Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse for Natural Hair

Apple cider vinegar rinses for natural hair have been gaining popularity among the natural hair community. They have quickly gained a reputation as one of the best ways to clean and purify hair while getting rid of product buildup.

One of the many things that people tend to ignore is their hair and sebum pH levels. Sebum is the oil your scalp produces naturally.

The potential hydrogen, also known as the pH, needs to be between 4.5 and 5.5. If your pH is not within that range it can cause your hair to break off, become dry and will allow fungi and bacteria to grow on your scalp.

The pH levels in your hair can be tampered with using many of the products that are sold and stores and even some DIY products you may use. Using an apple cider vinegar rinse shampoo, conditioner, or other product will help hair remain moisturized, prevent hair loss, thicken thinning hair, and help with hair growth.

It also makes the hair strands smoother and shinier.  If your hair tends to break off or is dull and dry, an

rinse can help prevent split ends and breakage.

Benefits of An Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Another frequent issue that an apple cider vinegar rinse can help with is product build up. Many shampoos don’t have the cleansing and clarifying capabilities to completely remove all products from your hair.

This allows it to build up over time, making your hair feel dirty. Not only does it feel gross, but can it really slow down your hair growth. Over time products begin to clog the pores on your scalp, preventing hair from being able to grow out of them.

While it is removing product build up, the rinse will also remove dandruff, and provide relief to an itchy scalp. The potent antibacterial and antifungal properties that apple cider vinegar rinses contain also prevent dandruff and hair loss.

Using apple cider vinegar in your shampoo, or applying it in a conditioning hair mask, will reduce frizz and lessen the porosity of your hair, making it feel lighter and allowing curly hair to be more defined. If you are worried that washing your hair with apple cider vinegar shampoo will cause it to smell like vinegar, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the mix, but usually, the smell vanishes once it has dried.

If you decide to purchase apple cider vinegar you can go with a well-known brand such as Bragg’s, or you can choose a different one. It is important to make sure the vinegar is not clear because that means it has been filtered of most of its benefits, like antibacterial enzymes. Instead, find one that is cloudy in color, organic, and unfiltered.

Using an apple cider vinegar rinse as a hair treatment is easy.  After washing your hair, rinse it with ¼ apple cider vinegar and ¾ water.

Allow it to run from your scalp to the ends of your hair and massage it into your scalp. Then use water to rinse out the vinegar or leave a bit of the rinse in your hair to allow easier detangling. You’ll start to see the effects almost immediately.

If you want to add herbs, essential oils, or just prefer to DIY here are some apple cider vinegar recipes-

Essential oil apple cider vinegar hair rinse

Ingredients-

Many of these essential oils can be combined with other oils or herbs.  Essential oils work best when then rinse massaged into the scalp so do not forget to do this important step.

Herbal apple cider vinegar rinses

For herbal rinses, you will need to own a tea ball. These are inexpensive, floating balls that will infuse tea, or herbs, into water.

To make an herbal rinse, take two tablespoons of any herbs and put them in the tea ball. Then place the tea ball into a cup of hot or boiling water and allow it to sit for at least two hours.

Then add an equal amount of apple cider vinegar to the herbal water. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for the best results.

Many of these herbs are also essential oils, so feel free to add both the herb and oil for maximum application. Here are some of the best herbs for your hair-

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Side Effects

Although apple cider vinegar hair rinse side effects are minimal, there are a few people who have claimed that using apple cider vinegar on their hair left it dry and damaged. It’s hard to say exactly why this would happen however there are a few factors that can affect the results.

The first possibility is that the ACV to water ratio is too high. It’s best to start off with just one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar for every cup of water and increase the amount as needed. Another reason ACV may not produce desirable results is because there might be too many products in the hair. Applying apple cider vinegar on top of multiple products may not allow the ACV to penetrate the hair. If this has happened to you, try applying diluted apple cider vinegar to freshly washed and conditioned hair.

Adding a touch of your favorite oil to the mixture will help seal in moisture and provide you with smooth, shiny and beautiful hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair Growth

Using apple cider vinegar for hair growth is ideal for the lady who wants to give her hair the best opportunity to produce the healthiest hair possible. Apple cider vinegar has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This means the impurities that clog the hair follicles will be cleared by rinsing the hair with an ACV and water mixture. The same properties help alleviate itchiness associated with dandruff so the scalp can produce healthy hair.

Not only is ACV excellent for cleaning product build up from the hair, but it does it without stripping the hair. In fact, apple cider vinegar reduces the porosity of the hair and seals the cuticle resulting in added shine, curl definition, and excellent moisture retention. Massaging the scalp with an apple cider vinegar and water mixture returns your scalp to its normal pH level so it can produce stronger hair strands. Stronger hair strands result in less breakage and fewer split ends.

How Long to Leave Apple Cider Vinegar on Hair?

You may be wondering how long to leave apple cider vinegar on hair. It’s going to depend on your hair and the strength of the mixture but generally, a few minutes are all that are needed. Diluted apple cider vinegar can be left on overnight. Because ACV seals the hair, it can be spritzed onto the hair every few days to add extra protection.

The key to achieving gorgeous results is in properly diluting the ACV for your hair type. Hair that has an average amount of oiliness will benefit from a two-tablespoon mixture. Those with oily scalps will benefit from about four tablespoons. However, if you want to leave it overnight, it’s best to try fewer amounts at first and adjust the amount of ACV accordingly.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse for Colored Hair

Mixing a homemade apple cider vinegar hair rinse for colored hair is a wonderful method for protecting and maintaining freshly colored hair. Coloring the hair causes damage and it’s important to seal the hair to preserve its moisture and color. Not sealing in the color can cause it to prematurely fade, become dull and become extra fragile. Because apple cider vinegar closes the hair cuticle, moisture and color are protected.

When using ACV as a rinse, it’s best to apply it right after the hair has been colored, rinsed, washed, and conditioned. Simply mix 2-4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, water, and a little essential oil then rinse your hair with the mixture. It also makes an excellent final step to your regular deep conditioning routine. You’ll love the lasting color, shine, and manageability your hair will have.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask

You may have heard of all the benefits of apple cider vinegar but did you know that many people are making their own apple cider vinegar hair masks? ACV masks are quickly replacing shampoos as a way to cleanse, clarify and restore their hair to natural pH levels. For those of you who are looking for a way to avoid putting chemicals in your hair, mixing your own apple cider vinegar hair mask might be for you. Aside from being packed with nutrients and vitamins, the gorgeous results will speak for themselves. ACV masks are very easy to mix.

One recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil. The honey moisturizes your hair and the ACV seals the cuticle to keep that moisture inside. The oil serves as an extra sealant. The combination of these three inexpensive and effective ingredients creates a powerhouse of health to your hair and scalp. Try this out for yourself and see how your hair responds.

Another recipe calls for mixing apple cider vinegar with coconut oil. This recipe works the best when it’s applied after moisturizing or conditioning the hair and works very well as a final step of your deep conditioning regimen.

Black hair is beautiful hair. Apple cider vinegar rinses aid in defining natural curls, promoting growth, and keeping hair healthy. Using an apple cider rinse with or without herbs and essential oil after every wash will keep your hair shiny, strong, and gorgeous.