Give Your Tired Hair a Chemical-Free Boost with Apple Cider Vinegar
There isn’t much evidence to support just how apple cider vinegar (ACV) can positively change the chemistry in your hair. But there is plenty of research that shows, individually, what is happening with our hair and the make up of ACV. With a little common sense and personal recommendations, we can infer the possible benefits this well-rounded miracle juice has for our hair.
Here are some quick facts about both: Apple cider vinegar has a pH (potential hydrogen) level of about 3 (depending on brand and percentage of acetic acid). For example, Bragg ACV’s pH is 3.08, but a study determined the average pH was 2.78 for apple cider vinegars.
Hair’s natural pH level is between 4.5 and 5.5 (the scalp’s is 3.67) making it just acidic enough naturally to limit the amount of fungi and bacteria that can flourish on the scalp and result in itching. When the hair becomes too alkaline, the cuticles open on the hair strands and results in frizzy, brittle hair that looks dull and breaks easily. Hair can become too alkaline through the shampoos, conditioners, and styling products we put on it.
If you haven’t learned yet through your research into natural solutions, let me break it to you: everything we put on our hair and on/in our bodies chemically alter each, which is why we’re here learning to be more mindful of what we’re putting on both!
ACV was a solution I came across because I was personally in desperate need of finding natural remedies for my hair problems. Truth be told, I have suffered from dandruff, itchy scalp, and frizzy hair for the past five years. I have no idea how or why it started and for the life of me, I couldn’t get a grasp on it. I also started to develop highly porous hair, which means the individual strands feel bumpy, not smooth. It was starting to make me self-conscious and I always wore my hair up (causing even more issues for my hair). Enter apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar on its own is way too acidic to balance out our hair pH. But when diluted with water, it provides the perfect balance our hair is missing. There are different measurements out there you can find to make your own concoction. Some recommend 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to 2 cups water. Others say a 1:3 ratio. I think the important thing is to dilute, dilute, DILUTE! Then start with a greater ratio and play around with what works for your hair! Personally, I’m on the 1:3 train and have been happy taking that ride.
I measure everything out and combine it into a small spray bottle that I leave in the shower. I just spray on my scalp and hair after I shampoo. I then rinse the ACV out with cool water to help to close the cuticles, which decreases frizz even more! Use no more than twice a week and you should see some awesome improvements!
So even though it’s not been specifically proven to help our hair, we do have enough information to go on to give it a try. I did! And my hair (and I) couldn’t be happier!
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