Empire Beauty School Chemical Texturizing Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

Lye relaxers are known to contain sodium hydroxide, which is a strong alkaline chemical that can be quite effective in breaking down the hair's natural curl pattern. However, this potency also carries a higher risk of irritation to the scalp. Lye relaxers tend to have a higher pH level, which can lead to discomfort or burns if not applied correctly or if left on the hair for too long. This increased irritation potential is why the correct answer highlights the aspect of scalp irritation when comparing lye relaxers to no-lye relaxers.

In contrast, no-lye relaxers usually contain calcium thioglycolate or other milder ingredients, which are formulated to be less harsh on the scalp. They may take longer to process the hair but are often marketed as being gentler and less irritating. Therefore, the focus on scalp irritation effectively differentiates the two types of relaxers and acknowledges the strengths and weaknesses specific to lye relaxers.