Apple Cider Vinegar For Natural Hair: Benefits & Side Effects

If you have type 4 hair and are looking for natural hair maintenance solutions to boost hair and scalp health, apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help. You can use apple cider vinegar as a hair treatment to restore the scalp’s pH and aid in removing product buildup. Apple cider vinegar is a common ingredient in DIY hair care recipes and is preferred for its numerous benefits like hair growth, strength, and adding shine. Apart from balancing the pH and clarifying the scalp, ACV can prevent flaking, reduce itching, and add shine to your hair. This article examines the benefits of apple cider vinegar, how to use it and prepare it at home, and its potential side effects. Keep reading.

Trivia

Legend has it that Julius Cesar used to drink apple cider vinegar with spices as a fortifying drink and tonic for general health.

Benefits Of ACV For Natural Hair

1. Balances Hair pH

An alkaline hair pH can cause damage. The healthy hair pH lies between 4.5 and 5.5. But most hair care products are not pH-balanced and may disturb the natural pH of the hair (1). Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic and contains acetic acid, which has a low pH (2). Some believe it may balance the scalp pH, though more research is warranted in this regard.

2. Has Antibacterial And Anti-fungal Properties

Apple cider vinegar is said to possess antifungal and antibacterial properties.

The acetic acid in ACV helps prevent fungal growth (3). It also helps prevent bacterial growth and keeps your scalp and hair healthy. The phenolic compoundsⁱ  Bioactive compounds found primarily in plant tissues, including simple phenols, phenolic acids and flavonoids, that promote hair growth. in ACV exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and acts against fungal and bacterial growth (4). The antimicrobial activity of ACV acts against certain microbes like E. coli and S. aureus (5).

3. May Help Treat Dandruff

Apple cider vinegar was found to help treat scalp issues like dandruff and itchiness (6). The antifungal and antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar may help relieve an itchy scalp or dandruff (4). However, more research is needed in this regard.

4. May Help Remove Product Build-up

Anecdotal evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar exfoliates your scalp and removes product build-up and dead skin cells. Excess scalp oil secretion and using different hair care products can block the scalp pores and cause irritation. ACV may help remove scalp build-up and boost hair health. However, limited research is available in this regard.

5. May Boost Hair Shine

While many ingredients in your hair care products open your hair cuticlesⁱ  The outermost layer of the hair shaft, that's made up of layers of dead cells to form scales that strengthen and shield the hair. , some believe apple cider vinegar closes them. This can smoothen your hair strands. Opened hair cuticles are prone to dryness, breakage, and frizz. But anecdotal evidence suggests that ACV makes your hair strands shinier and brighter.

6. May Help Minimize Scalp Acne

ACV is a popular home remedy whose antifungal and antibacterial properties are believed to help treat scalp acne. The vinegar works by targeting the underlying causes like excess oil, clogged hair follicles, and bacteria. All you need to do apply diluted ACV solution to your hair after shampooing and conditioning. Let it rest for 20 minutes before you rinse with cool water.

Applying diluted ACV to the scalp may restore its pH balance and alleviate any inflammation associated with acne. However, do note that further research is required to substantiate these claims.

Margaret Matheny, a vlogger, spoke about her experience of using apple cider for 30 days to combat flakiness, itchiness, and hair thinning. She said, “ I don’t have flakiness anymore; I don’t wake up in the middle of the night to itch my scalp, my hair thinning has substantially subsided (i).”

You can use ACV on your natural hair in many different ways. But the most popular method is an ACV rinse. It adds a natural shine to your hair, conditions, removes product build-up, fights frizz, and also helps detangle your natural hair. But, how to prepare an apple cider vinegar rinse for natural hair? Keep reading.

How To Prepare ACV Rinse For Natural Hair

You can prepare an ACV rinse with two simple ingredients. Always prefer to use freshly prepared ACV rinse for your hair. Some people use coconut oil to moisturize and detangle their hair before applying ACV. But there is no need to condition your hair as ACV itself is a natural conditioner.

You Will Need

• Water, 8 oz. (1 cup)
• Raw apple cider vinegar, 2 to 4 tablespoons
• A spray bottle

Process

1. Pour the raw apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle.
2. Add water to ACV in the required quantity.
3. Shake the mixture vigorously.

You can use this ACV rinse as per the requirement and condition of your hair and scalp. Scroll down to know how to use the ACV rinse for your natural hair.

How To Use ACV Rinse For Natural Hair

Always choose unfiltered, organic ACV for natural hair.

This raw ACV has a cloudy appearance and contains all beneficial nutrients. But dilute it with water as it contains acetic acid and is acidic. Undiluted ACV may cause scalp irritation.

• Dilute one part of apple cider vinegar with two parts of water and spray it over your hair with the spray bottle.
• Give a gentle massage to your scalp and apply it to the hair shafts. This brings some shine to your natural hair.
• Soak your hair wet in the diluted apple cider vinegar.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and wait for 5 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water.
• Continue with your hair wash routine.

You can use this ACV rinse after your hair wash. Also, adding other herbal ingredients to the ACV can enhance the properties of your hair rinse.

Did You Know?

A US-based health food company created the National Apple Cider Vinegar Day in 2021. It is celebrated on September 23 to honor the versatile household product.

ACV Hair Mask For Natural Hair

The hair mask is made of ACV, honey, and olive oil. ACV removes the excess oil and dead skin cells from the scalp. Honey contains hair conditioning and moisturizing properties (7). Olive oil is said to possess emollient propertiesⁱ  The property of an ingredient to moisturize dry, chapped, and flaky skin to make it healthy, soft, smooth, and supple. that help condition your hair (8). The combination of these three ingredients improves your hair health.

You Will Need

• Apple cider vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoon
• Olive oil, 1 tablespoon
• Honey, 2 tablespoons

Process

1. Mix all three ingredients in a bowl.
2. Apply the mixture to your damp hair from the roots.
3. Cover your hair with a shower cap.
4. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Rinse completely.

This apple cider vinegar hair rinse and hair mask will make your locks look fresh and shiny. These recipes can help restore your hair’s natural shine and texture. But before you try them out, you must know if ACV has any side effects.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Are there any side effects of washing hair with apple cider vinegar? Though applying ACV to your natural hair has no adverse effects, some people claim that it dries their hair out. Limited research is available to prove this claim. ACV may dry hair out if the ACV to water ratio is right. Hence, be sure to dilute ACV properly before use.

Infographic: Top 5 Benefits Of Using Apple Cider Vinegar For Type 4 Hair

Type 4 hair can be difficult to maintain, and a single mistake may lead to dryness and breakage. The good news is apple cider vinegar can help, from balancing the pH of your scalp to clarifying it. The infographic below will take you through the top five advantages of using ACV for your 4C curly hair. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should you leave apple cider vinegar on your hair?

Leave apple cider vinegar on your hair for 30-45 minutes and rinse it off. Keeping it any longer than that can strip your hair’s moisture and make it dry.

Do you shampoo before ACV rinses?

Yes. You can use ACV rinses after shampooing to condition your hair and make it shiny.

How often should you use an ACV rinse on natural hair?

You can do an ACV rinse once a week or alternate week. Ensure to dilute it properly and rinse it off thoroughly.

Illustration: Apple Cider Vinegar For Natural Hair: Benefits & Side Effects

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to use apple cider vinegar for your hair. Find out if you can include this simple ingredient in your hair care routine from the video given below.

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Tere PruettCT, PBT

 

Tere Pruett is a certified trichologist from the United States Trichology Institute, with 9 years of experience. She also has a graduate education in phlebotomy. She is a master educator for the United States Trichology Institute and began traveling all over the United States teaching and facilitating trichology and hands-on clinical classes.

Read full bio of Tere Pruett

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha

Medha DebCommerce Editor

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

Read full bio of Medha Deb