What is hair pH and why is it important?
2/20/2023
The pH level of the hair, along with proteins and hydration, determines the health, strength, length, shape, and color of our hair. In order for the hair to look beautiful and be in top shape, we must ensure that the pH level remains within the desired range.
What is hair pH and why is it important for me?
Let's recall what we learned in chemistry class - the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14; 0 to 6 is the acidic side of the spectrum, 7 is neutral, and 8 to 14 is alkaline.
The natural pH of our hair is somewhat acidic, around 4.5 to 5.5 - these values are optimal for the hair. Why is this important to know? Most of the products we use to treat our hair disrupt this delicate pH balance and send us to the alkaline part of the scale. This disruption can be caused by more aggressive chemical treatments such as coloring or bleaching,but also by seemingly harmless products such as some shampoos.
The end result? The outer layer of the hair is damaged, the cuticle scales begin to lift, and the hair loses strength and becomes brittle. Not to mention that the more alkaline state can affect the bacteria and natural oils on the scalp and cause dandruff.
How do I maintain the pH of my hair in healthy range?
Choose your hair products very carefully and trust only brands that understand how to take care of the proper pH balance of your hair. Often, natural shampoos, developed from natural ingredients and without additives, are more alkaline and increase the pH of the hair. This can make the hair drier and lead to breakage. That's when you will want to switch to more acidic products.
But the choice of hair cosmetics should not be complicated, and there is no need to spend a lot of time taking care of the pH level of your hair. Simply choose cosmetics that will take care of your hair in the long run and regulate the pH level. Our experience shows that Redken products are an excellent solution. Redken shampoos have a balanced pH, while the conditioners are slightly acidic - this is a uniquely developed combination that ultimately maintains the ideal pH level. Even better, with Redken, you can find the exact product series for your hair, whether it is fine, depleted, dry, or dyed.