How To Choose the Best pH Balanced Shampoo
By: Kenra Professional
You may be surprised to learn that your scalp has a pH, and it’s pretty acidic. Don’t remember anything about the pH section of your high school chemistry class? Not to worry; today, we will get into the nitty-gritty of pH and how it is important to the health of your hair and scalp. We will also reveal the best pH balancing products that you can use to take your hair from dull, dry, and damaged to healthy, shiny, and full.
What Is pH and What Does It Have to Do With Your Hair?
Okay, it’s time for a little high school chem review. Water makes up about 60% of the human body. So, it’s no wonder that both your skin and scalp also contain water. Every single liquid falls somewhere on the pH scale. The pH scale measures how alkaline or acidic a liquid is. The point is, your scalp, just like any other liquid-containing thing, has a pH, and it’s surprisingly acidic.
The pH scale ranges from zero to 14 pH. Any liquid that is between zero and 6.99 pH is acidic. Any liquids that are between 7.01 and 14 pH are basic, or alkaline. Water itself has a pH of seven, which is considered to be neutral since it is equal parts acids and alkalis.
The outermost layer of your skin has a pH balance between 4.5 and 5.5. That means that your skin is slightly acidic. Your skin is slightly acidic so that it can retain moisture and protect you from germs. In other words, your skin’s pH is highly functional, and you want to cleanse it with shampoo that is a similar pH so that you don’t disrupt it and dry it out.
Most shampoos are between 3.5 to 9 on the pH scale, which is a pretty wide range. If you are using a shampoo that is too high or too low on the pH scale, then you might be interfering with your scalp’s natural pH balance, causing hair damage and scalp irritation.
What Happens When the pH Balance of Your Scalp Is Off?
A lot of hair product companies do not pay any attention to pH, and they are not required to disclose the level of pH in their product. This means that it can be difficult to tell what the exact pH of a shampoo is unless they tell you. Even so, a lot of shampoos and cleansers have an extremely high pH that can cause your scalp and hair to dry out.
Have you ever gotten your hands squeaky clean with a bar of soap? Your hands squeak when they are done being washed because the soap cleans the skin, but it also sucks the moisture out. This is because a typical bar of soap has a pH between 9 and 12. This is pretty high for a product that we use on our skin, with a pH of 5.5.
When you use a shampoo with a super high pH, your scalp may feel super clean, but it can quickly become dull and itchy from dryness. It can also affect your hair follicle’s actual structure. Shampoos with a high pH will begin to lift the follicle’s outermost layer (known as the cuticle). This is what leads to split ends, frizz, breakage, and color loss or fading over time.
How To Balance Your Scalp’s pH
Now that you understand the importance of maintaining the natural pH balance of your hair, what can you do about it? Well, a couple of things, actually. Most importantly, you can switch to a pH-balancing shampoo. This is a great first step if you are just beginning to notice dryness and breakage and suspect that a pH imbalance could be the root of your problems. A pH-balanced shampoo can make a world of difference for dry, damaged hair.
Are pH Balancing Products Legit?
According to a study done in 2014, it is a fact that pH levels in shampoos can impact the health of your scalp, leading to cuticle damage and fiber breakage. So, it’s not just beauty gossip; it’s proven by science.
Although, the same study also states that while we have reason to believe that pH balancing shampoo formulas with a pH of around 5.5 may improve scalp irritation and follicle breakage, more research still needs to be done on the effectiveness of these shampoos. In other words, the concept is still a bit new, but moving in the direction of pH-balancing shampoos is a logical next step.
Which pH Shampoo Is Best?
Okay, enough science talk. Let’s get back to hair. After all, that is where most of our knowledge lies. Kenra Professional has been a leading hair product company for over 30 years. We used to make products exclusively for salon professionals, but nowadays, we are putting our premium products in the hands of anyone who wants to maintain the luxury of
salon-quality hair from the comfort of their home.
We have always valued the science behind great hair products. That is why we offer several different shampoo formulas that contain cutting-edge pH balancing technology. Of course, the right one for you will depend on what you are aiming to improve.
pH Balancing Shampoo for Added Moisture
If you are trying to improve hair that is dry and tangled, then we recommend you try our Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. This shampoo is specially formulated with a pH moisture-balancing system to cleanse your hair with a pH similar to your scalp’s natural pH to help your scalp and follicles lock in moisture.
This special formula hydrates for soft, smooth, shiny hair while balancing out your hair’s pH. It can also improve manageability by over 50%. With this powerful Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, you can take your hair from dry and lifeless to healthy, shiny radiance in just a few washes.
pH Balancing Shampoo for Preventing and Repairing Breakage
If you are more concerned about hair breakage from an imbalance in pH, then you should try our Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner. This haircare duo is formulated with a pH balancing system that works deep in the follicle to improve elasticity for healthy hair from root to tip.
When your hair becomes dry from pH imbalance, your hair’s cuticle lifts up, causing your hair to become more fragile and susceptible to breakage. If you think your hair may be suffering from the effects of imbalanced pH, then this is the shampoo and conditioner for you. It will give you visibly healthier hair after just one use.
This shampoo can reduce up to 99% of breakage, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your hair any further. It also fortifies your hair against daily aggressors to help eliminate any other sources of possible damage.
If you are trying to improve hair with a significant amount of damage, you should also try our Strengthening Treatment. This rich moisturizing treatment is a concentrated deep conditioner designed to deliver intensive repair.
To apply this treatment, wash your hair with the Strengthening Shampoo, rinse, and then work a generous amount of the Strengthening Treatment through your hair, focusing on the middle of the strands and the ends. Leave this treatment on for five minutes and then rinse thoroughly. You will immediately be able to see a difference in your hair.
Wrapping It Up
Maintaining the natural pH of your scalp and hair is essential to preserving the health of your hair. Now that you know the ins and outs of pH balance in relation to hair, you will be better equipped to protect and nourish your hair for gorgeous, shiny locks.
Remember to try and use a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated to balance pH levels. This is not a consideration that all haircare companies are concerned with, but at Kenra Professional, we know that it is important to use science to engineer our products to create predictable lasting results that preserve the overall health of your hair. All Kenra Shampoos and Conditioners have a pH-balanced approach to fit your needs.
After all, for many of us, our hair is a key part of our identity. Therefore, it is essential that we care for our hair intelligently and to the best of our abilities.
For more helpful information on hair product formulas, stylish tutorials, and more educational hair content, check out the Kenra Professional blog. We are committed to helping you get the best hair of your entire life. All you need is a little information and a couple of salon-quality products formulated with your hair’s needs in mind.
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