What is pH in hair?
We often hear about the pH of hair and cosmetic products.
The pH is the potential of hydrogen, and indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions present in solutions. In other words, it is a unit of measurement that determines the alkalinity or acidity of a substance.
The pH scale
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being a chemically neutral pH.
Thus, values ranging from 0 to 6 correspond to the acidic range, while values ranging from 8 to 14 correspond to the alkaline range.
The pH of hair
Each type of hair has a different pH.
Healthy hair, in optimal health, usually has an acidic pH (between 5 or 5.5), so we can say that hair is naturally acidic.
Why does the pH of hair become unbalanced?
When the pH of hair is between 5 and 5.5, the cuticle is closed and smooth, looking healthy and shiny. It is usually virgin hair, which has not been chemically treated.
But when we subject the hair to bleaching or coloring processes, which are very alkaline, the hair tends to alkalinize. This pH imbalance makes our hair look dull and rough. In these cases the cuticle opens more easily, the hair is weaker and tends to frizz.
Super TIP
To keep your hair healthy and pH balanced, choose quality products and avoid subjecting your hair to extreme treatments.
