Ace the Connecticut Barber Licensure Exam 2025 – Shape Up Your Future with Style!

The primary ingredient in most hair relaxers is sodium hydroxide. This compound is a powerful alkaline substance that works by breaking down the disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin structure, allowing the hair to be reshaped from curly or wavy to straight. Hair relaxers containing sodium hydroxide are typically labeled as "lye relaxers," and they are known for their effectiveness in providing long-lasting straightening results.

In contrast, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, and ammonium sulfate are not commonly used as the active ingredients in hair relaxers. Potassium chloride has different uses and does not possess the necessary alkalinity for relaxing hair. Calcium carbonate is primarily used as a filler or neutralizing agent in cosmetic formulations rather than a key component in hair straightening. Ammonium sulfate, while sometimes found in hair products, serves different chemical functions and is not effective for relaxing hair. Therefore, sodium hydroxide stands out as the definitive primary ingredient in most hair relaxers.