The shampoo’s PH index says a lot about how it will act on the hair. Learn how to identify the best option for your hair type.
The pH of the shampoo can greatly impact the product’s performance and directly interferes with the health of the scalp. Therefore, using a shampoo with an inappropriate pH value for your locks can cause problems such as burning, dermatitis, itching and redness, in addition to damaging the appearance of your hair.
Contrary to what many think, shampoo is not only responsible for cleaning the scalp, in fact, it also interferes with factors such as, for example, the shine and frizz of the hair. Among the various reasons that influence these results is the concentration of surfactants, the addition of antistatic and super-greasing agents and the pH of the formulation.
So, it should be noted that knowing how to choose the pH of your shampoo can help keep your hair beautiful and healthy, avoiding a series of problems. But after all, how to choose the ideal composition? Well, we will explain this to you throughout our article. So, stick around and check it out.
What is shampoo PH
PH of shampoo means Hydrogen Potential and it is this potential that indicates whether a compound is acidic, neutral or alkaline. The PH scale ranges from 1 to 14.
In general, shampoo has an average of 6 and 7. On the other hand, conditioners have an average of 3.5 and 4.5. In fact, it is important to highlight that these averages must be close to the isoelectric point of your hair, so that the strands reach neutrality.
Types of hair PH
- Acidic PH: Average from 1 to 6.9. However, healthy hair should have an average of 4.5 and 5.5.
- Neutral PH: Indication equal to 7.
- Alkaline PH: Average of 7.1 to 14. It means that the hair is damaged, that is, it has a fragile texture. In addition, it is more difficult to retain liquids.
How to keep your hair neutral
Firstly, to maintain the balance of the hair, it is important to use slightly acidic shampoos, with a pH of 4 to 5. This measure is ideal for closing the cuticles without altering or harming the hair structure.
It is worth mentioning that if the pH of the shampoo is higher than 7, avoid it! In fact, this product will leave your hair fragile, brittle and dull. On the other hand, low pH shampoos provide more shine, texture and a healthy appearance to the hair.
Finally, to neutralize the pH of your locks you need to maintain a care routine. To do this, follow a complete hair schedule with hydration, nutrition and reconstruction steps, which will be able to replenish the hair mass and nutrients in your strands.
So, what did you think of this article about the pH of shampoo and hair? Take the opportunity to also check out: Saline serum for hair – Benefits and ways to use.
Sources: Soft Hair, Cleber Barros, Terra.
Image sources: Yahoo, Época Cosméticos, Feminina and Original.
