Final answer:
To normalize hair and scalp pH, hair care products use buffering agents like citric acid which act to neutralize excess base and stabilize pH, similarly to bodily buffers.
Step-by-step explanation:
To restore the hair and scalp to their normal acidic pH, buffering agents can be used. These agents work similarly to how buffers in our body fluids maintain a narrow pH range and ensure proper physiological functioning. Common hair care products, such as conditioners and pH-balancing tonics, often contain ingredients like citric acid or acetic acid that act as weak acids, along with their conjugate bases, to help stabilize the pH of the scalp and hair.
Our hair and scalp naturally have a slightly acidic pH which helps with maintaining the integrity of the hair shaft and the scalp's health. After using alkaline products like shampoos, the acidic buffer agents in hair conditioners or treatments can neutralize excess base and bring back the natural pH level, preventing damage to the hair and scalp.