- Joined
- Jan 25, 2009
- Messages
- 3,284
- Reaction score
- 2
Your Hair and Skin have a pH level between 4.5 - 5.5. Ideally, shampoo's should be formulated to closely match this pH.
pH refers to "potential Hydrogen" . A pH of 7 is considered neutral; anything higher then 7 is considered to be alkaline and anything lower then 7 is considered to be acid based. Most hair care companies, professional or not, do not state the pH level of their shampoo's. Off the top of my head I can think of only 3 professional lines that list their pH.
Now that you know about the pH scale, your probably asking 'why do I care? How does this relate to my hair?!'...Truth is, it has a lot to do with the condition your hair is left in.
Typically, shampoo's designed to give you volume will have a high pH - generally between 7-8; The reason for this is because by having a higher pH in a volumizing shampoo, the alkalinity will open the cuticle and raise the fibers, thus allowing the hair to appear plump and fuller. Only problem with this is that by having such a high pH, we are leaving our hair cuticles wide open and susecptable to extrodinary amounts of damage. A lot of companies choose to leave the pH of certain shampoo's higher becuase lowering it takes a lot more time (to lower the pH level by 0.5 it takes an additional 2 hours) and money.
A lot of companies shampoo formulations will naturally sit on the alkaline side of the pH scale with their pH being lowerd by adding ingredients such as Citric Acid; over exposure to Citric acid can cause dryness to the hair and scalp. They may also compromise the stability of the product, giving it a lower shelf life.
A "good" shampoo formula will naturally be acid based; if the forumla is already on the acid side of the scale, no adjustments need to be made. The formula will be milder and more gentle on the hair and scalp.
For those who actually got through this long thread, I hope you have a better understanding of pH levels and your hair
pH refers to "potential Hydrogen" . A pH of 7 is considered neutral; anything higher then 7 is considered to be alkaline and anything lower then 7 is considered to be acid based. Most hair care companies, professional or not, do not state the pH level of their shampoo's. Off the top of my head I can think of only 3 professional lines that list their pH.
Now that you know about the pH scale, your probably asking 'why do I care? How does this relate to my hair?!'...Truth is, it has a lot to do with the condition your hair is left in.
Typically, shampoo's designed to give you volume will have a high pH - generally between 7-8; The reason for this is because by having a higher pH in a volumizing shampoo, the alkalinity will open the cuticle and raise the fibers, thus allowing the hair to appear plump and fuller. Only problem with this is that by having such a high pH, we are leaving our hair cuticles wide open and susecptable to extrodinary amounts of damage. A lot of companies choose to leave the pH of certain shampoo's higher becuase lowering it takes a lot more time (to lower the pH level by 0.5 it takes an additional 2 hours) and money.
A lot of companies shampoo formulations will naturally sit on the alkaline side of the pH scale with their pH being lowerd by adding ingredients such as Citric Acid; over exposure to Citric acid can cause dryness to the hair and scalp. They may also compromise the stability of the product, giving it a lower shelf life.
A "good" shampoo formula will naturally be acid based; if the forumla is already on the acid side of the scale, no adjustments need to be made. The formula will be milder and more gentle on the hair and scalp.
For those who actually got through this long thread, I hope you have a better understanding of pH levels and your hair