The Shampoo pH Can Affect the Hair: Myth or Reality?

January 2014 in “ International journal of trichology ”

Maria Fernanda Reis Gavazzoni Dias, Andréia Munck de Almeida, Patricia Makino Rezende Cecato, André Ricardo Adriano, Janine Pichler

shampoo pH scalp health hair fibers frizz static electricity cuticle damage professional shampoos commercial shampoos natural hair pH slightly acidic pH

TLDR Shampoo pH can affect hair health, with alkaline shampoos potentially causing damage and acidic shampoos reducing frizz.

The document concluded that the pH level of shampoos significantly impacted hair and scalp health. Shampoos with a pH higher than 5.5 could cause scalp irritation and increase the negative electric charge on hair fibers, leading to frizz, static electricity, and cuticle damage. The study found that 61.78% of shampoos had a pH above 5.5, with professional shampoos more likely to have a pH ≤ 5.5 compared to commercial ones. It recommended using shampoos with a pH close to that of natural hair and scalp (slightly acidic) to maintain hair integrity, and suggested further research to establish optimal pH ranges for hair and scalp health.

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