Dallas has a question: What is the pH of Soft and Beautiful texture softener for kids and is it ok to use on my six year old hair which is so hard to manage she is African American 100%.
The Left Brain has an answer: 
The Right Brain has blogged before about the chemistry of relaxers and how they work. They all contain some kind of caustic material that reacts with and reshapes the proteins bonds in your hair. The Soft and Beautiful product is a “no lye” relaxer because it’s based on calcium hydroxide and guanadine carbonate instead of sodium hydroxide. Also, in order to work properly, relaxers must function at a high pH. (Soft and Beautiful has a pH of about 13.) However, the pH is not the critical factor to consider in terms of damage, it’s the concentration of the active ingredients.
Because of their reactivity, all relaxers can be dangerous if they are not used properly. But at least the Soft and Beautiful uses a lower active level than a standard relaxer so it has a milder relaxation effect that is designed for softening the texture of children’s hair. Therefore, it should be ok to use on your daughter’s hair as long as you follow the instructions carefully. I can’t emphasize this point enough: if you leave the relaxer on your hair too long, it can cause increased hair breakage and scalp irritation. Write back and let me know how your daughter’s hair turns out.
What do YOU think? Does the need to relax children’s hair outweigh the risks of exposing them to potentially dangerous chemicals? Leave a comment and share your concerns with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
i don’t know how i feel about relaxing a child’s hair . while i sympathize with Dallas, there is just something so wonderful about children’s natural, virgin hair. she’ll have years ahead of her to worry about her hair.
Since the parent mentions that the daughter is “African American 100%” I wonder if the parent is not African American. If not and if taking care of a different hair texture is the real problem, I suggest that the parent take her to a Black hair. They will help you to take care of her hair without chemicals. You are asking for lots of hair breakage now and hair “issues” later if you start relaxing her hair at this age. Learn how to cope with her natural hair texture.
Since the parent mentions that the daughter is “African American 100%” I wonder if the parent is not African American. If not and if taking care of a different hair texture is the real problem, I suggest that the parent take her to a Black hair salon. They will help you to take care of her hair without chemicals. You are asking for lots of hair breakage now and hair “issues” later if you start relaxing her hair at this age. Learn how to cope with her natural hair texture.
Personally, I think all relaxers are harmful. They break down the hair’s structure and it’s just a matter of time until the chemicals catch up with you.
No ma’am! The child’s hair is not the issue – let it do what it does. There are LOTS of styles for virgin African-American hair.
Step away from the box, and run toward a wide-toothed comb, ponytail holders, water, moisturizer, and someone who can help you care for your child’s hair.
I know you care or you wouldn’t have bothered to ask the question.
You can also consider cornrows.
Good luck!
Check out:
http://www.biracialhair.org/
The site is incredible, an excellent site full of tips for not only biracial (or AA) women who are struggling against their wonderful hair, but for ethnic white women as well. Please check it out and give the techniques in it a pop instead of turning your daughter’s hair into something it isn’t in order to render it manageable. Very, very curly hair just isn’t going to tolerate being treated as if it’s simply defective straight hair.
Hey Dallas, it really does sound dangerous to use relaxers especially for a child. There must be healthier and more natural ways to manage African hair. Sorry I’m not so familiar with African hair. But maybe jojoba can do any good? I personally love jojoba.
It is absolutely risk-free and naturally contains lots of vitamine E,A and lots of other goodies. Also has a soothing effect and is very similar to our skin fat (sebum). Won’t clog your pores. It is a wax not oil, so it doesn’t have the disadvantages of oils. You can put a few drops like 2-3 in your palm together with your shampoo (and/or conditioner). It blends very easily together. This makes my hair smoother and easier to handle.
To tame the hair, you can apply a few drops in your palm, rub it and then go over your dry hair. Jojoba should be cold-pressed and organic. Jojoba can be used in and for many different ways. Did I mention I love it?
Did you know that M&M Products Company, the ethnic grooming and hair care pioneer, recently introduced the first children’s product line made to treat specific hair and scalp problems, some of which are caused by relaxer misuse? They have case studies on the Web site that you’ve got to see showing how GroHealthy heals, restores and helps nurture the growth of little girls’ damaged hair. By the way, it’s also the maker of Sofn’free n’Pretty, one of the relaxers pictured above that’s formulated specially for young hair. Look at site; it also has helpful kid-friendly styling tips.