The Science of Hair : Part I-PH Balance

While many may discount the science of hair, it is your business to know the basics of hair and the science of achieving healthy hair. For beginners, lets start with the PH balance of hair. PH stands for the Potential of Hydrogen. Hair, which carriers a PH of 4.5 to 5.5. Any number between 0-6.5 is acidic, while any number between 7.5 to 14 is considered alkaline. Water, which is 7 is neutral. The trick to healthy hair and retention is to keep your products closest to the hair's PH, which is 4.5 to 5.5. Going below or beyond this range will surely make your hair more susceptible to breakage, which impedes healthy hair retention. When testing your hair products for their PH balance you can do call the hair care company and request the PH of their products (some companies print the PH balance on the actual shampoo or conditioners) or you can buy PH balance test stripes and become your very own amateur scientist!!! Either way, make it your business to know the PH in all of your hair care product.

Meet the Cuticle

In hair care, you will find no one more important than the cuticle. Because I want to educate the entire world on Afro-textured hair, I feel it is my duty to introduce to you the cuticle.

The Hair shaft has three parts: The cuticle, the cortex and Medulla.

The Cuticle is the first line of defense when it comes to retaining your hair's growth.

The Cuticle protects the cortex and the Medulla. You may ask, why does the cortex and Medulla need so much protection? Well, it is simple. The cortex and medulla are responsible for the hairs ability to hold moisture (porosity), elasticity, color, texture and strength of hair strand.

As you see the cuticle is a very busy man and without him we would be bald.

So when people ask you about your hair care, tell them that the cuticle is vital and the goal to hair retention is to keep the cuticle intact so that the cortex and medulla are safe from harm. How is this done?

1. Always choose a shampoo that has a pH between 5-6

2. Always use conditioner after shampooing the hair

3. Never comb your hair while it is dry ( especially if your natural)

4. Never brush your hair with a hard bristle brush

5. Avoid too tight braids and styles that put to much weight on the hair follicle

6. Wear your hair in protective styles to avoid too much manipulation from combs, your hands, brushes and the everyday elements ( wind, sun, pollution).

Follow these simple steps and I promise you, that you will see more hair retention!!!!