Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair Washing?

ICYMI, apple cider vinegar (or ACV) is no longer just a natural skincare cure-all, but it’s also believed to be a game-changer for your locks. Thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, apple cider vinegar for hair washing has earned a reputation for helping address common scalp and hair issues.

Sounds promising, yes? If you’re thinking of trying it, keep reading to know more and help you decide if it’s right for you.

First, what is apple cider vinegar and how is it made? Simply put, ACV is fermented juice from crushed apples. Studies say that apple cider vinegar likely contains the same nutrients as apple juice, including vitamins B1, B2, B6, biotin, folic acid, and niacin, to name a few. Notice how these vitamins are also the ones you see in hair products? It’s reason enough to consider ACV as a natural alternative for nourishing hair.

Is vinegar good for your hair? From giving your scalp a thorough cleanse to improving your hair’s volume and body, apple cider vinegar in hair washing promises multiple benefits. These include:

• Clarifying and cleansing: ACV’s clarifying properties remove buildup from styling products, dirt, and oil, without drying out hair. 
• Boosting volume and body: As it eliminates oil and product buildup, it gives hair a lift and bounce, which is great if you have flat or fine and limp hair.
• Balancing pH levels: Apple cider vinegar’s low pH levels and high acidity can help restore your scalp’s pH balance and eliminate bacterial and fungal growth on your scalp. 
• Helping make hair smooth and shiny: The same pH-balancing properties help smoothen hair cuticles (the protective, outermost layer of your hair) that have opened due to chemicals, hot water, and other external elements.
• Soothing scalp irritation: Its anti-inflammatory agents calm and balance your scalp, reducing itchiness, dandruff, and flaking.

Apple cider vinegar can be considered a natural hair treatment that can benefit various hair types and needs. If you have fine, oily hair, ACV helps eliminate oil and residue that can weigh it down, giving you fuller hair with bounce. For combination hair (oily roots, dry strands), ACV helps balance your greasy roots without over-drying the ends.

You can try using ACV as a hair rinse, which is best done after you’ve washed with shampoo and conditioner. To start, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. This gives you a diluted solution for a gentle cleanse.

Secure your hair in an elastic headband, tilt back your head, and pour the solution over your entire hair and scalp. Be careful not to get it in your eyes. Let it sit for 1.5 to 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to help close your cuticles.

While ACV is natural, it can still cause a reaction on your scalp. It’s best to get clearance from your doctor before trying this hair rinse.

Is an ACV hair rinse for you? If you’re still unsure, consider other hair care products that promise the same benefits of vinegar on hair. Sunsilk Anti-Dandruff Healthy Strong Shampoo is infused with tea tree oil and aloe vera, a potent combination that relieves hair and scalp from dandruff, itchiness, and irritation.

Dove Advanced Keratin Treatment Mask offers repair and protection for damaged hair. It has keratin, niacinamide, and vitamin complex that help smoothen the hair cuticles, making it smooth and shiny. Use it weekly to get the best results.

The ACV rinse hype is much raved about for good reason. The ingredient’s hair-reviving properties offer plenty of benefits, from a pH-balanced scalp to thoroughly cleansed hair. However, each scalp and hair condition has unique needs that this natural remedy may or may not address.  

So, should you try apple cider vinegar for hair washing? Think of it as an alternative you can try if you want to give your hair a break from chemical treatments once in a while. You can also speak with your doctor for advice so you’re in the clear. After all, the potential benefits of ACV do sound promising – it’s a great all-natural hair treatment option to have, especially if it turns out working for you.