Apple Cider Vinegar - A Natural Hair Care Product

Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a natural hair care product to promote healthy hair in both men and woman. Its acidity is close to that of natural hair, it's a good conditioner and cleaning agent and it's also an effective germ killer.

Shampooing typically increases pH factor. Human hair is acidic, with a pH factor of 4 to 6. Apple cider vinegar has a pH factor of about 4. Using ACV for hair helps in bringing back the pH balance after shampooing hair.

On the other hand, many of the hair care products we use, such as soap-based shampoos, bleaches, hair colors are strongly alkaline.

Rinsing with apple cider vinegar will help balance the pH of your hair and remove the buildup that can result from the use of these styling products and inexpensive shampoos.

The acids and enzymes in ACV kill the "bottle bacillus", a bacteria that is one of the causes for many scalp and hair conditions such as dandruff, itchy scalp, hair loss and often baldness. The bacteria clogs hair follicles allowing dry crusts to form that itch and flake.


Make Your Own ACV Rinse:

Make your own healthy after-shampoo hair rinse by mixing 1/3 of a cup (75 ml) of ACV into a 1 liter of water. You can then store this mixture in a plastic bottle and keep it in the shower for ready use.

If you would like to prepare a smaller batch of this vinegar hair rinse recipe to experiment with, try mixing 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar into 1 cup (250 ml) of warm filtered tap water.


How To Wash Hair With ACV Rinse:

Wash your hair with normal shampoo as usual. While your hair is wet, apply the apple cider viengar rinse to your hair.

For best results, leave ACV rinse in your hair for a couple of minutes. This will help in removing harmful chemicals and dandruff from the hair.

You can also mix one teaspoon apple cider vinegar into your regular shampoo and use to wash hair, massaging and concentrating on your scalp.

Then rinse your hair as usual.


Benefits:

1. Apple cider vinegar has natural anti-fungal properties to combat and mitigate dandruff.

2. Apple cider vinegar also repairs damaged hair, as it restores the protective layer on hair strands. This protective layer is usually damaged because of excessive shampooing, strong UV rays, as well as air pollutants.

3. Mixing ACV with baking soda can also make hair shinier.

4. Because ACV rinse helps in smoothing the hair, it reduces split hair.

5. In some cases, apple cider vinegar is used to treat hair loss diseases.

6. For an extra strength natural hair care product, apple cider vinegar can be infused with herbs. Tea tree oil is another excellent natural anti-dandruff ingredient, which can be added .

Here are some recommended herbs to use with apple cider vinegar:

For dark hair......Parsley, Rosemary, Sage

For light hair.....Chamomile, Marigold

For red hair.......Henna

For oily hair......Lavender, Thyme

For dry hair.......Marigold

For brittle hair....Horsetail

To make your own herbal hair rinse natural hair care product:

1. Place 2 tablespoons of the dried herb (or herb mixture) into a muslin bag or tea ball and put in a warmed tea pot.

2. Pour 500 ml of boiling water over the herbs and infuse for 2 hours.

3. Allow the liquid to cool then pour it into a quart (1 liter) jar.

4. Add 500 ml of apple cider vinegar and mix well.

Note:

- If you have time, leave ACV in your hair for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off. This will maximize the benefits of apple cider vinegar in improving the quality of hair.

- Don't use cold or hot water. Hot water can damage your hair. Cold water may not be able to get rid of chemicals and dandruff form the scalp.

Stay Beautiful