Q&A for How to Balance pH in Hair Naturally

Sure! As a board certified dermatologist, there are a few natural remedies that can work, such as apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, which can help restore the pH levels of the scalp and hair follicles, just be sure to dilute them. If you’re experiencing seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff, you may be better off with a sulfate free shampoo like head and shoulders to rebalance your pH.

Some people swear by rinsing their hair with a slightly acidic solution like aloe juice or diluted apple cider vinegar!

Some people recommend using apple cider vinegar instead of water for your final rinse.

Soft water is better for your hair than hard water, but some people do find that their hair looks limp after they switch to soft water. Try using a volumizing shampoo and avoid heavy conditioners, and see if that helps!

Try Bantu Yellow Out conditioner by Soft Sheen Carson. It will take out the yellow cast, and works on other colors too. You can get this at beauty supply shops or online. Or you can also try squeezing the lemon into your own conditioner. Shake well, then apply. Leave on for at least 10 minutes with a plastic bag covering it. If the cast is still there after a rinse, just apply more.

You can use apple cider once or twice a week. This is the best amount to use in order to correct dry and frizzy hair.

You can use a hydrating shampoo. Many brands make shampoos that are specifically designed to correct broken or damaged hair, so you can pick which one you like best and try it. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can talk to a professional hair dresser to get advice on how to proceed.

Make sure you rinse your hair really, really well with warm water, and then use a scented color protect shampoo and conditioner. Give it 2-3 good shampoos.

Should be between 4 to 7, because our average hair pH level is 4.5 to 5.5. The conditioner needs a slightly-acidic level to close the cuticle.

A measure of acidity or alkalinity. pH stands for potential hydrogen level, with a value of 0 to 17 (7 is neutral).

Try an intensive repair shampoo and conditioner to help strengthen the hair. After a few uses, you should see some improvement.

Ask for a hair product in a professional salon for re-growth and that makes the roots strong. And use a PH balance shampoo from professional brand. If the loss is really severe, see your doctor.

It is important to maintain the correct pH in your scalp and hair so it does not become dry, brittle or frizzy. Your hair generally has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which is acidic. Usually, more acidic hair will have closed hair cuticles, while more basic hair will have more open hair cuticles. For straight hair, use a shampoo that is neutral or slightly acidic (6 - 7 in pH). Curly hair is more basic, so to reduce frizz, use shampoos that are more acidic (4.5 - 6 in pH). However, shampoos that are too acidic (0 - 4 in pH) may cause your hair to become brittle and dry, as it reduces moisture absorption.

Use litmus paper - specifically the ones that come in a bottle that shows you the PH range you should compare the test strip to. Most shampoos will not tell you outright what the pH level is.

If you have washed your hair more than or about twice a week for a long period of time, or even your life, then it is possible your shampoo is too intense on your scalp. Once a week of washing your hair with about two dime-size amounts of shampoo should work for most people and only wash your scalp gently. Try washing your hair less because your shampoo likely strips your scalp of its natural oils, making it produce even more oils to compensate for the loss of oils. Remember to properly condition your hair and/or oil your hair if needed skipping out on hydrating your scalp could also make it very dry, try hair masks, and gentler/intensive conditioners/shampoos.

The average pH of hair is between 4.5 and 5.0. If your hair's pH is significantly higher than 5.0, it will provoke your hair cuticle to open, and if your hair's pH is significantly lower than 4, the cuticle will close. When hair is not between the ideal pH range, it is less ideal and could even damage your hair.