Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair Growth: Benefits, Recipes & Instructions

Table Of Content

• Why an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Is the Key to a Happy Scalp
• Using Apple Cider Vinegar Safely in Homemade Beauty Products
• DIY ACV hair care recipes for radiant locks
• More Delicious Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar:
• This is what happened when I tried rinsing my hair with apple cider vinegar.
• Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Infusion Damage Repair Conditioner

Raw (or unfiltered) apple cider vinegar is simply the by-product of the fermentation of apples. Research shows apples are loaded with potassium, pectin, malic acid, and calcium. Fermentation fortifies the end product with even more beneficial acids and enzymes. When apple cider vinegar is raw or unpasteurized, it leaves all of the nutrients in the vinegar. ACV is acidic and can dry the hair out if used undiluted, which can cause further hair loss and breakage.

Why an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Is the Key to a Happy Scalp

The safest bet, according to Finney, is to steer clear of the D.I.Y. route if possible. "I prefer using a product where ACV is integrated into the formula appropriately," he notes. "If you pick the right product, it shouldn’t smell and can be used more consistently." ACV can fight the fungi and bacteria that could be causing that itch.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar Safely in Homemade Beauty Products

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. I pump five splashes of the product (which looks like a dark apple c5ider vinegar) into my hands, and it feels just like a face toner—a fact, I'll admit, I'm not especially thrilled about. The thin liquid doesn't work into a satisfying lather, and with it slipping through my fingers (and down my arms), covering my tresses from roots to strands becomes a Sisyphean task. I do the best I can and let it sit for five minutes as instructed. It shouldn’t burn if properly diluted, but if it does, rinse it out immediately.

DIY ACV hair care recipes for radiant locks

If you find the smell of vinegar slightly overpowering, you can add a few drops of essential oil and mix well before using. Pour into a bottle or jar and use instead of your normal shampoo. You can use this as it is now, but adding 5–10 drops of your favorite essential oil can help to override the smell of apple cider vinegar. Because apple cider vinegar is highly acidic with a pH of around 3, it can help reduce the pH of the acid mantle of the hair, leaving it smooth and soft. It also can help clarify and cleanse the scalp and remove build-up, which can improve growth and integrity of the hair.

To get ACV, the juice of apples is combined with yeast that transforms the natural sugars into alcohol. Is it as effective, though, as ketoconazole or pyrithione zinc—the two holy-grail, study-backed ingredients used in dandruff shampoos like Head & Shoulders and Nizoral? But it’s certainly more gentle, which means it won’t strip your hair (or curls) like most dandruff-fighting formulas will. Use Featherman’s DIY apple cider vinegar rinse to avoid dandruff. Fischer also recommends John Masters Organics Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier & Color Sealer.

Just got your hair freshly colored? Consider skipping the DIY for now.

Yes, apple cider vinegar is safe and may even extend the life of your hair color. While is it well documented that ACV is antimicrobial, there are no studies to back up the claim that it can fight scalp conditions. While there is no evidence to back this up, a 2014 study looking at the pH of shampoos on the market found that the high alkalinity of many brands contributes to hair friction, breakage, and dryness. According to Friese, ACV smooths and seals the hair cuticle, making it ideal for reaching high shine levels. It is thought that the enzymes from the fermented apple close and smooth the hair cuticle, the protective layer that locks in vital lipids, proteins, and moisture.

How apple cider vinegar can help your hair - Business Insider

How apple cider vinegar can help your hair.

Posted: Thu, 14 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

It removes excess oil and buildup without being overly drying. Although this option is technically a clarifying shampoo, it is infused with ACV to prevent over-stripping the scalp of necessary oils. Additionally, it’s boosted with keratin to make your hair stronger and smoother. And if you’re ever in doubt whether or not ACV might be right for your hair type, both Ruggeri and Hill recommend performing a strand test first before applying the ingredient all over.

This is what happened when I tried rinsing my hair with apple cider vinegar.

"If you have any open wounds such as blister cuts or scabs, I would not recommend using it until it's healed or otherwise consulted by your doctor," adds Anita Sun, hairstylist at Eliut Salon. "You should also try not to use it right before or right after a chemical treatment, such as a coloring or keratin job, because the pH can affect the treatment you're having done." Those with a hypersensitive scalp or any type of skin abrasions or disorders should avoid using apple cider vinegar, as it has the potential to further irritate vulnerable skin. For some ACV claims, however, there’s good science and research to vouch for healthy hair effects. For other claims, more research is still needed, or science hasn’t been able to back up that they’re true.

Yes, apple cider vinegar can benefit most hair types by balancing scalp pH, enhancing shine, and reducing frizz. However, it's crucial to adjust dilution based on your hair's specific needs. While ACV offers universal benefits shiny hair like pH balance and enhanced shine, the frequency of use and dilution ratio should be adjusted based on personal hair type and condition. Overuse can sometimes lead to dryness, particularly for those with already dry or brittle hair.

Apple cider vinegar is not only a staple health food product – it can also be used as an effective beauty product for your hair. All you need is unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water to make a hair solution that can help with itchy scalp, hair breakage, and might even help your hair grow faster. Applying apple cider vinegar to your hair can also remove product build-up, making your hair look extra shiny and smooth.[1] X Research source v161775_b01.

If you have alopecia, you can help hold onto your tresses by avoiding behaviors that are known to contribute to temporary and permanent hair loss, Mirmirani says. A 2021 review of 15 studies — including several large randomized control trials that are the gold standard for medical research — found that laser therapy increased hair count in both men and women. You can either purchase over-the-counter laser devices to use at home or receive the treatments from a provider. “As soon as you notice hair loss is happening, you should come in,” says Lauren Eckert Ploch, a dermatologist in Aiken, South Carolina. It’s usually genetic, but it can also be triggered by diseases or disorders that attack the hair follicles.

The filtering process can remove many minerals and nutrients, and it can also remove a significant portion of the “mother.” When you buy unfiltered, you ensure you will get the full benefit from its use. With regular use of ACV then, you can treat infections and prevent them from reappearing. This is vital if you want to maintain the health of your scalp. Dandruff is an embarrassing problem, but it is also one that causes much discomfort and can even lead to hair fall. There are several natural remedies for this condition, however.