There’s a lot of hype around pH balanced shampoos, which can make you feel like completely changing your hair care routine to suit this breed of hair cleansers. But before that, maybe understand what pH balanced shampoos are and whether they apply to you.
What is pH and a pH balanced shampoo?
The term pH is used to measure the hydrogen ion concentration, which basically tells you if something is acidic or alkaline. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being your neutral point. Anything below 7 is considered to be acidic and anything above is alkaline. Vinegar and lemon are considered acidic, while baking soda is alkaline.
A pH balanced shampoo means that the manufacturer of that shampoo has identified a particular pH value for their product. They believe it’s where the shampoo works the best. Most good shampoos are already pH balanced.
How is the pH of shampoos going to affect your scalp and hair?
The human body also has its own pH values, which implies that things could be acidic or alkaline. Generally, the surface of your body has an acidic pH value, which means it’s below 7. The pH value of hair is 3.67 and the scalp is at 5.5.
You don’t need to necessarily get into the figures and start matching it, all you need to remember is that the ecosystem is on the acidic side. There are various reasons for this and a disruption in your pH levels can cause quite a few issues:
- Moisture loss and frizzy hair – Your hair strand is acidic because it forces a contraction of the cuticle layer and prevents moisture loss. If your hair ecosystem turns alkaline, it can open up the cuticle and lead to frizzy hair.
- Disruption in oil levels – The sebum or oil that is secreted by your scalp gives the hair its acidic nature. It forms an acid mantle that protects your scalp from bacteria, germs, and microbes. A change in pH levels can dry out your scalp and make it vulnerable to harm.
- Hair breakage – An alkaline pH can increase static electricity and friction between hair strands. A rough texture can cause knots and hair breakage. In extreme circumstances, it can also weaken hair strands and lead to hair fall.
- Hair texture – Alkaline products might not be beneficial to your hair, but neither is an extremely acidic substance. It can alter the structure of your cuticle and cause a sudden change in the texture of your hair strands.
Is there any relation to Dandruff?
Dandruff is caused by a naturally occurring fungus known as Malassezia Globosa, which breaks down any excessive oil build-up on your scalp into fatty acids. If you are sensitive to this, your body will react in the form of redness, severe scalp itching, and flaking of dead skin cells.
Using highly alkaline products can break the acid mantle on your scalp and strip away the natural oils. This can trigger your body into secreting even more oil to compensate for the loss. It allows the dandruff causing fungus to grow and can aggravate an existing dandruff condition.
Benefits of pH balanced shampoos
There are various benefits to using a pH balanced shampoo, once you’ve identified whether your shampoo is acidic or basic.
- Reduce frizz and breakage – Taking a cue from your sebum, these shampoos can close up the cuticle layers and reduce frizz. It can help reduce the friction between hair strands and curb breakage.
- Itchy scalp and inflammation – If your pH levels become alkaline or extremely acidic, there is always potential for inflammation and infections. Checking whether your shampoo is acid or base can help reduce the chances of this.
- Protects hair colour – Alkaline products are used to open your hair strands and colour the hair shafts. But a consistently alkaline hair can keep the cuticles open and let your hair colour escape out.
- Dandruff – The shampoo pH levels can determine oil production on your scalp. This has a direct impact on the amount of dandruff you may see on your shoulder. A balanced pH shampoo can regulate the acidity of your scalp and reduce the chances of a dandruff breakout.
How to use pH balanced shampoos?
If you’re using a reputed brand, you should not have too many issues. But you can keep an eye on the following tips:
- Select the right product – Find a shampoo that suits your hair type and texture, because pH balanced shampoos can vary.
- Frequency – Some shampoos should be used only once a week. You can also search for shampoos which are gentle enough for everyday use.
- Shampoo and conditioner – Use a conditioner along with your shampoo. Conditioners usually have acidity regulation and can help close the cuticle if your shampoo has a slightly higher pH value. You can even use products like the Head and Shoulder 2 in 1 Smooth and Silky, which brings together a shampoo and a conditioner.
- Don’t mix products – It’s not advisable to combine too many products in your search for pH balance, as they can react and cause more issues.
- Get help – If you’re looking for a special product, it’s best to get expert advice.
Most people don’t have time to fret over the pH levels of their scalp and hair. If you’d like to, try pH balanced shampoos and see how it affects your hair. There are also shampoos like the Head and Shoulders Lemon Fresh, a shampoo that can also get rid of visible dandruff flakes and is gentle enough for everyday use.