Washing Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects (Guide)

Every day, we come across new hacks or solutions for almost everything. Be it for makeup or hair growth, we scroll through reels and posts every other day and see how people introduce new stuff that they claim to be promising. One magical remedy is apple cider vinegar, which most of us have already heard of. But this article is not about the positively powerful effects apple cider vinegar has on your skin; it is all about apple cider vinegar for your hair.

Apple cider vinegar is famously used for its skin and hair benefits other than cooking. It is used as a spot treatment for problems like acne. But just like its skin benefits, it is also widely used for hair. ACV, an abbreviation for apple cider vinegar, is rich in minerals and vitamins like vitamins B and C. Hence rinsing your hair with ACV not only strengthens your hair but will improve the sine by minimizing the hair and scalp pH. 

Almost everyone knows these benefits, but do you know, like everything else, even ACV has side effects, at least when used in excess? So does washing hair with apple cider vinegar have side effects? 

Washing Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects | Uses And More

Let’s quickly look at some of apple cider vinegar’s practical uses or benefits for hair.

Removes Dandruff and Eases Itchy Scalp

Apple cider vinegar has impressive anti-inflammatory properties. This means it can easily prevent the growth of nasty bacteria on your scalp. It is a huge relief to people who suffer from dandruff or itchy scalps. It balances the pH and exfoliates the scalp skin, thereby causing relief and a calming effect.

Brings Shine to Your Hair

ACV secures the hair cuticles and smoothes them, making them perfect for reaching excellent shine levels. This is done because of the enzymes in the fermented apple that lock in vital lipids and moisture. 

Hair Growth

The average pH level of hair is between four and five. But using different shampoos can create an imbalance in the story. Hence, ACV can be used to balance back the pH that unclogs pores and stimulates hair growth. 

Though we are presented with many possible positives of ACV, it is difficult to accept that it can also cause some side effects. But does it cause some severe side effects? Let’s have a deeper insight into this.

Washing Hair With Apple Cider Vinegar Have Side Effects?

Skin irritation / Skin Burning 

Apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic because it comprises acetic acids. These acetic acids are known to be caustic, meaning they can destroy or burn things through chemical actions. Hence, ACV can sometimes cause burning sensations or an irritable scalp.

Dry Hair

Because of the solid acidic properties of apple cider vinegar, people experience dry hair. Some people naturally have less natural oil, so they might already have dry hair. This can make their experience a bad one! Therefore, it is not recommended for people who have dehydrated hair. 

Hair Breakage

With the excess use of apple cider vinegar, especially on dry hair, you can experience hair thinning. When your hair is dry and becomes thin, they are bound to break. They break super easily even when they aren’t thin from the roots. And yes, in a situation like this, it’s not just our hair that they break; it’s our heart as well!

Because of the wide range of benefits and the number of people talking about ACV, you might think all these uses and benefits are primarily tested. But sorry to break your bubble, but according to the MedicalNewsToday, most of the anticipation about ACV is based on studies that look at vinegar in general. 

According to the Belgravia Center experts, ACV does not cure hair loss. The main reason behind connecting ACV with hair care is significant because of its ability to make hair shine and treat dandruff. They also claimed that the considerable benefit of ACV is that it is a good cleansing agent as it removes the buildup of oils and dirt on your scalp.

Can You Mix Anything Else With Apple Cider Vinegar?

There are many DIY shampoos that you can make with apple cider vinegar as one of its main ingredients. Let’s have a look at some of these creative yet effective DIYs.

Baking Soda and ACV

Baking soda in its diluted form can help remove shampoos or oils buildup. Hence, this ingredient and ACV can be used for your hair. 

Take around 3 tablespoons of baking soda and add it to 2 cups of lukewarm water. Then add 2 tablespoons of ACV. You can use this mixture directly or add a few drops of your essential oil that can add fragrance or at least remove the smell of ACV.

Olive Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar

Olive oil is famously known for its soothing properties, calming effect on your scalp, and prevention of hair dryness. So we can mix olive oil with our ACV to create our conditioner. Because of the impressive conditioning and moisturizing qualities of olive oil, we can use this mixture once a week to increase the softness of our hair.

Mix 1 tablespoon of ACV with a quarter cup of olive oil and apply it to your head. Make sure you give yourself a good massage. 

Honey, Yogurt, and ACV

Honey and yogurt are globally known for their magical benefits on the skin. In the same way, they are good with hair as well. So this mixture of honey, yogurt, and ACV will help you with the right amount of moisture and cleansing. 

Blend 1 tablespoon of honey along with 1 tablespoon of ACV. Then add a cup of yogurt and blend the mixture well. Use this as a hair mask, and then rinse your hair as you usually do.

Aloe Vera and Apple Cider Vinegar

Aloe vera is rich in vitamins A, C, and E. All these vitamins help hair growth, so why not use them with ACV? So here’s a pre-shampoo mixture of aloe vera and ACV that can help moisturize your hair and reduce dandruff.

Mix 1 cup of fresh aloe vera with 2 tablespoons of ACV. Additionally, take a teaspoon full of honey and add it to the mixture. Apply it to your hair and massage well. 

FAQs | Washing Hair With Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects 

Can I directly apply apple cider vinegar to my hair?

Apple cider vinegar consists of acetic acids and hence is slightly acidic. It should never be applied directly to your hair. It can cause itchiness or burn the skin of your scalp. So the best way to use it is by diluting it with water.

Is it okay to use apple cider vinegar on hair every day?

Using ACV frequently can cause dryness, especially when people already have dry hair. So it is recommended to use ACV about two times a week.

Do you apply apple cider vinegar on wet or dry hair?

It is recommended to shampoo your hair first and then apply ACV. This means using apple cider vinegar on damp hair is best.

What should I apply after rinsing my hair with apple cider vinegar?

After rinsing your hair with ACV, apply any conditioner to the ends of your hair just as you would normally. It is essential to condition your hair and nourish them, but with conditioners that have fewer chemicals and sulfates.

Closure

Many sources or proofs exist of people trying apple cider vinegar on their hair. Though the results can differ from person to person, ACV is said to be good for hair. It not only promotes hair growth but will also bring in the shine your hair might have been wanting. But only some things can go the way we want. Sometimes, these very efficient hacks can be a monstrous disaster for us. 

That apple cider vinegar also poses some threats when used in excess. From skin irritations to dryness, all these can be avoided if you use them the right way in the right amount. Also, when you experiment with something new, always make it a rule to do a patch test before trying it entirely on your hair or skin.