pH Balancing

ThaBadbrey Herbalist Says;

As you may or may not know, the level of Acidity/Alkalinity of liquid is measured using the “pH” scale. Whilst 7 is perceived as being “Neutral” (For example pure water), any liquid categorised within any measurement above this magnitude is identified as being “Alkaline”, whilst those below are seen as “Acidic”

Now, the “pH” or “Potential for Hydrogen” (Potenz Hydrogen to be exact) of our hair and skin is around 4.5 to 5.5 which is slightly acidic. This level of minute acidity provides us with a protective layer known as the “Acid Mantle”, that protects us against harmful bacteria or viruses, that may penetrate the skin, by neutralising (Figuratively speaking rather than within a scientific context) these primarily “Alkaline” INVADERS.

Anyway, let me get to the point,
It is imperative that we keep our skin and hair within this level of “acidity” in order for them to thrive. If our hair and/or skin falls outside these “pH” parameters, being either too acidic or way too alkaline, the health of these parts of our anatomy may suffer in return.

So,
Any “Product” applied to the hair and/or skin must also fall within this “pH” level or they will be compromised as a result. This is why when ever I buy any Shampoo/Conditioner/Bubble Bath, I make sure that the labelling states it as being of a specific “pH” Number or pH Balanced/ Dermatologically tested. Plus, when I get home, I often devise some means of testing the “pH” levels of these products MYSELF.

As for Our hair, Acidic products close the cuticles of our hair whilst those that are Alkaline open them. This is the whole reason behind hair “Conditioners”. Their role is to bring the hair back (or closest to) the acidic level that it was prior to the (more often than not, Harsh) Shampooing process. Shampoos tend to be slightly less acidic than Conditioners. Coupled with water (pH 7, Neutral which swells the individual hair strands), the cuticles are very often left open after Shampooing has taken place. If hair is only washed with Shampoo, and “No Conditioner is applied” the cuticles are often left open and the hair will often fill brittle/dry and breakage prone (Especially when using Shamposs that contain harsh chemicals, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which strip the hair of the natural oils (Sebum) secreted by the sebaceous glands within the scalp of our “Head-Top”…lololol).

In my opinion, Shampoo and Conditioner is “Long Bruv”, ( this is common colloquial slang used in many parts of London, as a means to express a situational circumstance that may cause some type of inconvenience in some way or another. Example; “Its ‘gonna'(going to) take me 3 hours to get to your house,…..thats “Long-Bruv”!) why, because the hair is taken on a journey of expansion and contraction each time it is washed using this process. However, for those who prefer to utilise this cleansing method, my advise would be to ensure that the “pH Parameters” (4.5 – 5.5″) are met before applying it to your…ermm person..lololol. This can be carried out using pH Strips/Litmus Papers (As long as the measurements are from 1-14) purchased from Local Pharmacies/Online or obtained, T**fed/J**ked from the Scientific Department of some type of Educational Institution (Disclaimer; I do not condone the theft of any type of scientific equipment from any type Educational Institution, Establishment or building thereof, whether or not the aforementioned equipment is located or stored inside or outside of the building of said Establishment).

So,

In Conclusion, if you want Healthy Hair & Skin, Make sure that the pH PARAMETERS ARE MET!

P.S.-:I hope I haven’t bored you, and if I have I DON’T CARE  as this must be addressed as far too many “Black People” have NO idea how to care for their own hair without causing some type of damage.

Yours Truly

ThaBadbrey Cosmetologist

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