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Best Hair Relaxers

Updated March 2023
How We Tested

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
December 18, 2021
57
Models
considered
18
Hours
researched
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Jennifer Manfrin
Written by Jennifer Manfrin

Updated March 2023

Curls are beautiful, but if you also like to wear straight styles without daily styling, using a chemical relaxer is an option. Also sometimes called permanent straighteners, these products work similarly to hair perms for straight hair, but in reverse – they chemically alter the structure of waves, curls, and coils to straighten hair, and typically last until new hair growth appears. Although these products can be drying to hair, modern varieties are made with moisturizers and conditioners that help prevent damage. In addition, today's relaxers straighten hair without extremely harsh ingredients like lye, and leave locks smooth and shiny.

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