Why I Rinse My Hair With Apple Cider Vinegar

What comes to mind when you think of apple cider vinegar? 

For me, it was a strong odor with a tart and a strong taste to match. That is until I started my healthy relaxed hair journey. I only thought about using apple cider vinegar for cooking but after reading several blogs and articles on healthy hair care I found out I could also use it on my hair as a hair rinse.

Related read: 12 Weeks Post Relaxer: Detangling With Apple Cider Vinegar

As I dug more into this I did become a bit skeptical. Apple cider vinegar is made from the fermentation of apple cider. That doesn’t sound appealing. What is appealing are the benefits. 

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The benefits

Apple cider vinegar is good to use on relaxed hair because of the B and C vitamins and potassium it has. Plus, it has anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory properties which can be helpful for the scalp. 

Let’s dig a little deeper into these benefits

1. Lowers hair pH 

Apple cider vinegar is acidic which is why you typically see people recommending you dilute it with water before using it. The good thing about acidity is it can help restore the pH balance of our hair and scalp by lowering the pH. This is helpful because many of the hair products we use have the opposite effect and can raise the pH level of our hair.

2. Helps control frizz

When the pH level in our hair is more balanced it shows because the hair cuticle is closed. Closed hair cuticles make our hair smoother reducing frizz, increasing shine, and easier to detangle.

3. Helps alleviate scalp issues

As noted earlier, apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties from acetic acid. This will help stop the growth of bacteria and fungus that can contribute to scalp issues such as dandruff, itchiness, and inflammation.

Related read: Tips For Combating A Dry And Flaky Scalp

4. Clarifies

Apple cider vinegar is a great cleanser and build-up remover. It can also exfoliate the scalp because of the alpha-hydroxy acid it contains. I make sure to use it when I have some serious product build-up and don’t have a clarifying shampoo on hand.

How to do an apple cider vinegar hair rinse

Using apple cider vinegar on the hair has grown in popularity over the years so there are now several apple cider vinegar products in the stores that you can use on your hair. Personally, I’ve never used them and think it’s more budget-friendly to create a rinse on your own. 

To do a DIY apple cider vinegar hair rinse you need to gather your supplies of 

• Filtered water
• Apple cider vinegar
• Spray bottle or applicator bottle

Once you have your supplies here's what to do next

• Step 1: Mix 2-3 parts water and 1 part apple cider vinegar in the spray bottle or applicator bottle
• Because Apple cider vinegar is strong and can irritate your scalp it's best to dilute it before applying it hence more water than apple cider vinegar. The more water, the more diluted the apple cider vinegar is
• Step 2: Shake so liquids are mixed
• Step 3: After shampooing, apply to the scalp and hair. Massage into scalp
• Step 4: Let your hair sit for 3-5 minutes with the apple cider vinegar
• Step 5: Rinse out with cool water
• Step 6: Follow up with your regular moisturizing deep conditioner

Some tips when using apple cider vinegar

Use pure apple cider vinegar

If you're interested in including Apple cider vinegar in your regimen don't forget to look at the ingredient list to make sure it's pure Apple cider vinegar. If it’s pure, the only ingredient listed should be Apple cider vinegar. It’s also good to make sure what you're using is natural or organic.

The brand I use is the Walmart store brand, but I've seen other hair bloggers rave about the Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar. I opted to use the Walmart brand instead of the Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar purely because of the cheaper cost.

Don’t use too much

Apple cider vinegar can be drying. So it’s best to use it sparingly like once a week or even less if your hair tends to be on the dry side. When I went through a period of dry hair I stopped using apple cider vinegar on my hair for a few weeks and noticed a difference.

Try mixing it with other liquids

You can use other liquids to dilute apple cider vinegar. I personally only use water or green tea. When I use green tea I do one part apple cider vinegar, one part water, and one part green tea.