Do you know about this controversial hair product that gets equal love and hate? Yep! Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a controversial product for hair care, diet, and skincare. Today we discuss why this product gets mixed reviews and why washing hair with apple cider vinegar has side effects.
Table of Contents
Is apple cider vinegar alcoholic
Beer is an alcoholic beverage and good for hair. But is that the same for apple cider vinegar?
Before ACV comes to your nearest supermarket, this liquid-fermented form of apples undergoes a lengthy making process.
Apple becomes cider vinegar by crushing to squeeze out the juice. Further, the combination of bacteria and yeast converts the sugar content in apple juice and turns it into alcohol.
The final process turns the cider (alcohol) into vinegar. So, the end result does not have alcohol content.
But that doesn’t answer is apple cider vinegar good for hair.
Benefits of apple cider vinegar for hair
To use or not to use apple cider vinegar for hair – that is the question!
From my experience, products infused with apple cider vinegar add shine and luster to your hair. Many prefer using it in the raw form but must know how to dilute the strong liquid to make it acceptable for hair care.
Let us look into the benefits of washing hair with apple cider vinegar side effects.
1. Antifungal and antibacterial
Your inclination to use apple cider vinegar for hair has to be related to the acetic acid content of the liquid. Most hair care brands infusing their best-selling ACV products promote the antifungal and antibacterial properties present in this liquid.
ACV is a clear way to prevent bacterial growth, free your scalp from dirt, and fight dandruff. Since ACV has phenolic compounds, it fights bacterial or fungal infestation.
2. Keeps dandruff at bay
Dandruff is an invited guest that makes our scalp flaky and weakens our roots. It is one of the leading causes of hair fall.
The worst part?
Dandruff can stop the regrowth cycle of your hair.
The antimicrobial properties in apple cider vinegar maintain the pH level of our scalps. It also kills dandruff formation that happens due to the presence of yeast in our scalps. Shampoos and conditioners infused with ACV content can gradually free you from yeast buildup and dandruff.
3. Hair breakage
Hair breakage can be one of the washing hair with apple cider vinegar side effects.
But the reason why I say this is controversial is because the product also prevents hair breakage for some.
Now imagine adding the goodness of vitamins like B and C to your hair through this effective ingredient. It is supposed to work well, right?
Vitamin B simultaneously enhances the level of red blood cells in our scalp. Now, red blood cells promote oxygen supply to the hair and promote regeneration.
Vitamin C improves collagen, a protein that keeps our hair healthy and strong. With the benefit of antioxidants, it also prevents the damage of free radicals that otherwise can dull and cause breakage.
4. Smoothens cuticles
The acidic component in ACV can smoothen cuticles. If your hair randomly knots up because of curls and waves, ACV will help you detangle. It also reduces frizz that happens when cuticles are lifted. Smoothening hair cuticles also adds sheen to your hair. It looks glossed up and voluminous.
5. Redefine curly hair
YouTuber Rocio Isabel shares her personal experience with apple cider vinegar. She discusses benefits and usage. If you look at how her hair looks, you can see that it is way more manageable than before spraying. If you have curly hair, you know the struggle. But ACV fixes that problem for you and adds a natural bounce. Check out the quick tutorial to have a complete guide.
Washing hair with apple cider vinegar side effects
Ever tried a variety of shampoos just to check what suits you best?
Yes! We all did.
It is the same thing when considering the usage of apple cider vinegar for hair.
While the benefits outrank the side effects, the way you use it and your hair type might or might not suit ACV.
1. Damage from excessive use
While the acetic acid content in this ingredient can free you from dandruff, overusing can also lead to damage and brassiness.
If you have hair color, you might experience fading and go back to normal sooner than usual when frequently using ACV.
From a scientific standpoint, there is no right or wrong when using ACV for hair. It is not a hair ingredient that you can use every day.
Excessive usage of ACV can create an imbalance in the pH level and weaken hair follicles instead of strengthening them.
2. Not good for balding
If you are facing balding issues, there are better options than apple cider vinegar. Your hair is currently away from nutrition, and to reverse hair loss effects, you need to maintain diet and supplementation.
Applying apple cider vinegar during a balding phase will aggravate your condition instead of improving it.
3. Damages hair color
Before using ACV for hair, note that hair colors are alkaline and do not react with acetic acid. So, if you don’t skip using this ingredient while having highlights or colored hair, you will experience fading or discoloration.
4. Not following the protocols
If you want to prevent hair washing with apple cider vinegar side effects, use it correctly. You can follow the guide below to keep your hair safe from ACV damage.
The best way to incorporate apple cider vinegar into hair:
- is to follow the right way to use it
- go for a trial-and-error process to see what works
- try products infused with ACV instead of using the diluted form
How to wash hair with apple cider vinegar
If you don’t want to use shampoos and conditioners infused with apple cider vinegar, you can always turn to ‘the mother.’
ACV with mother is the purest form and requires diluting it by two to three parts of water to prevent side effects. Here are the steps to use apple cider vinegar for hair:
- blend 5 parts of water with 1 part of ACV with mother and add it to a bottle
- depending on the length of your hair, you will require 10 ml ACV and 50 ml water
- add it to a spray bottle to evenly distribute throughout the scalp
- gently massage your hair to help your entire scalp absorb the vinegar thoroughly
- let it sit for 10 minutes before you wash your hair with water
- use a light conditioner that will not weigh your hair down
- make sure the vinegar content is rinsed off
The above steps answer how to use apple cider vinegar for hair dandruff. If you do not want to use the raw content, try the products listed below to optimally use the benefits of ACV for hair.
Drinking apple cider vinegar for hair growth
Apple cider vinegar is a dietary inclusion trusted by fitness enthusiasts. It works as a fantastic salad dressing, and you can replace olive oil and use diluted ACV over food. But it does not help hair growth.
There are no sources that prove the benefits of ACV for hair growth. While cleaning dandruff buildup can improve your hair quality, it cannot regrow the lost strands.
To strengthen hair from the roots, you need to add adequate nutrition to your body and follow a healthy hair care routine. It can include apple cider vinegar hair products or ACV rinse, but it will not boost regrowth.
Apple cider vinegar hair products
Choosing products infused with ACV is better if you want to avoid washing hair with apple cider vinegar side effects. Here are some brands and products to choose depending on the availability in your geographic area:
1. Avalon Organics Conditioner
With a discount of $16, this product on Amazon.com is selling at $50 right now. Grab the offer if you want to own this 11-ounce bottle that nourishes your tired locks and brings back the lost shine. It is a plant-based formulation with the goodness of essential oils. It is free of parabens, preservatives, colors, odors, sulfates, and phthalates.
The mixture of babassu and argan oil blended with ACV is magic. While ACV dries your hair, oil nourishes and balances out the dryness.
2. dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
This will be a breath of fresh air if you love shampoo that creates lather. While it does not conventionally foam up, it deeply cleanses your hair and adds luster. The product is perfect if you have curly hair and want to remove buildup. You can purchase this from Amazon.com at $37 right now.
The shampoo works well with colored hair, as it has a color-locking technology that does not let your mane fade. It also keeps your hair strong and balances the pH level.
3. Glossy Locks: Grow More Shampoo
If you are suffering from hair loss, this is the ACV shampoo to swear by. It deeply cleanses your scalp and strengthens it from roots. As the name suggests, it also makes your hair glossy. You will get this from the official website, as Amazon doesn’t have this available right now.
4. Wow Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo
Wow is one of the most trusted brands with shampoos and conditioners. It gained massive acceptance in India and became a household name over the past few years. You can buy it from Amazon.in or Amazon.com.
A combo pack sells at $24 and doesn’t only limit the goodness of ACV. You also have Virgin Coconut Avocado Conditioner, which is the best to follow up after your hair feels dry from using ACV shampoo. The product has a gentle formulation and relieves you from dandruff, itchiness, and frizz.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is ACV and clarifying shampoo the same?
No, they are not the same. Clarifying shampoos remove oil buildup and prepare your hair for treatments like straightening, curling, perming, and coloring. But it makes your hair dull and is best when used with conditioners. ACV does not prevent hair from discoloration and removes flaky dandruff and dirt.
2. What are apple cider vinegar side effects?
If your hair burns after diluting ACV, it might not suit your scalp and hair. Ensure you do not have cuts and bruises, which can worsen your condition. ACV generally suits all hair types, but it is best to judge whether it works for someone.
3. Can drinking apple cider vinegar help hair growth?
ACV cannot help hair growth but can prevent hair fall and improve hair condition. Drinking ACV might assist in weight loss, but it doesn’t help regrow hair.
4. Can you leave apple cider vinegar in your hair?
You can leave apple cider vinegar in your hair for 10-15 minutes. But you should not let it sit overnight. Keeping your hair drenched in ACV compound for a long time will make it dry and can lead to breakage. You need to let it sit as long as you find your scalp absorbing the goodness of diluted ACV. Once done, wash it with cool water or use a mild shampoo followed by a conditioner.