Lye vs No-Lye: An Experienced Perspective

I have done a post before about the scientific differences between Lye and No-Lye and its affect on the hair. Basically Lye is more damaging to the scalp and No-Lye is more damaging to the hair. After experiencing both types for a good period of time I have to say that I prefer Lye.

Now I will never tell anyone to use one over the other, this is just a point of view based on my experience.

I have to say that No-Lye is great because it can get the hair straighter, so a + for No-Lye. No-Lye relaxers are less damaging to the scalp so there are no scabs to speak of, no unsightly dandruff, and so ++. However, No-Lye causes the hair to become porous (meaning the pH level can be off which causes dry or over moisturized hair), more so for some than others. I know that the hair that I have that is No-Lye does not absorb product as well as my hair that is Lye, so -. This can be solved by using a chelating shampoo at least once a month and a porosity controled shampoo to be sure the hair has a balanced pH. My hair is balanced with the use of Roux porosity control and I do chelate occassionally. However, this is not necessary if I use lye!

On the other hand Lye relaxers are better for my hair. The hair that is relaxed with Lye is smooth, moisturized and so ++. I do not burn from Lye, but since it is harsher that is always a possibility, so -. If this ever happened my scalp would have to heal and then the hair could start growing again, so not ideal! However I have yet to experience this, so no harm no foul. Really I have not experienced any adverse affects from using Lye and so I will use Lye from now on. My hair air dries better with Lye.

This is not true for everyone, but as I said this is my experience.