What does a high pH in relaxers typically indicate?

A high pH in relaxers typically indicates a stronger chemical action. Hair relaxers are designed to break down the disulfide bonds in the hair's protein structure, allowing it to be reshaped or straightened. A higher pH indicates a more alkaline formulation, which enhances the ability of the relaxer to penetrate the hair and effectively disrupt these bonds. This is essential for achieving the desired texture change, especially for more resistant hair types.

Conversely, a gentle formula would be characterized by a lower pH, which is suited for less intensive treatments. Neutral effectiveness would not be prominent in high pH relaxers, as they are crafted to actively alter the hair's structure. Lastly, while some relaxers may have moisturizing properties, a high pH is not a definitive indicator of this feature, as it primarily relates to the chemical potency of the relaxer rather than its moisturizing capabilities.