What is the difference between natural and relaxed hair?

What does it mean to have ‘natural’ or ‘relaxed’ hair?

Natural and relaxed are two terms that you may hear a lot when talking about hair. When people say ‘natural’, they’re referring to their own hair’s texture. If someone tells you that they have natural hair, it means that their strands are not chemically treated with chemicals like relaxers (which straighten your curls). On the other hand, if someone says “I got my hair relaxed,” this is usually a way of saying that their curls were chemically relaxed into straightness with a chemical treatment such as a relaxer or texturizer.

This distinction can feel more important than it really is—especially if you’re new to the term “natural” and don’t know exactly what it means—but here’s why this distinction matters: There are differences between these types of treatments which make them react differently when exposed to certain products like dyes or heat styling tools. For example, relaxed hair tends to be more resistant than natural-textured strands because its cuticle layer has been smoothed out by heat from relaxing chemicals like sodium hydroxide (lye).

Differences in the way natural and relaxed hair reacts to hair dye.

There are several differences between natural and relaxed hair that you should know before you start to dye your natural tresses. Let’s go over them now:

• Natural hair is more porous than relaxed hair, so it will absorb more dye.
• Relaxed hair contains less moisture than natural hair does, which means that the color might not take as well on relaxed strands.
• Because of the porosity of natural strands, it’s important that you use a moisturizing shampoo before applying any dye products to your mane. This will help keep your strands hydrated while also preventing fading or damage from occurring due to dryness or friction between hairs (which can lead to breakage).

The risk factors of using chemical dyes on natural hair.

You’ve probably heard the saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This couldn’t be more true when it comes to dyeing your hair. Dyeing your hair with a chemical dye can cause serious damage that could lead to breakage, dryness, and excessive shedding.

Many dyes contain ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and other chemicals that can damage the natural hair shafts by breaking down keratin proteins and penetrating deep into the cortex (the innermost layer) of each strand—causing more damage than good.

The most common effects are:

• Hair breakage
• Split ends

Should you use chemical or natural dyes?

• If you decide to use chemical dyes, make sure they’re low-pH products. These are gentler on your hair and may be less damaging than regular hair dye.
• Natural dyes are safer for natural hair, but they do contain chemicals. You can find some natural products that will help protect your hair during the dying process, but it’s best to avoid direct contact with your scalp during application and rinse out any residue thoroughly afterward (after 24 hours).

Natural hair can be dyed, but using a dye that contains chemicals can cause serious damage.

You can dye your natural hair. But there are serious risks involved.

If you choose to dye your natural hair with a chemical dye, then you need to know that it will damage your hair. The chemicals in these dyes can irritate the scalp and cause dryness, breakage, more shedding and more knots. You also need to know that there are better options for coloring your hair that won’t harm it as much or at all!