Beauty News, Maya Chia

pH of hair: What is it and why does it matter?

09
Jul

Did you know that pH balance is crucial for your hair, just like it is for your skin? Every hair care product you use has a pH level, and finding the right balance is key to maintaining healthy hair. The pH level of your hair care products directly affects the balance of the hair cuticle. Let’s dive deeper into what pH is and why it matters for your hair.

Understanding pH

The term “pH” stands for potential of hydrogen. It measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH level from 0-6 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and 8-14 is alkaline or basic. For example, stomach acid and lemon juice are highly acidic, while milk and coffee are mildly acidic. On the alkaline side, soap and bleach are highly basic, whereas baking soda and salt are mildly alkaline.

Virtually all liquids and solutions, including hair care products, have a pH level. But how do these pH levels interact with your hair, and why are they important?

pH and Hair Care

Maintaining a balanced pH is essential for healthy hair. Natural, healthy, undyed hair typically prefers a pH level around 3.67, while the scalp’s acid mantle has a pH of about 5.5. This slightly acidic nature helps protect the hair from bacteria and maintains moisture levels.

The hair shaft has three layers: the medulla, cortex, and cuticle. The cuticle consists of microscopic scales that overlap like roof shingles. Products higher on the pH scale (more basic) soften and lift the cuticle, allowing moisture and ingredients to enter the hair shaft. Acidic products (lower pH) seal and smooth the cuticle, locking in moisture and nutrients.

Shampoos usually have a higher pH to remove buildup, debris, and oil, while conditioners have a lower pH to replenish the hair’s natural acidic state. When the pH range becomes imbalanced, hair becomes vulnerable to damage. Treatments like bleaching, dyeing, and perming, which are highly alkaline, need to be followed by acidic conditioning treatments to restore the hair’s pH balance.

It’s also worth noting that the water in your shower can affect your hair’s pH. The average tap water pH ranges from 6.5 to 9, which can influence your hair’s health. This makes it important to choose hair care products that maintain the right pH balance.

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Improving Hair pH Balance

When your hair’s pH level is off balance, it becomes more susceptible to damage. The Mane Agent | Advanced Molecular Bond Repair is an innovative leave-in treatment designed to repair damaged hair bonds at a molecular level. It forms long molecular chains that bond to broken keratin proteins, restoring hair shape, structure, and strength. These molecular chains fill voids in the hair, reducing porosity and preventing further damage.

The Mane Agent has a pH level ranging from 4.1 to 4.3. Applying it to damp, shampooed, and conditioned hair allows the product to penetrate the opened hair shaft and sink into the cortex. Its acidic nature reinforces and smooths the cuticles, locking in nutrients and smoothing each strand.

Choosing the right products for your hair care routine means understanding how their pH levels affect your hair’s health. Consider The Mane Agent | Advanced Molecular Bond Repair as the final step to balance your hair’s pH and strengthen your strands.