Touted as a well-rounded home remedy and benefits ranging from skin problems, health issues and even home cleaning problems, apple cider vinegar is a hero in every scenario. And experts also suggest adding apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your hair care routine. Apple cider vinegar benefits for hair by cleansing the scalp, restoring the pH level of hair and adding shine to the hair. Apple cider vinegar has also garnered popularity among the naturally curly hair community, who swear by it by incorporating it as a DIY ACV rinse. In this article, we will share with you the various potential benefits of apple cider vinegar for hair, how to use apple cider vinegar for hair and if there are any side effects.
01Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair Care – The Basics
Apple cider vinegar is made by crushing the apples and adding bacteria and yeast to the juice to start an alcoholic fermentation process. The alcohol is then converted into vinegar. Although there is no concrete scientific research on benefits of apple cider vinegar for hair loss, the acidic nature of ACV is said to balance the pH levels of scalp and hair, thereby, improving the overall health of the hair. Hair has an ideal pH level of between 4 and 5, but shampoos can disrupt this and the high alkalinity in them can contribute to hair friction, breakage and dryness. Because apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature, it can make the hair shinier and stronger by maintaining the pH levels of the scalp and hair. If you are still wondering, is apple cider vinegar good for hair, then keep on reading the article to know the various benefits it holds for you.
02Benefits to using Apple Cider Vinegar in Your Hair Care Routine
03Reduces Hair Breakage
Can you use apple cider vinegar for hair growth? With its potential ability to balance the hair's pH levels, ACV helps clear the hair follicle from debris and product build up. It closes the hair's cuticle which helps in preventing breakage and split ends, and hence, can indirectly benefit in hair growth and grow thicker hair. Using ACV occasionally will restore the acidity to the hair follicle and smooth out the cuticle, making it less weak.
04Controls Frizz
ACV rinse is highly popular among the naturally curly and textured hair type. Curly hair by nature is frizzy and dry, it loses moisture and gets tangled easily. ACV can help smooth the hair and keep frizz at bay, and anecdotal evidence suggests that ACV can get rid of knots and tangles. The reason hair becomes brittle and frizzy is because of high alkaline content in them. The acidity of vinegar restores the natural balance of the hair. The acetic acid in ACV reduces dryness, making them less frizzy. Hence, apple cider vinegar for frizzy hair can work wonders and is a must-try to incorporate it in your hair care routine.
05Adds Shine
ACV contains several vitamins and minerals that add shine and leave them nourished and healthy. Hair styling tools and products can roughen the hair's cuticle and leave the strands dull and prone to tangles. Apple Cider Vinegar coats the cuticle making your hair soft, shiny and more manageable. We recommend using Love Beauty and Planet's apple cider vinegar and white jasmine sulphate-free shampoo. This shampoo is made with plant-based cleansers and infused with 100% organic coconut oil. The apple cider vinegar will help smoothen dry hair and white jasmine essential oil will leave behind a long-lasting sweet, floral scent. Follow it up with Love Beauty and Planet's apple cider vinegar and jasmine paraben-free conditioner, to retain moisture and gloss.
06Clarifies the Scalp
ACV is effective in getting rid of product build up on the scalp and cleanses and clarifies the hair. Hair styling products often leave residue and disrupts the pH balance of the hair. ACV is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps exfoliate the skin. Our scalp is naturally acidic and so is ACV. Our hair cuticles are smooth when slightly acidic. And styling products open up the cuticles making our hair more alkaline. By using ACV, normal acidity of the hair is restored and the issue of product build up is resolved.
07Helps with Itchiness and Irritation
Healing properties like anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties in ACV can help fight bacteria and fungus that leads to dandruff causing itchiness and irritation. Too much yeast present on the oily areas of the skin promotes inflammation which leads to flaking. Apple Cider Vinegar contains malic acid which helps balance the pH level of the scalp. Using apple cider vinegar for hair dandruff is beneficial for a healthy scalp.
08FAQs about Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair Routine
Q1. What are the side effects of using ACV for hair? A. Since ACV is highly acidic, it can cause problems for people with sensitive scalp or if there are any persisting skin conditions. It may irritate the scalp, lead to itching and in the rarest of cases can cause burning. Although, it is recommended to consult a certified dermatologist before using ACV or conduct a patch test to see if there are any side effects. Usually, undiluted ACV can cause irritation. Q2. How to make a DIY apple cider rinse? A. Do not use raw ACV directly on your hair or skin. Due to its high acidic nature, it is advised to dilute ACV with water before the application. Spritz your hair with diluted ACV after you shampoo your tresses. You can also add a pinch of baking soda for maximum shine. Q3. How long should you leave apple cider vinegar on your hair for? A. After shampooing, leave the ACV spritz mixture for about 30 minutes and rinse it off. Do not keep it for longer period of time as it can strip your hair's moisture and leave them dry.
