People have been using apple cider vinegar or ACV as a natural hair care product for centuries. Though they might not have known the science behind ACV’s properties, they knew that apple cider vinegar made their hair smooth, frizz-free and shiny. And healthy and shiny looking hair has always been trendy and popular, hasn’t it?
What Makes Hair Shiny?
The key to a healthy hair sheen is keeping your hair cuticles closed and smooth. Hair cuticles are the outermost layer of the hair shaft whose role is to protect the innermost layers, keep moisture in and give strength to the hair shaft. It is composed of dead cells overlapping and forming shingle-like scales.
The state of the cuticle layer affects how your hair looks and by managing the cuticles you can control the appearance of your hair. Open cuticles are what cause frizz, which is the major sheen inhibitor. So closing the cuticle layer results in flat and smooth hair shaft and shiny, soft and more manageable hair.
How to Close the Hair Cuticle Layer?
Like skin, hair also has a pH, which is the measurement of how acidic or alkali a substance is. The pH scale goes from 0 (strongly Acidic) to 14 (Strongly Alkaline), with 7 being neutral.
The hair’s natural pH balance is between 4.5 and 5.5 and it is within this range the hair cuticle layer is able to remain closed. Every hair product we use also has a pH and the hair reacts to it by opening or closing the cuticles. The correct ph level seals the hair cuticles making the hair smooth and shiny. Hence, understanding hair’s and hair products’ pH is important for proper hair care.
With an ideal pH between 4.5 and 5.5, hair is on the acidic side of the pH scale. Opposite to hair pH balance, some hair care products such as hair dyes, for example, are more alkaline, meaning they have pH over 7. When an alkaline substance is applied to the hair, the cuticle opens up and causes the hair to swell. On the other hand, acidic hair products close the cuticle layer and cause the hair strand surface to be flattened out, thus making hair smooth and shiny. So, in order to preserve the health of your hair cuticle it is important to use mildly acidic hair substances on our hair.
Given the fact that alkalis open the cuticle, and acids flatten it, we can decide on which types of products we want to use on our hair.
How Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Your Hair and Makes It Shiny?
With its acidic content and its low pH level, apple cider vinegar is a great substance to incorporate into your hair care routine. Due to its acidic pH, apple cider vinegar will seal the cuticles and enable the hair to retain more moisture leaving it hydrated and shiny looking.
Apple cider vinegar not only balances the hair pH, but it also cleanses the scalp gently without disturbing its natural acidic environment.
But, we need to keep in mind that pure ACV is too acidic and it can dry the hair out. So in order to reap the benefit of ACV you need to use a proper amount of it. And the safest way would be to look for natural hair care products that contain apple cider vinegar with tested concentration.
Phillip Adam Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Conditioner For Shiny Hair
Phillip Adam Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo has a perfectly balanced formula of acid (ACV) and alkali (corn & coconut surfactant). With its natural surfactants, the natural shampoo gently cleanses the oils and dirt that have formed on the hair and scalp.
The hair conditioner is also very important for maintaining healthy hair. Phillip Adam apple cider vinegar conditioner is the best to accompany the ACV shampoo. This all-natural hair conditioner will close and tighten your cuticles back and protect your hair from damage. As it smooths out the cuticles, it also helps reduce the frizz and hair tangles. Moreover, the closed cuticle state allows better light reflecting properties of the hair, which gives the hair healthy and shiny appearance.
When used correctly, apple cider vinegar is a powerful ingredient that will help you get the best of your hair. Give this apple cider vinegar duo a shot in your hair care routine and achieve that smooth, shiny hair look without the risk of applying anything harsh to your hair.