It's a relaxer that isn't as harsh as traditional relaxers. It involves leaving a solution on your curly/kinky/frizzy/wavy hair for about 45 minuted and the flat ironing it which then permanently straightens the hair. A relaxer is just a chemical straightener used primarily by women of color. It is the same as a perm, however black people use perms to straighten their hair and other races use perms to create curly hair.