Our Kinky Hair: A pH Balancing Act

Using pH balance to control your hair

With the research I’ve done so far, I’m convinced about what is said concerning pH balance in the hair. That it is a key component in protecting, nourishing and growing afro-textured hair.

It could mean the difference, as I’ve heard some black women say, between you sticking with your natural hair journey, or not.

When you discover the correct pH combination that is right for you, the hair is  properly moisturized and those kinks, curls and waves just pop with shine and definition!

What is pH?

pH stands , for those of us who remember chemistry class, ‘potential hydrogen’.

Ranging from zero to 14, it is a scientific system designed to measure acid and alkaline in a substance, in this case, hair.

With seven being neutral (water is a 7), anything below a 7 is acidic, anything above is alkaline.

What’s so important about discovering the levels when it comes to our hair?

Do you have a product, no matter how many great discoveries you find, you know you won’t give up? Your ‘tried and true’ product that hits a home-run every time? Most likely it has the perfect pH balance for your desired look.

Going up or down one number on the scale represents a tenfold change in acid or alkaline. This can mean the difference between your kinky hair being dry and course, or soft and smooth with great curl definition.

With hair being between a range of 4.5 and 5.5, our hair apparently needs a more acidic environment to thrive.

What you can do?

Since everyone is different – you may like a bushy look vs a more defined curl – finding the range that is right for you will take some experimenting.  Keep in mind that there is a definite healthy range no matter what the look you’re trying to achieve is. Too much in one direction and it can erode your hair and at the very least create an undesired look.

Remember, one number on the scale represents a tenfold change! It’s up to you to find what works.

You can find out the pH balance of the products you’re using with pH strips that may be found at your drugstore pharmacy or online.

The following video from Kim Love, someone we at Natural Haircare News consider  a ‘mover and shaker’ in the natural vlogging world will explain pH balancing much better than I can.

I am excited to take my afro-textured hair to the next level with this information and I know you will be too!

Kim Love from Kimmaytube

“Changing attitudes about natural hair” is what we do at Natural Haircare News. Through informative articles, podcasts and videos, we go beyond just sharing the latest advice and tips on kinky, curly, wavy haircare – We shake things up and focus on the realities of wearing our hair natural.