How dangerous are the chemicals in hair relaxers?

[Yoshii]

Seems a bit dramatic but then again experts say using a chemical relaxer would be the equivalent of pouring drain cleaner on your head. Chemical relaxers contain an ingridient called "lye" which basically breaks things down (in it's original case bonds in the hair to make is straight). I used to relax my hair and stopped because I was suffering major damage since my Mom had been relaxing my hair sinse I was 3. Let's just say: My hair got thin, I had absolutely no nape (back of your head), I had breakage and split ends, My hair became limp and brittle. Thank God I was able to reverse it all!

Basically relaxers eat away at things so it may be possible that is could dissolve that can. Seems a bit far-fetched but makes me wanna try it out for myself.