Effects acids and bases/alkalis have on hair.

**bjjowett1993** · March 9th, 2009, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Short2Long2009

If anyone uses shampoo bars, sodium hydroxide is the alkali used to saponify the oils, giving you...soap

Liquid soaps are made with potassium hydroxide.

I knew that saponification was due to the reaction of a base and a fat/oil, but I would think that this wouldn't affect the pH much, as I thought it would neutralize a bit. Is this so?

**Kirin** · March 9th, 2009, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by bjjowett1993

That is quite interesting, Kirin. I don't actually know what the scientific reason behind that would be. possibly a chemical imbalance in your body? Or just simply your hair. Thank you for your imput.

I actually think its my body as a whole. Eating acidic things (like vinegar) will cause severe pain in my mouth and sores for days.

**alligatorbaby23** · March 9th, 2009, 09:10 PM

Wow great info! Concise and to the point w/o being wordy! Great idea posting in the Article section. Hope to have more articles/ input from you.
And you are only 15 years old? Such a developed mind! Great info and presentation.
We are so lucky at LHC to have so many different people in varying fields that can add and exchange information.
Thanks again!

**skay** · March 9th, 2009, 09:49 PM

Hi bjjowett, great article. You remind me of engineers I used to work with - you seem to have a way of understanding how things work.

Thanks for writing it up - I used Apple Cider Vinegar sometimes & often your article useful and information in general as well.

Great job!

Skay

**Willow** · March 9th, 2009, 10:45 PM

Baking soda is slightly alkaline which is probably why it doesn't do much for your hair.

**bjjowett1993** · March 10th, 2009, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Kirin

I actually think its my body as a whole. Eating acidic things (like vinegar) will cause severe pain in my mouth and sores for days.

Wow, that is reallyi interesting indeed.

**bjjowett1993** · March 10th, 2009, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by alligatorbaby23

Wow great info! Concise and to the point w/o being wordy! Great idea posting in the Article section. Hope to have more articles/ input from you.
And you are only 15 years old? Such a developed mind! Great info and presentation.
We are so lucky at LHC to have so many different people in varying fields that can add and exchange information.
Thanks again!

Yes, I am only a 15 year old boy, and I was good in science last semster when we studied the pH scale, but not physics, lol. Thank you very much for the compliment! I do plan to make more articles, Iam really fond of this site, and all the mem,bers, everyone is so poilite and friendly!

**bjjowett1993** · March 10th, 2009, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Willow

Baking soda is slightly alkaline which is probably why it doesn't do much for your hair.

Exactly.

**Beldaran** · March 10th, 2009, 03:37 PM

All of my research, and my husband's pH meter say that vinegar has a pH of 3. Where do you get that it's 4?

Oh and for people wondering what pH tap water is, mine is 7.5-8 depending, and I have softened water. I would guess everyone's tap water will differ.

**bjjowett1993** · March 10th, 2009, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by skay

Hi bjjowett, great article. You remind me of engineers I used to work with - you seem to have a way of understanding how things work.

Thanks for writing it up - I used Apple Cider Vinegar sometimes & often your article useful and information in general as well.

Great job!

Skay

Thank you very much! I do like to understand how things work, knowledge is power, and I like to share it with people, to inform them, which in turn eliminates ignorance.