Hair relaxers flood the hair shaft with substances that are formulated to leave the hair straight with soft and smooth feel.  There are three hair relaxer chemicals that stylists commonly use so that women may achieve their dream of having a straight mane.

One type of Japanese hair relaxer used in order to swell and soften the hair is sodium hydroxide.  This chemical is what causes the hair to straighten after brushing.  Its result normally stays for a maximum period of six months.  Sodium hydroxide is a strong caustic hair relaxer chemical that is why only licensed salon professionals are supposed to use it.  Hair breakage and loss may happen because the high alkalinity level of this relaxer chemical. It's a usual practice to conduct strand test prior to undergoing this procedure to check that the hair is strong enough to hold out the strength of this substance.  

Another Japanese hair relaxer that is commonly used is the ammonium thioglycolate.  Its chemical components are milder than that of sodium hydroxide although it serves the same purpose.  This substance is a good alternative for those individuals who have colored or chemically processed hair.  Similar with sodium hydroxide, one should undergo strand test prior to the application of this Japanese hair relaxer to large portions of hair.

Now we come to the strongest but nonetheless the most effective Japanese hair relaxer product – thermal reconditioning.  This is best for those who have tightly curled hair because it restructures the hair from deep within the shaft.  As a result, hair lies flat with a smooth touch.