What is a potential risk of over-processing hair with relaxers?

Over-processing hair with relaxers can lead to significant hair breakage and damage, which is a primary concern in chemical hair treatments. Relaxers work by breaking down the protein structure of the hair to alter its curl pattern. When relaxers are applied too frequently or left on for too long, the hair can lose its natural moisture and strength. This excessive chemical exposure leads to weakened hair that is more prone to breakage, split ends, and overall deterioration.

While softness and volume can be desirable outcomes of a successful relaxer treatment, they are not indicative of over-processing. Increased elasticity, which can result in hair that stretches more than normal, is also not a direct result of over-processing; in fact, over-processed hair generally exhibits reduced elasticity. Color fading can occur due to various reasons, such as sun exposure or product use, but it is not specific to the effects of relaxers. The most damaging effect of excessive relaxer use remains the risk of breakage and irreversible damage to the hair structure.