What is the Difference Between Relaxing and Rebonding

The main difference between relaxing and rebonding is that rebonding is designed to break the hair bonds, while hair relaxing is designed to soften tight curls. Furthermore, in rebonding, a heated flat iron is used to reset the bonds and straighten the hair, whereas in hair relaxing, the hair does not get fully straightened.

Although both hair relaxing and hair rebonding use chemicals to straighten hair, the two techniques have different end results. Therefore, before choosing between rebonding and relaxation done, it is better to research more about the difference between these two hair straightening techniques.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Relaxing  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Rebonding
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Relaxing and Rebonding
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Relaxing and Rebonding
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Hair, Relaxing, Rebonding

What is Relaxing

Hair relaxation procedures basically aim at straightening the hair. But unlike hair rebonding, during hair relaxing, the hairdresser does not fully straighten the hair. Instead, it involves softening very tight curls. When you relax your hair, you will have to straighten it later if you prefer it completely straight.

The chemicals hairdressers use in hair relaxing are usually lye-based, like sodium hydroxide. Lye, being a strong alkaline with a high pH level, helps to straighten hair very quickly. However, you can go for alternative non-lye relaxers like guanidine hydroxide as well.

Most significantly, hair relaxation can be effective cost-wise and is not time-consuming as the process does not fully straighten your curls. But hair relaxation procedures, if performed badly, may cause terrible side effects such as scalp irritation, dry hair, and even hair loss. Therefore, it is necessary that you meet up with a professional stylist if you want a relaxing treatment for your hair. The experience and the expertise of a professional hairdresser would help in selecting and applying the appropriate chemicals correctly to your hair. It would also make sure that the hair rinsing is done on time in order to avoid further damage to your hair or scalp.

What is Rebonding

Rebonding is a hair straightening technique that was first developed in Japan. Thermal reconditioning and Japanese straightening are other names for rebonding. This hair straightening technique later expanded and became popular among the Asian communities.

Similar to the hair relaxing process, hair rebonding involves chemicals and heating the hair to make it straighten. Rebonding uses a solution of strong chemicals such as ammonium thioglycolate, guanidine hydroxide or sodium hydroxide with a mixture of perming solution. As hair rebonding is a technique that helps to break the hair bonds, hairdressers use a hot flat iron to make the hair straight.

The end result of rebonding is most often beautiful-looking hair with a rich natural texture, and it usually remains unchanged for up to seven months. If you decide to try rebonding, you should know that rebonding is an unrepairable process, and any hair damage is irreversible. 

Similarities Between Relaxing and Rebonding

Both, hair relaxing and rebounding, are hair straightening techniques.

These processes use different chemicals to achieve the end result.

Both relaxing and rebonding can have side effects such as dry hair and loss of hair.

Difference Between Relaxing and Rebonding

Definition

Rebonding is a hair straightening technique that breaks hair bonds, while hair relaxing is a hair straightening technique that softens tight curls. 

Chemicals Used

In hair relaxing, the chemicals used are usually lye-based, like sodium hydroxide. But you can go for alternative non-lye relaxers like guanidine hydroxide as well. Rebonding, on the other hand, uses a solution of strong chemicals such as ammonium thioglycolate, guanidine hydroxide or sodium hydroxide with a mixture of perming solution.

End Results

In rebonding, hairdressers use a heated flat iron to reset the bonds and straighten the hair. Therefore, after a rebonding treatment, post styling is not usually necessary. However, in hair relaxing, the hair does not get fully straightened, so it needs further styling.

Conclusion

In brief, the main difference between relaxing and rebonding is that hair relaxing does not involve fully straightening the hair and requires further styling whereas rebonding involves fully straightening and resetting the hair bonds.  Whether you are choosing relaxing or rebonding, it is important that you go to a professional hairdresser to ensure the quality of the service you receive.

Reference:

1.“Permanent Hair STRAIGHTENING & Chemical Relaxing Q&A.” Philip Kingsley.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Maintenance Hairdresser Beauty Salon Fashion Hair” (CC0) via Max Pixel
2. “Women-lady-hair-girl-woman-5131079” (CC0) via Pixabay

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