturizing product properly. If you are not sure, track down a stylist with experience in texturizing hair. He or she may even advise you on the best texturizers in the market. You could also see if they can recommend a good texturizer specifically suited for your hair type.
Can you get one that suits you?
It should not be that hard to find products to use as the black hair market is pretty vibrant. If anything you will be spoilt for choice with some cosmetic manufacturers going with whole lines of products. Others pick niches, making hair texturizer for kids exclusively, for fine hair, etc.