Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff, How To Use, Benefits

Amazing Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Your Hair

Dandruff and flaky scalp can be annoying. The white flakes falling from your scalp can leave bad impressions and create a constant urge to scratch your head. And when left untreated, it may even lead to even more hair problems such as hair fall.

Thankfully, there are a lot of natural remedies that can help keep dandruff at bay. Just like Apple cider vinegar for dandruff control. Made by fermenting apples, ACV is easily found in kitchens and can help improve your scalp health. It has also been recently bestowed with a superfood status due to its various health benefits. But is apple cider vinegar good for hair?

How Can ACV Help Reduce Dandruff 

Dandruff is a type of scalp infection caused by fungi or yeast known as Malassezia. Not washing your hair properly or even having an oily scalp are the top causes that can trigger dandruff. The yeast feeds on oils on the scalp and multiplies causing itchiness, flaky residue, and even redness.

Since ancient times, vinegar has been used to fight off various infections due to its antimicrobial properties. 

ACV  can help control the growth of yeast that causes dandruff to reduce itching and flakiness. ACV is also acidic due to the presence of acetic acid which helps restore your scalp’s pH levels and keeps it healthy.

How Is ACV Used To Make Scalp Healthy And Irritation Free?

The most popular and easiest way to use apple cider vinegar for hair dandruff is to use an ACV hair rinse. A rinse is the last step of your hair care routine and helps balance your scalp. You can either buy ACV from the market or make your own at home by fermenting apples for a few weeks. 

While using the ACV rinse, it is best to dilute it well with water instead of using it raw. This will help minimise any potential side effects. Using ACV hair rinse can at times leave an unpleasant smell on your hair. So rinse it out well with water if it seems to bother you.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair

Apart from reducing dandruff, there are several other reasons to add ACV to your hair care routine. 

• Removes product buildup:
  ACV has cleansing properties that can help remove buildup caused due to hair care products. It can help clear your scalp and unclog the follicles.
• Exfoliates scalp:
  The enzymes present in apple cider vinegar can also remove dead cells accumulated on your scalp which may be causing itching and flakiness.
• Help transition to organic shampoos:
  Your hair undergoes a transition phase while switching to organic, sulfate-free shampoo which can make your hair greasy and rough. Using an ACV rinse will make the transition easier by clarifying your scalp from all grease, dirt, and oils.
• Makes hair shinier:
  Alkaline pH can make your hair look frizzy, dull, and rough. And by helping balance pH levels with its acidic nature, ACV can help your hair look healthier, smoother, and shinier too. It will also help prevent breakage and friction which retains your hair volume.
• Encourage hair growth:
  The overall role of ACV in unclogging our pores, reducing dandruff, and maintaining a healthy pH of the scalp will also help encourage a healthy hair growth process.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair

1. ACV rinse For Clarifying Hair:
   Dilute 1 tbsp ACV with 1 cup of water and use it as a hair rinse. After shampooing and conditioning your hair, pour this ACV rinse into your hair and scalp. Massage it gently and then let it sit in your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it off with water. You can repeat this process every time you shampoo your hair to remove buildup from the scalp.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff:
   Mix 1tbsp ACV with 1 cup water. Pour this solution into a spray bottle. Cleanse your hair with shampoo and then spray the solution all over the scalp. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it with plain water. Follow up with our conditioner as usual.
   
   You can also use some herbs like rosemary or neem leaves to rinse for added benefits. Boil the herbs in water and strain them. Allow the water to cool and then use it to make your ACV rinse.

FAQs

1. Can Apple Cider Vinegar for dandruff irritate the scalp?
   Yes, using raw ACV directly may cause irritation to the skin and scalp. Hence, diluting it well with water is essential. Also, we always recommend conducting a patch test first to check for any allergic reactions or signs of sensitivity.
2. Can I use ACV for hair dandruff if I have a dry scalp?
   Yes,  ACV can benefit both dry and oily scalp types.
3. Can I add essential oils to ACV rinse?
   Yes, you can. But we always advise diluting essential oils with a carrier oil first to use it safely.

REFERENCES –

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158629/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/