6 Benefits of Using Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair
Instead of paying for expensive chemicals, why not try old good ACV?
Researched, written by 
Amber & The Team
Updated on December 16, 2022
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Apple cider vinegar has been a buzzword in the beauty community for several years now. According to Google Trends, searches for apple cider vinegar began to skyrocket in January of 2017. Even megastars such as Katy Perry have expressed their undying love for the acidic elixir on numerous occasions!
While this acidic goodie has a plethora of uses and health benefits, one of the lesser-known benefits involves reaping the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar for hair. (Hint: a little will go a long way.)
If you struggle with brittle, tangled, unmanageable, or quite simply “lackluster” locks, apple cider vinegar may be an affordable, practical hair rinse. While we can’t guarantee that it will miraculously repair everyone’s hair woes, it’s all-natural properties make it worth a shot.
And, hey; if you give it a try and figure out that it’s not for you, there are other ways you can use the product to ensure you don’t waste your money. It’s a win-win!
Whether you already have a bottle of apple cider vinegar laying around or you’re heading to the grocery store later, here are some ways that apple cider vinegar can reinvigorate your hair.
The Biggest Benefits of Using Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair
Your scalp’s pH will balance out
At its core (no pun intended), apple cider vinegar is… well, vinegar. This means that it is mildly acidic, exhibiting a pH of two to three. Your scalp’s natural acidity lies at roughly five. A scalp with a well-balanced pH translates to a closed, flat cuticle layer.
When your cuticles are closed, they retain more moisture. Their job is to facilitate the movement of moisture between the cuticle and other parts of your hair’s anatomy. Cuticles kind of look like fish scales. If all of the scales are tight and close together, they’ll act as a shield to block out light, heat, and other damaging agents. If they’re far apart, they’re more susceptible to harm.
In a nutshell, the more well-balanced your scalp’s pH is, the shinier and stronger your hair will look. The natural acidity in apple cider vinegar will aid in this balance.
It keeps the bad guys away
Apple cider vinegar is also a clarifying agent. Many people use it as a light, harmless house disinfectant. It’s great for preventing harmful bacteria and fungi from growing on the scalp. Don’t get us wrong – there are millions of healthy bacteria living on your scalp right now, and we need them there. But, if gone unchecked, an overgrowth can lead to dandruff and itchiness.
Apple cider vinegar is great for keeping unwanted visitors in-check!
Eliminate product buildup
Piggybacking off of the “bad guys” thing, apple cider vinegar is also great for washing away unwanted buildup. We get it; you get busy, you skip a few hair washes, and you turn to the dry shampoo. It’s not uncommon to feel a bit grimy after such a routine.
Sometimes, your hair responds with flakiness; other times, you may feel a gumminess when you touch your scalp directly. Even if you do wash your hair daily, there are ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner that may linger.
If all of this sounds unappealing to you, remember that one of the greatest benefits of using apple cider vinegar for hair is the deep cleaning of your tresses. Just as many people use it to clean and disinfect, you can use it to rinse away the gunk. Imagine how refreshed you’re going to feel afterward!
Gain more volume and stronger curl definition
Silicone-based conditioners tend to weigh your hair down, so if you’re going for a specific look that involves volume or curls, you may want to use your apple cider vinegar rinse. Keep in mind that freshly-cleaned hair is actually more difficult to style, so if you know you’re going to be styling your hair, use an apple cider vinegar treatment a day or two beforehand.
Apple cider vinegar for hair growth? Yes!
Again, we’re not guaranteeing a miracle, here. Many factors contribute to hair loss, and a few apple cider vinegar washes are not going to dramatically change your look. However, because it’s known to increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, using apple cider vinegar for hair may result in faster hair growth.
Did we mention that it’s all-natural?
You can go to any drugstore and pick up an overpriced product that is littered with chemicals, or you can head to the grocery store and grab the natural alternative. (Okay, you’re grabbing some snacks, too. No judgment there.)
In addition to being all-natural, apple cider vinegar contains nutrients like vitamin B and potassium, which are always beneficial for your hair. A word of caution, though: everyone has different reactions, no matter how natural a product is. Make sure to test out a small amount on your skin before applying all over your head.
The bottom line is that there are no downsides to utilizing apple cider vinegar for hair. There are plenty of resources that can guide you in creating a rinse that is right for your hair type and your skin sensitivity. So, next time you head out because your stomach is grumbling, try snagging a bottle of apple cider vinegar. It may just end up being your new favorite hair product.
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