The internet has been flooding with videos and blogs of people sharing their experience of trying apple cider vinegar for hair loss.
Coming across them if you wondered “does apple cider vinegar actually work?”, Yes! It does, as long as you use it correctly and in the right amounts.
This article talks about apple cider vinegar benefits and how to apply it on hair to get the best results faster.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Just like any other vinegar, apple cider vinegar is made out of fruit with high amounts of carbohydrates, that is apple. It is made by fermenting crushed apples with the help of bacteria and yeast.
Why should you use apple cider vinegar for hair loss?
Are you tired of dry, dull, frizzy hair that just can’t stop falling every time you comb through them? Well! You’re not alone. Pollution, dust, chemical products, and unhealthy modern lifestyles have made us all vulnerable to hair fall issues.
While 21st-century lifestyles have drifted us apart from nature, the cure for not all but some of the consequences of it lie right in our kitchen cabinets. Yes! We are talking about this magical ingredient that you use in many of your recipes – apple cider vinegar.
Now it’s time to feed some of apple cider vinegar for hair loss and healthy scalp as well. If you ask “is apple cider vinegar good for your hair?”. Here are the five major reasons:
Apple Cider Vinegar is acidic in nature
Chemical shampoos are basic in nature which disturb the natural pH balance of your hair over time, making them look dry, dull, and frizzy. Apple cider vinegar being acidic in nature is able to help your hair restore the natural pH.
It contains antimicrobial properties
Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a disinfectant because of its antimicrobial properties. Treating your hair with apple cider vinegar helps to control harmful bacteria on your scalp.
ACV is rich in vitamins and minerals
Apple cider vinegar is also enriched with precious vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and vitamin B. All of these nutrients help the scalp as well as hair strands to replenish with gradual use.
It contains alpha-hydroxy acid
The vinegar is also believed to contain alpha-hydroxy acid that is a significant component of many cosmetic products. This particular acid works by removing the top skin layer of dead cells. Therefore, it’s helpful in exfoliating the scalp.
ACV has anti-inflammatory properties
There are also claims suggesting that apple cider vinegar contains anti-inflammatory properties. This is why it is also able to help us get rid of dandruff.
Benefits of using Apple Cider Vinegar of Hair Loss
Apart from being cost-effective and free of any added chemicals and preservatives, apple cider vinegar has numerous benefits over other hair-care products:
ACV clarifies and exfoliates your scalp
One very evident benefit of using apple cider vinegar is having a clean scalp. Many shampoos are not able to remove product buildup on your scalp. ACV, on the other hand, naturally removes all traces of products from your scalp.
It stimulates hair growth
A buildup of products like dry shampoo, serum, etc. can clog pores on your scalp, consequently, affecting hair growth. When you rinse your hair with ACV, it clarifies your scalp and increases blood circulation to the hair follicles, hence helping your hair to grow naturally.
It restores the scalp’s natural pH level
Each and every cell of our body, including those of the hair, work optimally on a certain range of pH levels. For hair, the natural pH is between 4.5 and 5. This acidity in the hair prevents fungi and bacterial buildup on the scalp. Continuous usage of soaps and shampoos disturbs this pH balance (remember that soaps are basic in nature). The pH of ACV lies between 2-3. Hence, rinsing your scalp with diluted ACV restores the natural pH of your hair.
Apple Cider Vinegar smoothes hair cuticles
The natural acidity of ACV is also helpful in smoothing down your hair cuticles. This also encourages the knots and tangles in your hair to slip out, consequently, reducing frizz on the hair. Smooth hair is also able to reflect more light, giving an appearance of more shiny, glossy, and healthy hair.
It treats dandruff
We all know how difficult it is to get rid of dandruff. Besides balancing the natural pH of your scalp, ACV stimulates the shedding of dead skin cells on it. Adding this with the anti-inflammatory properties, an ACV rinse gradually aids in treating dandruff.
ACV defines the natural flow of your hair
If you have curly hair, you would know how hard it is to naturally define your curls. Conventional shampoos and conditioners can smoothen the curls but along this, they will also weigh down the individual strands. Consequently, affecting the volume and natural flow of your hair. ACV rinse, on the other hand, will help to bring a bounce in your natural hair while also giving them a glossy shine.
How to use Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair Loss?
Although apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic, it can damage your hair if used improperly in an undiluted form. Here is how to use apple cider vinegar for hair loss and other hair problems:
- Step 1: Firstly, you have to choose an organic brand that retails pure, an unfiltered form of apple cider vinegar. Natural ACV is not clear, but partly cloudy and even contains some amount of sediments in it. This deposit, called ‘mother’, is especially very nutritious. You want to shake the bottle very well before use.
- Step 2: Next, you must dilute raw apple cider vinegar with water. The ideal ratio is 1:3. Take 1 cup ACV and put it in 3 cups of water. You can increase or decrease the amount according to your hair length. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle for easy application.
- Step 3: Now you must dampen your hair to prepare them for the rinse. You can also do this right after you shampoo your hair. Spray diluted ACV throughout damp hair, on the scalp and from roots to the ends. Massage gently on your scalp for better absorption and to stimulate blood circulation.
- Step 4: Let the mixture sit in for about 5 minutes. After that, rinse it out thoroughly. And you’re done!
Things to keep in mind while using Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has immense benefits for the health of your hair. However, due to its acidic nature, it also makes your skin and hair vulnerable to damage if used in wrong quantities. Here are a few things you need to take care of when using apple cider vinegar for hair loss:
- Apple cider vinegar may irritate or burn the skin due to its acetic acid content. Therefore, try to keep it off your skin if your skin is very sensitive.
- Do not apply an undiluted form of ACV on any parts of your hair or skin. Always dilute it with the directed quantity of water.
- Make sure to keep the ACV solution off from your eyes. If it accidentally happens to get inside your eyes, quickly wash it out with a thorough splash of water.
- If your hair or scalp health worsens after the ACV rinse, try either of these things or all of them together:
- Further diluting the water and ACV mixture
- Reducing the amount of mixture used per rinse
- Increasing no. of days between two rinses
How often should you use apple cider vinegar on your hair?
The frequency of using apple cider vinegar on your hair totally depends on your hair quality. If your hair and scalp are more dry, you want to use it less frequently like once a month. However, if they are more on the oily side, you can use it about once a week. Just start by doing the rinse once every two weeks and you can gradually adjust the frequency based on the results.
Takeaway
Apple cider vinegar has been used for several skin, hair and health benefits for ages. While it works as a magic ingredient to get smooth, shiny and dandruff-free hair, you have to be careful of the amounts of apple cider vinegar for hair loss you use. Remember that it’s acidic in nature and too much of it can cause more harm than any good.