5 Natural Ways to Balance PH in Hair

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A good indicator of health is a person’s hair and skin. Is the hair shiny? Is the skin smooth? Is the hair dull and lifeless?

Ask yourself this question and assess whether you are in need of professional help or is it just your diet?

“Potential of Hydrogen” or pH is a measurement that indicates the acidity, neutral and alkaline of a substance. The hair and the scalp including the sebum have a pH balance of 4.5 to 5.5 making it slightly acidic. Because of hair products and hormone imbalances, the hairs’ natural acidity is disrupted.

The natural acidity maintains and prevents bacterial and fungal overgrowth. If the environment is too alkaline, it can cause the cuticles to open. If the environment is too acidic, it can cause the cuticles to contract. Problems like dandruff, itchy scalp, flaky scalp, scalp eczema, and psoriasis may arise.

WE ARE WHAT EAT is a proven statement that affects our physical status. Starting now would be a good chance of improving our health. The following tips should be considered:

1. Eat Proteins and Fatty Acid Rich Foods

Proteins are the building blocks of our hair. Consuming proteins keeps our hair follicles producing healthy hair. Lack of protein can produce weak and brittle hair.

Our sebaceous glands produce sebum, which is mostly composed of fatty acids. Sebum is needed to protect and maintain healthy hair, by conditioning it and protecting it from bacteria.

This oily substance gives the hair moisture to prevent flaking. The fatty acids are produced after the metabolism of the food we eat. Protein is mostly seen in foods like meats, fish and eggs. Fatty acids are produced in flaxseed oil, fish oil, chia seeds, and walnuts to name a few.

2.  Consume Vitamins

Eating your vegetables, especially the dark green leafy ones that contain vitamins A and C,  help your sebum production coat the hair with a natural hair conditioner.

Vitamin A is also good at keeping dandruff at bay. Vitamin C is essential in producing the collagen needed in hair production. Vitamin C also breaks down iron after oxygen is delivered to parts of the body, including the sebaceous glands.

Biotin (and other b-vitamins) activate enzymes in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and carbon dioxide that promotes faster, stronger, and longer hair growth.

3. Increase Gelatin or Collagen Intake

Gelatin is composed of amino acids that are the building blocks in our bodies. These proteins are mostly found in bone broth, organs, and the fibrous tissues of animals, or even gelatin powder which is available commercially.

For people with diet restrictions, bear in mind that collagen is gluten-free, dairy-free, and easily digested in the gut. Gelatin helps strengthen and improve hair growth. The elasticity and moisture are enhanced in the scalp, maintaining the hair’s pH.

When accidents happen, and a wound is produced, collagen helps in speeding up healing. It also has anti-inflammatory effects that not only protects your scalp but further protects you.

4. Balance your Hormones

When hormonal imbalances occur like pregnancy (estrogen) or autoimmune caused, like a thyroid problem (thyroid hormones), changes occur that are mostly noticed at the hair and skin.

Stress and lack of sleep (cortisol) also alter the production of hormones. Estrogen, thyroid hormones and cortisol are found to be linked in poor hair growth or hair loss. With this scenario, the pH in your hair can be greatly altered making your hair and you vulnerable.

Consuming Vitamin A helps in the detoxification of these hormones. Sources of Vitamin A include carrots, vegetables, and the number one source, liver. Egg yolks contain vitamin A and selenium. Selenium is needed in the conversion of the inactive thyroid hormone to an active one.

Silica is an excellent supplement for helping balance hormones and increasing hair growth.

Limit your caffeine intake to promote adequate sleep and lower your stress levels.

Always consult your physician if all else fails. There is also another cheap way, and that is to have a support group that renders free hugs that lets you release the happy hormone “OXYTOCIN.”

5. Make your own Natural Hair Products

We can’t eat all the food mentioned above so why don’t we just apply them directly to our scalp and hair? Check your kitchen for the following ingredients: olive oil, honey, eggs, and gelatin. These ingredients do not alter the pH in your hair but will enhance it.

Olive oil helps in moisturizing and strengthening the hair. Place this oil for at least 10 minutes on your scalp, allowing it to penetrate deeply, and then rinse your hair normally.

Honey has antimicrobial properties that kill bacteria which is the same as the sebum present in our scalp. It is an all-natural ingredient that helps with weak or brittle hair. Spread the honey and massage it in your hair for at least 15-20 minutes then rinse it off.

Eggs have the Vitamins E and D essential in strengthening the hair to make it beautiful. You can benefit when you eat it, but it also renders results when you apply it in your hair.

Gelatin is the same as the eggs; when applied to the hair and scalp it is absorbed easily after massaging. It has collagen as mentioned above that helps repair and heal the scalp and hair.

Learn How to Make Your Own Hair Products:

• DIY Whipped Shea Butter Mix for Healthy Hair
• The Finest Hair Treatment: Coconut Oil Mask
• All-Natural Shampoo Recipes for Every Hair Type
• DIY Herbal Hair Rinse- Lush Locks & Active Growth
• DIY Hair Spritzer – Add Shine and Luster
• DIY Hair Mask for Dry & Damaged Hair

Conclusion

There is no short cut to a healthier hair and scalp. You have to give time for your body to detoxify. Eat healthy foods rich in protein, fatty acids, and vitamins. These are readily available, you just have to increase your intake more.

Stay away from stressors and check with your doctor if you have underlying hormonal problems. Be smart and use things readily available in your grasp like the eggs and honey.

When all else fails… Give someone a Hug… It will make them happy.

Check out this post over at Hair Loss Revolution for some great info on blocking DHT to help with hair loss.

About Author:

Hi, my name is Aubrey Ginsberg and I am the co-founder and editor of www.girlswithnaturalhair.com. I work as a professional graphic designer and blogger, but I have (as most of women probably) a big passion for beauty & hair care.

contact: [email protected]