Hi - Ciera here! So. Apple cider vinegar rinses. From improving shine to balancing the pH balance of your scalp, ACV rinses are an easy hair treatment that boasts many benefits. You may be wondering what all of the benefits of this treatment are and how you can do one yourself at home. Good thing is, it’s pocket-friendly and easy to do!
BENEFITS
Why ACV? ACV is made of fermented apples. You may have heard of some people regularly drinking ACV in small amounts for other health benefits, but ACV rinses are also a great, natural remedy for many common hair and scalp concerns. This is because ACV is acidic, and the pH of your hair is naturally acidic. The idea behind using ACV for hair is that it helps bring the hair back to an appropriate pH balance. Hair types that tend to be brittle have a more alkaline pH balance, so using ACV rinses can help balance out your hair, helping to promote strength. ACV rinses are also great for split ends, adding shine and making your hair strands softer.
Not only is the pH of your hair important, but your scalp health, too! ACV is also known for being a natural and gentle home disinfectant. So, what does this mean for your scalp? ACV is antimicrobial, so it will help with any bacteria and fungi that can lead to itchiness and other scalp problems. It has also been shown to be an anti-inflammatory agent that can help clear dandruff. ACV can be found in almost all grocery stores and is budget friendly!
HOW TO USE
Okay, let’s get to it. How the heck are we applying this to our hair? The most important thing is that you always dilute it with water (preferably cooler water to encourage the hair strands to close and combat frizziness). I usually use about 4 tablespoons in a large (16oz or so) cup of cooler water. Once I have that ready and am at the end of my shower, I apply the rinse to my clean hair, being careful to avoid contact with my face or eyes (which can be irritating). I massage it into my hair and let it sit for a couple minutes before I rinse it out with cooler water. Cool water is important for hair strands as it helps reduce frizziness by encouraging hair cuticles to close along the hair shaft. Hot water does just the opposite and tends to lift hair cuticles, causing frizziness and dryness.
After I rinse the ACV out, I always dry my hair with a t-shirt instead of a cotton towel. Cotton towels wick away too much moisture, when our goal is to keep moisture in our hair. I gently squeeze my hair with the towel. ACV has a scent to it, but the scent evaporates rather quickly while your hair is drying. You can follow up with hair serum, leave-in conditioner, hair butter, etc!
I love how ACV rinses make my hair feel and when I started my natural hair journey, I did these once a week to help strengthen my damaged hair. You may find that your hair needs it less or about once a week. IMPORTANT: Like with anything else, you will want to listen to your hair and scalp. If you notice that your hair or scalp concerns are worsening after/with ACV use, then discontinue usage right away. And as always, do a patch test before doing the treatment if you’ve never done it before. Even though ACV is natural and gentle, it may cause irritation for some and if so, it should not be used.
So let us know! Have you ever done an ACV rinse before?