Relaxed Heads & Maintaining PC/PH Levels

[BEAUTYU2U]

So relaxed ladies, I was wondering how you maintain healthy porosity control and pH levels of your hair. I know there are certain products that relaxed heads are discouraged from using right before (or after) applying a relaxer. Such as ACV, baking soda, growth aids, etc. Is porosity or pH levels ever a problem? How do you correct it or maintain healthy hair? Do you test pH levels of your products? Use only natural products, etc.?

* I'm a natural, this is coming from pure curiosity and interest. No negativity allowed.

 

[SmileyNY]

I honestly don't measure or worry about PH. I Texlax 3 times a year with lye relaxer mixed with oil & conditioner.

Other than that, I do what most naturals probably do to maintain my hair. Prepoo, cowash, moisturize & seal, etc. I try to use products with natural ingredients.

I don't think about or measure PH, but I guess the levels are fine, as my hair is still very thick, has elasticity, and continues to grow long & strong.


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I try to use Natural/Handmade products. However, I still use 'some' Salon Brands that all have a lower ph balance.

I have overly porous hair, so I always use a Acidic Rinse as a Final Rinse after Deep Conditioning.

The ph balance of my products have never been a problem for me.

 

[MsLi@512]

I try to use natural PH balanced products. But don't bust out the PH testing strips or anything. I also use aloe vera juice and oils mixed with my favourite instant conditioner after I shampoo to keep things balanced. I know if my PH balance is out of whack, my hair sticks up and gets really frizzy and drier than usual. Other than that, I don't stress it too much.

 

[bebezazueta]

Well I purposely use ph balancing products depending on what service is about to be done or has been done on my hair

1) prior to relaxer, I clarify with ORS creamy aloe which is also a neutralizing shampoo & I DC & finish off with porosity control

2) immediately after a relaxer, a (5.5 ph) protein treatment is applied after thoroughly rinsing out relaxer & then neutralize with neutralizing shampoo 3 times at least. DC etc

3) first wash after relaxer, I use ORS creamy aloe shampoo & ORS replenishing pak

4). I normally cowash but if I use shampoo, I follow with roux porosity control

I have minimal shedding & no breakage during and after my relaxer process!

 

[Raspberry]

I use Roux Porosity Control 'poo and conditioner the first wash after a retouch. After that I don't worry about pH too much unless there is a problem with breakage or something.

Relaxers leave the hair in a very alkaline state and the neutralizing process is designed to bring the hair back into balance. Some self-relaxed ladies use ACV to aid neutralizing.

Most quality salon/drugstore products are pH balanced, I'm not sure that using purely natural products is guaranteed to help in that regard - besides ACV which is obviously acidic. I would personally never use baking soda on relaxed hair as it is highly alkaline. Baking soda made my hair feel terrible as a loose natural as well.

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

@bebezazueta, How did you figure out the safest/best routine for your (before and after) relaxer application? Like which pH level of products that was needed to maintain healthy hair? Was it mostly trial and error?

ETA: Thanks to the other ladies who posted responses!

 

[kupenda]

I don't check for porosity or anything. But I know when my cuticles are raised and I use Aphogee Balancing Moisturizer after my DCs to balance. I also like aloe vera on my ends. Ph isn't something I check for because I'm too cheap to buy testing strips


Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[bebezazueta]

@bebezazueta, How did you figure out the safest/best routine for your (before and after) relaxer application? Like which pH level of products that was needed to maintain healthy hair? Was it mostly trial and error?

ETA: Thanks to the other ladies who posted responses!

BEAUTYU2U it was through trial & error & knowing that some products raise the ph of our hair! And I rather be safe than sorry. I also had a stylist who did not neutralize me properly before my HHJ & my 1st shampoo after that I used a shampoo with a high ph & my hair came out in clumps. Mind you it was fine after the relaxer but when I raised the ph some more it fell out bald

 

[sunnieb]

Another relaxed head who doesn't check for PH levels checking in!

However, my relaxing routine includes steps to restore my PH level to normal. I am a big believer in the mid-step protein treatment after rinsing the relaxer and prior to neutralizing.

I might look into the Roux porosity control for the future though.

 

[pre_medicalrulz]

I'm relaxed. I don't check PH levels. I love this hair journey but not enough to research about that stuff. My hair is doing fine.

Sent from a land where women rule.....

 

[almondjoi85]

I'm relaxed and I don't really pay attention to pH levels.