The Side Effects of Washing Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar

If you use vinegar as a treatment for your hair, you may wonder what the side effects of washing hair with apple cider vinegar are? The side effects include damage of the hair follicles, dryness and odor.

When you wash your hair with apple cider vinegar, the acidity of the solution may cause damage to your scalp and hair follicles if left on too long.

 The smell of apple cider vinegar will linger in your hair even after washing it out.

If you have color-treated or chemically-straightened hair, this treatment could result in dryness and breakage because it strips away all the oils from your locks.

When using this treatment, you might also experience excessive oil production, leading to greasy-looking locks and an unpleasant odor due to bacteria buildup.

We advise you to check out these side effects before trying this popular hair treatment.

Why Do People Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Their Hair?

There are some side effects, but people use apple cider vinegar for their hair mainly because it contains acetic acid, a natural hair conditioner.

A natural hair conditioner will leave your hair feeling soft and shiny, which is very important to most women.

What are some other properties of apple cider vinegar?

You can use it to remove the buildup of minerals and other substances on your scalp. 

Mix it with water to use as a body scrub – this will help exfoliate dead skin cells and keep your skin looking youthful.

You can also use it as a face wash by mixing 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of honey in the palm of your hand.

What are the Health Benefits of Using Apple Cider Vinegar

If you’ve never considered using apple cider vinegar as part of your routine to keep your hair looking great, here are some reasons why you should. 

Helps Balance Hair and Scalp pH

An apple cider vinegar rinse contains properties that will help lower the pH levels on your scalp. It does this by flattening and closing your hair cuticles. 

You might also find that your hair is easier to manage because it is smoother, and isn’t so difficult to detangle after you’ve washed it with apple cider vinegar. You will also notice frizzy hair is a thing of the past. Your hair will shine without being greasy and be less prone to breakage.

No More Itchy Scalp

The acidity of ACV helps to any potentially harmful bacteria or fungus. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that will help to reduce hair loss and dandruff, both of which are often caused by bacteria being able to flourish on your scalp. 

Contains Nutrients 

The main nutrients found in apple cider vinegar are vitamins B and C, along with potassium. All of these contain properties that will prove very beneficial in keeping your hair looking and feeling healthy. 

Removes Dead Skin Cells 

Not only does it help to exfoliate, but also in clarifying your scalp, leading to the removal of dead skin cells. It also helps to prevent the buildup of products you use for washing and conditioning your hair which can lead to pores on your scalp becoming blocked. 

Gives Your Hair a Boost 

Apple cider vinegar can help if you want to give your hair more definition, volume or curls. This is because, unlike hair conditioners that are silicone based, AVC will not weigh down your hair strands. 

Common Misconceptions Regarding Apple Cider Vinegar

You Can Use ACV in Place of Shampoo 

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. While it is effective in helping to clean your hair, it will not be able to completely cleanse it. It is best if you only use it once in a while, or use it as a rinse after you’ve used a good quality shampoo. 

It Is too Acidic and Will Damage My Hair 

This is technically true, but only if you use undiluted apple cider vinegar. It is best to use a little which you’ve diluted with some cold or cool water first occasionally. 

Make sure that you use raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar on your hair. So when you look at the bottle it should be cloudy and not clear. 

It Will Leave My Hair Smelling Like Vinegar

This simply isn’t the case. As long as you make sure that, after applying it to your hair and scalp, you have rinsed it out completely with warm water, you should be fine. If you do so, you’ll find your hair smells like it always does after it has been washed.

Do you Put Apple Cider Vinegar on Wet or Dry Hair?

Should you put apple cider vinegar on wet or dry hair? The answer is both! It just depends on what you’re looking to do with your hair.

 For example, if you have oily roots but want volume at the ends of your strands, it might be best to use ACV ( apple cider vinegar) as a treatment after washing.

If you have very long hair and are trying to keep away from split ends, try using ACV when shampooing for a deep cleansing experience.

You can also mix up a homemade conditioner by combining one part water with two parts raw honey mixed into 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar before applying it onto damp locks.

In conclusion, there are many ways that apple cider vinegar can transform your hair, so experiment until you find what works best for you!

How Long Should I Leave Apple Cider Vinegar on My Hair?

 It depends on what you’re looking to get out of the treatment – whether it is just conditioning or something more intense like deep conditioning or clarifying shampooing.

If you’re looking for an easy solution with minimal effort, then leave it in for about 15 minutes before rinsing away and patting dry with a towel (and don’t forget to use conditioner afterward!).

If you want something stronger but still gentle enough for everyday use, try leaving ACV in overnight before washing out in the morning – this will help remove buildup without stripping too much natural oil from your hair.

If this is your first time trying out ACV, you should leave it on your hair for no longer than 15 minutes and follow your hair’s reaction.

If you are experiencing some side effects, you should rinse it off immediately and look out for other products that will work better for you.

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Make Hair Greasy?

Yes, apple cider vinegar can make your hair look greasy if you haven’t rinsed it completely. Rinse your hair thoroughly after using apple cider vinegar as a conditioner to avoid the greasy look.

This applies to all conditioners in general; if you don’t wash them off properly, you may end up with greasy hair.

 Pro tip: You should also be careful not to use too much of this acidic liquid, or it might make your scalp itch and flaky.

If this is your first time using vinegar for hair treatment, you should create a mixture of 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water.

After this treatment, if your hair is greasy, spray some dry shampoo in your hands, rub them together, and then drag through lengths of hair for volume.

Conclusion- The Side Effects of Washing Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar

Before using apple cider vinegar on your hair long-term, there are some things you should know about its side effects. The acidity can cause damage to the scalp and follicles if left on too long.

Therefore it’s important not to use it more than once a week if you are unsure about your hair’s reaction. 

While many people find that the smell fades after rinsing out the solution from their hair, some say they can’t get rid of it.

However, people try it to give their hair a break from the harsh chemicals found in shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. It has plenty of benefits, including restoring moisture, adding shine and luster to dull or dry locks. 

There are more benefits than side effects when it comes to ACV, so if it is your first time using it, we recommend that you don’t keep it on for longer than 15 minutes.

We hope this blog post gave you some insight into what will happen when you wash your hair with ACV.