Why is pH Balance Important for Hair in South Burlington, VT? How to Check pH Level, Best Hair Care Products & More

The right haircut, perfect color, maybe even the right perm or other hair services paired with the right products are all important for good hair days. However, what often goes unconsidered is the pH of the hair. With the right pH balance, your hair is better than ever. With this in mind, we at Hed2Toe Salon & Luxury Consignment Boutique would like to elaborate on understanding the pH of your hair.

Why is pH Balance Important for Hair?

The pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline a substance is, which scales between 0 and 14. Neutral is at 7, anything below is acidic and anything higher than 7 is considered alkaline. Known as sebum, the oil on the scalp, along with the pH of the hair is usually between 4.5 and 5.0. This natural acidity leaves the cuticle closed and healthy as well as prevents fungi and bacteria from growing in the hair and scalp. When the hair’s pH is imbalanced from the hair products people use, it leaves the hair looking dry and brittle. The cuticle will open if the substances have a high alkaline and when the substance is too acidic, the cuticle will contract. Below is advice on how to maintain a better hair pH balance and avoid dry or damaged hair.

How to Tell pH Level of Hair & Best pH Balanced Products for You

It’s important to establish what the pH level is currently. There are a number of conditions that can indicate the pH of your hair, which are:
Itchy, flaky, dry scalp. If you experience these issues and/or you have concerns with eczema, fungi or bacteria, your scalp and hair is likely to have high alkaline. The naturally acidic sebum that fights bacteria is probably being stripped by using products that have a high pH above 7. Products, especially shampoos with lower pH are likely to cause less frizzing and breakage and prevent the hair from drying out. Selecting a shampoo and other hair products with pH balanced shampoo, with a pH of 6 or 7 is in your better interest.
Treated hair. For those that have permanently dyed, permed or relaxed hair, your hair was first treated with a highly alkaline substance to expose and change the hair’s cuticle. During the process, the hair is neutralized with a highly acidic substance to flatten the cuticle again. Having balanced pH products is essential to combat the high-alkaline from developing.
Curly hair. Making sure your strands have a slightly acidic pH level is very important since naturally curly hair indicates that cuticle is already partially open. Due to the open cuticle prevents naturally acidic sebum from keeping the entire hair at a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5.
Naturally straight. Use hair care products that are pH balanced since the natural pH balance is from the sebum moving through your hair. Applying the pH balanced product should only just be done once.

Consult Labels & Check pH Hair Products

Be sure to read the labels and note how your hair responds. You should test them to see how they affect your hair if they don’t say they’re pH balanced for your hair. You can test the pH with test strips, usually sold on online beauty supply stores if the pH is not noted in the label. Choosing pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair with is essential and those that think baking soda, is a better choice, it is not. It’s better to pick a pH balanced shampoo instead because baking soda is very alkaline with a pH of 9 and can dry out and damage your hair. Rinse your hair after using both a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner. Because water has a pH level of 7, it better neutralizes your hair.

Hair Care & More in South Burlington, VT (Just Minutes Away from Burlington, Winooski, Essex, Williston, St George & Shelburne, Vermont)

Be sure to invest in a good leave-in conditioner to help better manage your hair. When it comes to hair products, the experts of Hed2Toe Salon & Luxury Consignment Boutique can help you find the right combination for good hair that is healthy and stunning. Call us today for curbside pickup of hair products to enjoy beautiful and healthy hair during this time. We miss you and look forward to seeing you as soon as the shelter in place orders are lifted.

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