An improved aqueous human hair relaxer composition is disclosed that contains effective amounts of active human hair straightening ingredients and excipients, and having a pH value of about 12 to about 14, whose improvement comprises the incorporation of a dissolved or dispersed discoloration-inhibiting effective amount of alpha-hydroxy-C1-C6 sulfinate of Formula I, below, whereR1, R2 and M substituents are defined within. A method of using such a composition to straighten human hair without the discoloration to grey or white hair that normally accompanies relaxation is also disclosed.
