Health Concerns

 

-           Perms can cause hair thinnage, breakage or even permanent hair loss.” Relaxers permanently alter the natural pH balance and chemical breakdown of your hair, weakening each strand of your hair. “ (Akorra 1)

-           Perms can also cause frizzy, dry hair and give one split ends. “Your hair is made up of layers. The outer layer protects the hair shaft. When layer of protection is damaged with the use of chemical relaxers this causes the ends of your hair to split.” (Akorra 1) Also, adding chemicals to your hair causes it to lose moisture, resulting in dry hair.

-          Perms can cause scalp irritation and burns, this is the result of leaving the perm solution for a long time on your head.

-         Perms can also lead to scalp infections.

-         Lastly, can cause respiratory and stomach problems. “Potassium hydroxide, also called ‘potassium lye’ is a very strong chemical and inhaling the chemical may cause coughing, sneezing, and breathing problems. If exposed to for long periods it is strong enough to cause damage to your lungs. Ingesting potassium hydroxide can be equally damaging resulting in burns to the mouth and/or throat, vomiting, sever stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting and even death." (Akorra 1)