Milady Cosmetology Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Cosmetology Certification!

Hair that has been treated with hydroxide relaxers should not be treated with thio relaxers because hydroxide relaxers and thio relaxers are based on different chemical processes and can produce conflicting results when used on the same hair. Hydroxide relaxers contain stronger chemicals that break down the hair's protein structure, making it significantly straighter by disrupting the disulfide bonds.

Thio relaxers, on the other hand, rely on a different formulation that involves ammonium thioglycolate, which also alters the hair's structure but in a less intense manner compared to hydroxide relaxers. If thio relaxers are applied to hair that has been previously relaxed with hydroxide, the hair can become over-processed, leading to severe damage, breakage, and an undesirable texture.

Using hydroxide relaxers usually indicates a permanent alteration to the hair's structure, thus requiring caution when considering additional chemical treatments. It's important to recognize that the conflicting effects of these two types of relaxers can compromise the integrity of the hair, making it essential to avoid using thio relaxers after hydroxide treatments.

Other options like metal hydroxide relaxers, acidic relaxers, or herbal relaxers have different properties and may not exhibit the