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We know having healthy pH levels are important for your overall wellbeing, but did you know having an unbalanced pH on your scalp can limit the growth and overall health of your curly hair? No worries! We are going to walk you through the proper routine to make sure your curly hair is its healthiest and happiest.
First things first: what is pH? pH is the measurement of acidity in a substance on a scale of 0-14. 0-6.9 represent something that is acidic, a 7 is neutral, with 7.1-14 being alkaline.
Healthy pH levels are crucial for your curly hair, as this is what will fight off unwanted bacterias and funguses, as well as allow your curls to retain essential moisture. Your goal is to keep your hair’s pH between 4.5-5.5 for optimal scalp and curl health. To achieve this, you will want to use products that are less alkaline which will help maintain more acidity.
Use the right products: Avoid products using chemicals such as Triethanolamine and sodium hydroxide, which have an alkaline level of over 7. Using products such as this can throw off the natural pH balance on your scalp, causing your hair to be stripped of its essential oils and moisture. Without moisture, your scalp can become over dry, leading to lack of growth and dreaded frizz.
If your hair currently has good elasticity, this is a good indicator of the overall health of your curls. In order to keep your curls at their best and bounciest, you’re going to want to maintain essential moisture. This will allow sebum, your curl’s natural conditioner, to do its work. Healthy curls with enough moisture will bend, can be styled and will bounce back. Curls that do not achieve this might have an off balance pH.
Finally, avoid overusing chemical treatments on your delicate curls, such as relaxers, perms or hair dyes. Use of these chemicals drastically alters your natural pH levels, which can cause the protein structure of your curls to weaken. If you do use these products, know you’ll have to work extra to get your pH levels back to normal.