Final answer:
pH-balanced shampoo returns hair to a neutral pH level, which is the goal of using such products. The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is, with 7 being neutral. Human blood, slightly basic with a pH of 7.4, is an example of a substance with a pH level close to neutral.
Step-by-step explanation:
pH-balanced shampoo is designed to return hair back to a neutral pH, which is the natural pH level of hair and scalp. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 being acidic, and above 7 being basic (or alkaline). By using a pH-balanced shampoo, the goal is to bring the hair's pH back to around 7, which is generally considered neutral and ideal for hair health.
As an example, let's take a look at the pH levels of common substances:
- Human blood has a pH of 7.4, which is slightly basic and within the normal range for blood.
- Household ammonia has a pH of 11.0, which classifies it as a basic substance.
- Cherries have a pH of 3.6, making them acidic.
Therefore, a pH-balanced shampoo aims to maintain or restore a neutral pH balance to hair, similar to the pH level of pure water and healthy human blood.