Final answer:
Applying a hydroxide relaxer to previously relaxed hair can cause significant damage due to over-processing, resulting in breakage and brittleness. It is important to only apply relaxers to new growth and to do so professionally.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you apply a hydroxide relaxer to hair that has already been straightened with a hydroxide relaxer, you risk severely damaging the hair. Hydroxide relaxers work by breaking the disulfide bonds in hair, causing the protein structure to change and the hair to straighten. Once a relaxer is used, the disulfide bonds are permanently broken and the hair is left in a weaker state.Reapplying a hydroxide relaxer to already relaxed hair can lead to over-processing, which may result in breakage, brittleness, and an overall unhealthy appearance. It is important to only apply relaxers to new hair growth rather than previously treated hair. To avoid damage, it is typically recommended to wait a significant amount of time before reapplying a relaxer, and to ensure that the application is done by a professional who can assess the condition of the hair.
If you applied a hydroxide relaxer to hair that has already had a hydroxide relaxer applied to it, the hair can become severely damaged. Hydroxide relaxers, such as sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide, are highly alkaline and can cause the hair to break and become brittle.When a hydroxide relaxer is applied to the hair, it penetrates the cuticle and breaks the disulfide bonds in the hair, which are responsible for the hair's natural curl pattern. If another hydroxide relaxer is applied too soon, it can continue to break down the disulfide bonds and weaken the hair even further.It is important to allow enough time for the hair to recover between relaxer applications to minimize damage. Using a protein treatment and deep conditioning can help restore the strength and moisture of the hair after a relaxer.