pH(potential
hydrogen)
The pH
scale is used from 0(acidic) to7(neutral) to14(alkaline).
Virgin
Hair pH=3.67
Scalp pH=5.5
Water
pH=7.0
Skin pH=5.5
Pediatric
shampoos “no-tear” pH=7.0
Alkaline pH (any product applied on hair
that has pH higher than 3.67) may increase the negative
electrical charge of the hair fiber surface and increase friction between the
fibers. This may lead to cuticle damage and fiber breakage. It is a reality and
not a myth that lower pH of shampoos may cause less frizzing for generating
less negative static electricity on the fiber surface.
This is
one of the reasons why we use conditioners. Conditioners have positively charged polymers (cations)
that will quench those negative charges. They deposit on the hair and at
the same time they provide lubrication to the fibers among other things
After
using a shampoo of pH higher than 5.5, conditioner of low-pH should be applied
so that besides lubricating, the electrostatic forces can be neutralized, the
frizz effect eliminated and cuticle scales may be sealed.
