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Neutralizing shampoo

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cocoberry10

cocoberry10

Well-Known Member
Hi Ladies:

I am contemplating whether to self-relax, and I had a conversation with a friend who does. She has bra-strap length hair and swears you don't NEED to use neutralizing shampoo. I totally disagree, and am trying to get feedback from those who self-relax or have info on the topic. Thanks!
 
Ive known alot of women who never use Neutralizing Shampoo who's hair is fine..

Id just rather not try that out :lol:
 
I wouldn't try it, BUT, affirm and a lot of newer relaxer systems have introduced the "neutralizing conditioner" -- this is a very low pH condish (around 4.5 pH) that can be used immediately after rinsing out the relaxer and it is arguably much much better than a neutralizing 'poo 'cause it does several really good things for hair in its most fragile state:

1. it immediately begins to neutralize and lower the hair's pH (just like the 'poo, but without the harsh detergents)
2. it immediately beigins to condition and strengthen the hair when it is most receptive and the cuticles are still open
3. it lowers the pH much more gently than the 'poo because you leave the condish on for 10 to 15 minutes and avoid the constant rinsing, which causes the cuticles to "swell" and become further weakened and compromsed. I read that rinsing freshly relaxed hair too vigorously is one of the most damaging things because the cuticles are wide open and the water pressure "swells" the cuticle (like a sponge that is too wet) and contributes to more damage every time it is rinsed.

This is what convinced me to swith to affirm years ago (back then, it was the only system incorporating the "neutralizing" condish and was an innovative concept). I believe a lot of other systems include this step now (motions, design touch, etc.).

I leave the neutralizing condish in for at least 15 minutes or longer (I think the longer its left in, the better it neutralizes) and I only need to wash with the 'poo like once or twice, rather than the 4 or 5 times necessary if condish had not already done 90 percent of the neutralizing. This reduces the need to constantly rinse and apply water pressure to the weak and fragile hair. This idea is also quite contrary to what stylists traditionally do, which is use the highest water pressure and shampoo your hair to death immediately after relaxing -- but as we're learning on this board, some of those "traditions" are the worst things for our hair.

Long post, just to say, I don't think it's totally crazy, but does require further research before I would throw out the neutralizing 'poo. . .
 
I agree with anky...girl you better use that neutralizing shampoo. It purpose is to restore the ph of your hair. I wouldn't even risk it if i were you:p
 
Some say you only need a shampoo with a low pH (4.5-5.5) but I don't know about that.

Also like another poster said they have neutralizing conditioners now. Motions, Profective, etc.
 
Thanks for all the info! I wouldn't plan to not use neutralizing shampoo, but I wonder if my friend uses the neutralizing conditioner. She also uses affirm relaxer. I would think neutralizing conditioner is the same as shampoo, but that it just adds those extra conditioning agents right after the relaxer, instead of stripping oils like shampoo does.
 
Friends of mine with brastrap or longer hair also don't use neutralizing shampoo after they relax. I've been told by several credible sources that it's not the shampoo that does the neutralizing it's the water. The shampoo is just there to be an indicator (by turning pink and whatnot) of whether or not the water has done its work. So the theory goes if your shampoo thoroughly with regular shampoo you should get the same effects, just without a clear indicator. I however always use neutralizing shampoo, I like looking at the pink disappear...:look:
 
SohoHair said:
Friends of mine with brastrap or longer hair also don't use neutralizing shampoo after they relax. I've been told by several credible sources that it's not the shampoo that does the neutralizing it's the water. The shampoo is just there to be an indicator (by turning pink and whatnot) of whether or not the water has done its work. So the theory goes if your shampoo thoroughly with regular shampoo you should get the same effects, just without a clear indicator. I however always use neutralizing shampoo, I like looking at the pink disappear...:look:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info!
 
I used to relax my hair all the time and not use neautralizing shampoo. Never had any problem. However, I wore short, curly wash and go hair at the time. So I'd cut it almost completely off and started from scratch every couple of weeks anyway so if there was any long term damage to be had it never got a chance to happen. I wouldn't try it on a head full of hair now though.
 
sprungonhairboards said:
I used to relax my hair all the time and not use neautralizing shampoo. Never had any problem. However, I wore short, curly wash and go hair at the time. So I'd cut it almost completely off and started from scratch every couple of weeks anyway so if there was any long term damage to be had it never got a chance to happen. I wouldn't try it on a head full of hair now though.
Click to expand...

Thanks Sprungonhairboards!
 
SohoHair said:
Friends of mine with brastrap or longer hair also don't use neutralizing shampoo after they relax. I've been told by several credible sources that it's not the shampoo that does the neutralizing it's the water. The shampoo is just there to be an indicator (by turning pink and whatnot) of whether or not the water has done its work. So the theory goes if your shampoo thoroughly with regular shampoo you should get the same effects, just without a clear indicator. I however always use neutralizing shampoo, I like looking at the pink disappear...:look:
Click to expand...

This is partly true. Water does all to most the neutralizing. BUT it is the shampoo's (neutralizing) job to stop the relaxer from 'relaxing.' Water can only do so much...
 
The way I see it is its all about pH's. Relaxers bring the pH of the hair up to as high as 13-- so any product that you use on your hair after that will have some sort of a "neutralizing" effect. Even the water with its neutral pH is considered acidic compared to the alkalinity of the hair after a relaxer. This is why some may be able to get away without a "neutralizing poo." I wouldn't try it though because I like and need the color alarm for my own peace of mind. :grin:

The thing is, water is often not low enough to bring the pH of the relaxed hair (13) back down to the normal 4-6 pH range. Almost all regular shampoos have a pH formulated in this normal hair range (4-6) and thats why they are said to be "pH balanced." After a relaxer though, even a shampoo in the 4-6 pH range may not be enough to totally neutralize and return the hair back to its normal pH. Some say it really only brings the hair down to a pH of 7-9 from the original 13, which is still slightly alkaline. This is where the neutralizing poo comes in. Most of them have lower pH's in the 3-5 range which really helps bring the pH of the relaxed hair down to normal.

I noticed that Affirm and a few other relaxers have a mid-protein conditioning step...so I decided to try that with my relaxer. For mine, I do a protein conditioning step using Aphogee 2 min reconstructor for about 5 minutes. This is right after the relaxer is rinsed with water (ph 7). The protein conditioner has a lower pH than the water which helps bring down the pH a little more. Then I finish with the neutralizing poo to really get the pH down to a normal range and a deep conditioning. I've found that doing it this way and reducing the pH gradually produces a better, thicker, fuller result. The protein conditioning step gives my hair body, volume, and strength following the relaxer-- not that limp, thin look I used to get. My hair has totally improved from this one little step. My 2.5 cents. :lol:
 
Last edited:
Sistaslick said:
The way I see it is its all about pH's. Relaxers bring the pH of the hair up to as high as 13-- so any product that you use on your hair after that will have some sort of a "neutralizing" effect. Even the water with its neutral pH is considered acidic compared to the alkalinity of the hair after a relaxer. This is why some may be able to get away without a "neutralizing poo." I wouldn't try it though because I like and need the color alarm for my own peace of mind.

The thing is, water is often not low enough to bring the pH of the relaxed hair (13) back down to the normal 4-6 pH range. Almost all regular shampoos have a pH formulated in this normal hair range (4-6) and they are said to be "pH balanced." After a relaxer though, even a shampoo in the 4-6 pH range may not be enough to totally neutralize and return the hair back to its normal pH. Some say it really only brings the hair down to a pH of 7-9 from the original 13, which is still slightly alkaline. This is where the neutralizing poo comes in. Most of them have lower pH's in the 3-5 range which really helps bring the pH of the relaxed hair down to normal.

I noticed that Affirm and a few other relaxers have a mid-protein conditioning step...so I decided to try that with my relaxer. For mine, I do a protein conditioning step using Aphogee 2 min reconstructor for about 5 minutes. This is right after the relaxer is rinsed with water (ph 7). The protein conditioner has a lower pH than the water which helps bring down the pH a little more. Then I finish with the neutralizing poo to really get the pH down to a normal range and a deep conditioning. I've found that doing it this way and reducing the pH gradually produces a better, thicker, fuller result. The protein conditioning step gives my hair body, volume, and strength following the relaxer-- not that limp, thin look I used to get. My hair has totally improved from this one little step. My 2.5 cents. :lol:
Click to expand...

Awesome! I will definately try this on my next re-touch. Thanks!
 
Sistaslick said:
The way I see it is its all about pH's. Relaxers bring the pH of the hair up to as high as 13-- so any product that you use on your hair after that will have some sort of a "neutralizing" effect. Even the water with its neutral pH is considered acidic compared to the alkalinity of the hair after a relaxer. This is why some may be able to get away without a "neutralizing poo." I wouldn't try it though because I like and need the color alarm for my own peace of mind. :grin:

The thing is, water is often not low enough to bring the pH of the relaxed hair (13) back down to the normal 4-6 pH range. Almost all regular shampoos have a pH formulated in this normal hair range (4-6) and thats why they are said to be "pH balanced." After a relaxer though, even a shampoo in the 4-6 pH range may not be enough to totally neutralize and return the hair back to its normal pH. Some say it really only brings the hair down to a pH of 7-9 from the original 13, which is still slightly alkaline. This is where the neutralizing poo comes in. Most of them have lower pH's in the 3-5 range which really helps bring the pH of the relaxed hair down to normal.

I noticed that Affirm and a few other relaxers have a mid-protein conditioning step...so I decided to try that with my relaxer. For mine, I do a protein conditioning step using Aphogee 2 min reconstructor for about 5 minutes. This is right after the relaxer is rinsed with water (ph 7). The protein conditioner has a lower pH than the water which helps bring down the pH a little more. Then I finish with the neutralizing poo to really get the pH down to a normal range and a deep conditioning. I've found that doing it this way and reducing the pH gradually produces a better, thicker, fuller result. The protein conditioning step gives my hair body, volume, and strength following the relaxer-- not that limp, thin look I used to get. My hair has totally improved from this one little step. My 2.5 cents. :lol:
Click to expand...

Thanks Sistaslick! You are always an inspiration!
 
Sistaslick said:
The way I see it is its all about pH's. Relaxers bring the pH of the hair up to as high as 13-- so any product that you use on your hair after that will have some sort of a "neutralizing" effect. Even the water with its neutral pH is considered acidic compared to the alkalinity of the hair after a relaxer. This is why some may be able to get away without a "neutralizing poo." I wouldn't try it though because I like and need the color alarm for my own peace of mind. :grin:

The thing is, water is often not low enough to bring the pH of the relaxed hair (13) back down to the normal 4-6 pH range. Almost all regular shampoos have a pH formulated in this normal hair range (4-6) and thats why they are said to be "pH balanced." After a relaxer though, even a shampoo in the 4-6 pH range may not be enough to totally neutralize and return the hair back to its normal pH. Some say it really only brings the hair down to a pH of 7-9 from the original 13, which is still slightly alkaline. This is where the neutralizing poo comes in. Most of them have lower pH's in the 3-5 range which really helps bring the pH of the relaxed hair down to normal.

I noticed that Affirm and a few other relaxers have a mid-protein conditioning step...so I decided to try that with my relaxer. For mine, I do a protein conditioning step using Aphogee 2 min reconstructor for about 5 minutes. This is right after the relaxer is rinsed with water (ph 7). The protein conditioner has a lower pH than the water which helps bring down the pH a little more. Then I finish with the neutralizing poo to really get the pH down to a normal range and a deep conditioning. I've found that doing it this way and reducing the pH gradually produces a better, thicker, fuller result. The protein conditioning step gives my hair body, volume, and strength following the relaxer-- not that limp, thin look I used to get. My hair has totally improved from this one little step. My 2.5 cents. :lol:
Click to expand...

Thanks Sistaslick! You are always an inspiration!
 
Their theory is wrong, you don't need a neutralizing shampoo per se, but you do need one with a low PH to neutralize the acidity of the relaxer. Most shampoos for "black hair" already have a low PH.

SohoHair said:
Friends of mine with brastrap or longer hair also don't use neutralizing shampoo after they relax. I've been told by several credible sources that it's not the shampoo that does the neutralizing it's the water. The shampoo is just there to be an indicator (by turning pink and whatnot) of whether or not the water has done its work. So the theory goes if your shampoo thoroughly with regular shampoo you should get the same effects, just without a clear indicator. I however always use neutralizing shampoo, I like looking at the pink disappear...:look:
Click to expand...
 
qtgirl said:
Their theory is wrong, you don't need a neutralizing shampoo per se, but you do need one with a low PH to neutralize the acidity of the relaxer. Most shampoos for "black hair" already have a low PH.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! Thanks to everyone. This has been extremely educational.
 
anky said:
You better get that neutralizing shampoo!
Click to expand...


OKAY-KAY-KAY! I don't disredit the neutralizing conditioner. I just know that for me, when I didn't know jack about my hair (pre LHCF), I didn't use neutralizing poo and I was a bald chicken. LOL :lachen::lachen::lachen::lachen:.


Maxi has a good neutralizing poo for .99 too!
 
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