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Cited by 104Hair Growth and DisordersContact Dermatitis and AllergiesConsumer Perception and Purchasing Behavior

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 25 of the 26 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The shampoo pH can affect the hair: Myth or Reality?

Open access
Gavazzoni Dias, Maria FernandaReis, de Almeida, AndreiaMunck, Cecato, Patricia, Adriano, AndreRicardo, Pichler, Janine·2014·International Journal of Trichology
DOI 10.4103/0974-7753.139078PMC PMC4158629
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Abstract

AIM: Dermatologists most frequently prescribe shampoos for the treatment of hair shed and scalp disorders. Prescription of hair care products is often focused on improving scalp hair density, whereas the over-the-counter products focus on hair damage prevention. Little is taught in medical schools about the hair cosmetics, so that the prescriptions are based only on the treatment of the scalp and usually disregards the hair fiber health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this work, we review the current literature about the mode of action of a low-pH shampoo regarding the hair shaft's health and analyze the pH of 123 shampoos of international brands. RESULTS: All shampoo pH values ranged from 3.5 to 9.0. 38.21% of all 123 shampoos presented a pH ≤ 5.5 (IC: 29.9-47%) and 61.78% presented a pH > 5.5. 26 anti-dandruff shampoos were analyzed. About 19.23% presented pH ≤ 5.5.(IC: 7.4-37.6%). 80.77% of all anti-dandruffs shampoos presented a pH > 5.5. The dermatological shampoo group (n = 19) presented 42.10% with pH ≤ 5.5 (IC: 21.8-64.6%), and 57.90% with pH > 5.5. Among the commercial (popular) products (n = 96), 34.37% presented pH ≤ 5.5 (IC: 25.4-44.3%) and 65.62% presented pH > 5.5. 15 professional products (used in hair salons) were analyzed, of which 75% had a pH ≤ 5.5 (IC: 18-65, 4%), and 25% had a pH > 5.5. 100% of the children's shampoos presented a pH > 5.5. CONCLUSIONS: Alkaline pH may increase the negative electrical charge of the hair fiber surface and, therefore, increase friction between the fibers. This may lead to cuticle damage and fiber breakage. It is a reality and not a myth that lower pH of shampoos may cause less frizzing for generating less negative static electricity on the fiber surface. Interestingly, only 38% of the popular brand shampoos against 75% of the salons shampoos presented a pH ≤ 5.0. Pediatric shampoos had the pH of 7.0 because of the "no-tear" concept. There is no standardized value for the final pH. The authors believe that it is important to reveal the pH value on the shampoo label, but studies are needed to establish the best pH range for both the scalp and the hair fiber's health.

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Crossref · 10.4103/0974-7753.139078

Cites

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  • Shampoos with a slightly acidic pH value are said to be gentler on the hair since the electrical charges are balanced, which seals the cuticles.

    “The pH value of the scalp is around 5.5 and shampoos with a slightly acidic pH value are said to be gentler on the hair since the electrical charges are balanced, which seals the cuticles [43].”

    From On the Path to Sustainable Cosmetics: Development of a Value-Added Formulation of Solid Shampoo Incorporating Mango Peel Extract (2023) · cites this paper as [43]

    The Introduction and Conclusion say the scalp pH is about 5.5 and lower-pH shampoos can limit negative electrical charge and damage to hair. The Discussion attributes neutralizing electrostatic forces and potentially sealing cuticle scales specifically to a low-pH conditioner applied after shampooing, not to the shampoo alone. Page numbers are not provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • The pH value of the scalp is around 5.5.

    “The pH value of the scalp is around 5.5 and shampoos with a slightly acidic pH value are said to be gentler on the hair since the electrical charges are balanced, which seals the cuticles [43].”

    From On the Path to Sustainable Cosmetics: Development of a Value-Added Formulation of Solid Shampoo Incorporating Mango Peel Extract (2023) · cites this paper as [43]

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Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

1 of the 26 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Trüeb, 1998, Shampoos: Composition and clinical applications, Hautarzt, 895
  2. Abraham, 2009, Hair care: A medical overview (part 1), Surg Cosmet Dermatol, 130
  3. Abraham, 2009, Hair care: A medical overview (part 2), Surg Cosmet Dermatol, 178
  4. Rushton H, Gummer CL, Flasch H 2-in-1 shampoo technology: State-of-the-art shampoo and conditioner in one. Skin Pharmacol 1994;7:78-83. · DOI
  5. Peteres, 1964, Dyeing theories based on the latest research data, Ciba Rev, 2
  6. Obukowho, 1995, Hair curl relaxers: A discussion of their function, chemistry, and manufacture, Cosmet Toiletries, 65

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Metadata

Authors
Gavazzoni Dias, M. F., de Almeida, A., Cecato, P., Adriano, A., & Pichler, J.
Venue
International Journal of Trichology
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2014
Volume
6
Issue
3
Pages
95
ISSN
0974-7753 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.4103/0974-7753.139078
PMC
PMC4158629
OpenAlex
W1985386728
Cited by
96
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1
FWCI
3.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-sa
Locations
  • International Journal of Trichology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Hair Growth and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Consumer Perception and Purchasing Behavior
Keywords
hair damage, static electricity, anti-dandruff shampoo, hair care products, hair salons, scalp disorders, hair loss

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