WHAT’S PH AND WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH MY HAIR?

Most of us have forgotten what we learnt in chemistry class by now, but I will take you back just a little bit. We learnt about pH level, a major factor when it comes to the health and strength of your hair. The pH level makes a significant difference in how your hair strands feel and how they look.

Let’s delve into the science a little bit more. The pH scale falls between zero and 14. Between zero and six, pH is said to be on the acidic side. Between eight and 14, pH is on the alkaline side. At seven, pH is neutral.

Healthy hair pH

Health hair’s natural pH should fall somewhere between 4.5 and 5.5, which means that hair’s natural pH is somewhat acidic.

Anything below that is not healthy and anything above this range is not healthy either. Unfortunately, most of us do not have ideal hair pH because external aggressors like shampoos, colouring, and bleaching push our hair pH balance into the alkaline side. The pH balance of hair is a very delicate thing and can get disrupted fairly easily.

When the pH balance is disrupted, the outer layer of the hair (also known as the cuticle) starts to lift and causes frizz and breakage. Beyond that, a more alkaline state affects the bacteria and oil on the scalp, potentially causing dandruff.

How to maintain a healthy pH level

Healthy hair begins from the roots, and this is why hair growth is much more than an art but a science as well.

The secret to an ideal hair pH level is thus a hair care system with shampoos that are pH balanced and conditioners that are slightly acidic. When hair is treated with such a unique combination, it helps to keep hair in a pH sweet spot. This hair care system that you use must also have unique protein and moisture levels based on the specific needs of your hair type and hair colour.

This means that you must pay particular attention to the kind of hair products that you use on your hair. Not any garden variety of hair products should satisfy you, and the fact that it works for your friend does not mean that it will work for you. This is because you probably do not have the same hair type. So consider your hair type before you choose your conditioner, shampoo and other hair products.

Four steps for you to consider

Step 1: Treat your hair with a shine enhancing mask while you sleep. Shine enhancing masks help to smooth your hair cuticles, and increases shine and healthy appearance, also having an exfoliating effect on the scalp that helps to lift the plaques of dead cells.

Step 2: Once you are awake, gently cleanse your hair with a pH balanced shampoo that cleans the hair without stripping your strands of their natural oils.

Step 3: Now condition your hair with a pH balanced conditioner that nourishes hair without leaving any residue. The best conditioner is the one that reinforces the scalp’s natural barrier to lock in moisture, leaving you with supple, silky-looking strands.

Step 4: If you are experiencing broken strands, this last step is for you. Get a split ends treatment that is suitable for your hair type and work this into your damp hair. While at it, pay special attention to the ends. Keep in mind that the less split ends you have, the less frizz you experience.

Why take care of your hair’s pH balance?

It will help protect your hair from bacteria: When you have a normal pH balance, your hair regains its ability to seal hair cuticles, thereby preventing unwanted breakage and locking in natural oils. This acts as protection against fungus and bacteria.

It supports hair growth: When you use proper hair products formulated for your hair, it allows your hair follicles to expand, and releases moisture which helps to support hair growth. This is because losing moisture actually stalls hair growth, as strands become brittle and dry. Use a balance hair care system that gently cleanses and removes dead skin cells and the build-up of products, without stripping your hair of moisture levels.

It will help you maintain moisture: You want gorgeous, glossy and healthier-looking hair? Then you need to know that moisture is key. When your hair loses moisture, it becomes lacklustre, dry, and breakage-prone. When you have a great hair pH balance on the other hand, you have optimal secretion sebum, a natural oil that protects your hair and scalp to keep them healthy and moisturised.

Other things to do

Use a clarifying shampoo, possible once every month or once every two months because clarifying shampoos have higher pHs. However, they do help to clear build up on hair. Be especially careful if you have high porosity hair. In such a case, use very sparingly. Once done with the clarifying shampoo, follow up with a normalising shampoo such as a moisturising shampoo or shampoo for damaged hair, and then a conditioner with low pH.

If you have low porosity hair, you can start with shampoos with higher pH. This will lift up all the build up in your hair. You can then use a low pH conditioner to rebalance your pH.

In conclusion

At the end of the day, look for pH balancing hair products will help repair broken hair bonds and reverse any damage that has been done to your hair and scalp from various environmental and chemical factors.

As you use these hair products, the overall health of your hair and scalp will improve with each use.