When it comes to choosing the right best hair products, specific terms always come to mind like nourishing, volume, moisturizing, and natural. Major hair care brands have used these words to name and describe their products for decades. As a result, many of us are “conditioned” to think these elements are all we need for healthy scalp and hair. While these may be essential to keeping our heads feeling fresh and revitalized, there is one major factor that contributes to hair care which the largest brands often forget to mention-- pH.

What is pH?

You have probably heard of pH in the past, but unless you were an A+ student in your high school chemistry class, you most likely do not remember what it is.  Short for power of hydrogen, pH measures how acidic a substance is on a scale of 0-14. Neutral substances have a pH of 7, while anything below 7 is considered acidic and anything greater than 7 is basic, or alkaline.

For reference, coffee and lime juice are both acidic with ph levels of approximately 5 and 2, respectively. On the alkaline side of the spectrum, green tea has a pH level of about 8 while bleach sits almost at the end of the spectrum with a pH level of 12. Water is neutral with a natural pH level of 7.

The Importance of pH in Hair

Healthy pH level for hair is between 4.5 and 5.5 and anything below or above that is considered harmful for your scalp. A healthy pH level protects your hair from harmful chemicals in the environment and products like dyes. A pH level between 4.5 and 5.5 seals the hair cuticles to retain moisture and natural oils while preventing pesky breakage.  A healthy pH level will help your hair maintain its elasticity.

Conversely, a pH imbalance can weaken your hair as it can cause it to lose its ability to retain moisture and sebum, the hair’s natural moisturizer. If your pH is off balance and you regularly color or straighten your hair, you will suffer more dryness, breakage, and damage to your hair and scalp. A healthy pH level can help prevent all this while keeping the color from fading at the same time.

A New Era

It’s a well-known fact among haircare experts that pH plays a significant role in keeping your hair healthy and strong. So, why don’t hair care brands ever mention pH? Most hair care brands neglect to ever mention pH because most hair products contain harmful preservatives like parabens and sulfates which can disrupt the pH balance in your hair.

Fortunately, there is a new movement gaining momentum which aims to find natural, chemical-free ways to tackle pH imbalance in hair. At the forefront of this pH revolution is Salon pHactor, a company that focuses on pH in ways other big brands choose not to.

The Perfect pH Solution

Salon pHactor offers a collection of products specially designed to provide a complete solution to hair care. Salon pHactor products, made with naturally derived ingredients and no harmful preservatives, not only promote healthy pH levels but also help improve the rooting of hair and prevent hair loss. Additionally, their shampoo and conditioner are 100% color safe and provide a layer of protection against UV rays. Salon pHactor is also safe for the environment as all products are sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.  

If you are looking for ways to improve hair and scalp health, maintaining a balanced pH is the perfect start. For more information on how Salon pHactor can help you keep a healthy, strong, and silky head of hair, click here.