Are you looking for a natural way to care for your hair? Well – ACV is one of my top recommendations.
But why exactly is it good?
Here are the top 8 apple cider vinegar benefits for hair – which can change your locks’ look (and health).
What You Will Find In This Article
I would divide the following lines in 3 chapters:
So first of all – let’s see what exactly it contains, which is useful for your hair.
What’s Inside Apple Cider Vinegar?
Before you find out about its hair benefits – what makes ACV so effective?
Normally, I would say it’s the compounds inside it:
- acetic and folic acids
- minerals (potassium, iron, magnesium)
- polyphenols
However – none of this substances is the #1 responsible for ACV’s effect.
In fact, it’s probably their combination that works so well. [1]
As you know – ACV is a fermented juice made from crushed apples. So there’s no secret ingredient or formula.
But now that you know what it has inside – let’s get to its 8 benefits for hair.
#1 – Prevents Shedding & Breakage
Compared to other natural remedies – ACV has a pretty strong effect for hair loss.
1. How It Helps
What’s interesting is that it doesn’t contain any substances that can stop the shedding.
Instead – it has an indirect effect:
- Stimulates hair follicles.
- Strengthens the strands.
- Hydrates and repairs damaged ends.
So basically – it improves hair in general. That’s why shedding decreases – it’s just a consequence actually.
2. When To Use It
Now – ACV isn’t really effective for hair loss caused by major issues like:
- menopause or hormonal imbalance
- scalp problems
- health conditions
In this case – even if it improved hair structure, it still wouldn’t treat the cause inside. So you would need a more potent treatment.
But if your hair is falling out because it’s in a bad shape – ACV can help.
#2 – Improves Dry Scalp
Dandruff and scalp irritation can seriously affect the hair – and ACV seems to fight that.
1. How It Helps
As it’s based on vinegar, ACV is an acid substance.
Now – what exactly does it have to do with hair and irritated scalp?
Well, according to a 2014 study [2] – high alkaline products aren’t very beneficial for hair:
- increase hair friction
- cause breakage on the long term
- dehydrate the scalp
As a result – dandruff and dermatitis appear.
Now – most shampoos/conditioners on the market are alkaline. So should you stop using them?
Not really. Instead, use apple cider vinegar.
2. When To Use It
If your scalp pH is too alkaline (over 8-9), rinsing your hair with ACV will help restore the optimal values.
What are the consequences?:
- stronger hair that breaks less
- no dandruff or scalp infections
- smoother hair
In my opinion, the benefits are totally worth it.
#3 – Extra Hydration
If your hair is usually dry, using ACV constantly can really change that.
1. How It Helps
As it’s a liquid remedy, apple cider vinegar can moisturize the hair really well (and keep it so).
- Removes product buildup from the roots/scalp.
- Infuses hair with hydration.
- Seals down the outer layer of each strands.
- Doesn’t weight hair down.
- Softens and smooths frizzy hair.
Basically – it’s one of the best liquid products for hydration.
2. When To Use It
If you feel like your hair is dry, brittle and lacks hydration – ACV can be a cheap option.
Instead of using expensive masks and conditioners, rinse your hair with this liquid after every wash.
You won’t see a change immediately – that’s clear.
But if you use it for several weeks, there will be an improvement.
#4 – Fights Scalp Infections
You’re dealing with folliculitis or scalp rashes? Using ACV can help faster than you think.
1. How It Helps
Because of its acid pH – Apple Cider Vinegar can fight most bacteria located on your scalp:
- microbes and germs
- fungus
Truth is – scalp infections are a major cause of hair loss.
And unfortunately, most people are diagnosed once the infection damaged their scalp/hair.
For this reason – using an ACV rinse at least once a week could help more than you think.
As ACV kills most bacteria from your scalp, the germs that are left couldn’t reproduce and would die pretty soon. [3]
2. When To Use It
If you had any scalp infections recently – your doctor might actually recommend ACV rinse.
Obviously, besides the medical treatment.
But here’s my advice:
- rinse your hair with ACV once 1-2 weeks
- you can also do it every time you wash your hair
- it depends on your preferences
Anyway – using ACV on your hair is an excellent prevention method against scalp bacteria.
#5 – Adds Shine
Besides its benefits for hair health – ACV can also work on the aesthetic side.
1. How It Helps
In my opinion – it’s one of the cheapest ingredients for a glossy hair:
- smooths hair cuticles
- reduces frizz and tames hair
- adds extra shine and volume
Obviously – it won’t make miracles from the first wash.
But you should notice a small difference from the first time.
Surely – if you keep using ACV once or twice a week, you will seem better results every time.
2. When To Use It
I recommend this liquid remedy whenever you feel your hair dry and brittle.
In these cases – it both restores shine and smooths frizzy strands.
You only have to rinse your hair with ACV once after every wash. No big deal, is it?
#6 – Speeds Up Hair Growth
This might be a major reason why you should give ACV a try.
1. How It Helps
This is pretty similar to its effect in hair loss:
- improves hair health and quality
- strengthens each strands
- stimulates follicles
So basically – it doesn’t make hair grow directly.
But as it’s applied directly onto your scalp, it will improve blood circulation and stimulate the follicles.
In this way – your hair can grow even 2 times faster (it really depends from person to person).
2. When To Use It
Now – ACV isn’t a real hair growth remedy.
As I said, it doesn’t boost growth speed directly. So I wouldn’t recommend it if you only want to grow your hair out.
But if you want to use it for its other benefits – it might also improve growth:
- Rinse your hair with it once a week.
- Massage your scalp for 1-2 minutes.
#7 – Reduces Frizzy Hair
ACV is an excellent smoothing agent.
1. How It Helps
Frizz control is actually one of the greatest hair benefits of this ingredient, if you ask me:
- cleanses hair scalp properly
- removes any left products
- detangles ever thick strands
- smooths down the cuticles
- softens hair overall
Basically – you don’t have to do anything when using ACV. It will do its job alone.
I personally used it for taming my hair and I was always satisfied with the results.
So if you have frizzy curls – ACV is one of the best ways to keep them hydrated and frizz-free.
2. When To Use It
Winters and rainy months are the worst in terms of frizz.
Rinsing your hair with ACV after every wash can really help you deal with that.
Now – it won’t make your hair silky smooth if it’s normally kinky. Don’t expect this kind of results.
But it can improve it (even a bit).
#8 – Adds Body Wave
That’s what makes it the great choice for curly-haired ladies.
1. How It Helps
As you already heard – ACV is great in terms of hydration.
But that’s not all. Besides moisturizing frizzy hair, it also increases the curl pattern:
- helps your hair form bouncy curls
- seals down the outer layer of hair
- keeps usual frizz away
Now – if you’re a naturally curly women, ACV will make your curls looks even better.
But if you have straight hair – don’t imagine it will add body wave to your silky locks. That won’t really be the case.
2. When To Use It
If you’re having a hard time making your curls last in good shape – ACV can really help.
But there are some things you should know before:
- only works for natural curls
- doesn’t hold styled curls
Basically – if you have curly hair but still styled it in nicer curls, using ACV won’t really help.
However, when it comes to your natural curls – it will surely improve their look.
So Is ACV Worth Using?
Short answer: Definitely. It just has so many benefits for hair:
fights and prevents scalp infections- increases shine
- smooths and softens hair
- hydrates and fights off dandruff
- might help hair growth
fights and prevents scalp infectionsBut the thing is that apple cider vinegar doesn’t have any major downsides.
At least if you use it as a rinse – which I totally recommend.
Rinse your hair with ACV at least once a week (or every time you wash your hair).
In this way – your hair will get all of its benefits.
However, keep in mind that it’s not a miraculous remedy and it won’t make wonders overnight.
1 – https://www.webmd.com/-apple-cider-vinegar
Hi Olly, where was this article 3 months ago? To this day I am not sure if at that time I experienced a chemical reaction to a hair relaxer or if it was some type of food poisioning from my new-found love of eating raw oysters. Anyhow (big sigh), I broke out in an itchy rash that covered my scalp, my ears, my neck and started spreading to my face. It was also white like dandruff. It itched so bad that my head was sore. I kept using itch ointment on my scalp and neck. It cleared up after 3 weeks – but it was rough.
Now ask me if I used apple cider vinegar at that time. I would say that I did not. But ask me if I have used diluted apple cider vinegar a few years ago as a hair cleanser and I would answer that I did. So it worked in that regard for me. I knew apple cider vinegar was a healthy alternative to cleanse oil build-up from the products I was using, but I did not know it had so many benefits for a healthy scalp to promote hair growth. I will keep this in mind. One thing that concerned me though was that using regular vinegar strips color from the hair – even one’s own natural hair color. I am not sure if that is the same with apple cider vinegar.
Hi Anilise. In my opinion, your itchy rash was an allergy to the hair relaxing treatment you had. Food poisoning doesn’t cause scalp rash too often – unless the rash covers all your body. Plus, you said it looked like white dandruff – which is surely not a symptom of food poisoning.
It was 95% the treatment you had. This kind of sudden and strong treatments can affect the scalp and the hair. That’s why I’m surprised you didn’t mention anything about your hair falling out.
Apple cider vinegar would have surely helped – since it cleanses the scalp and removes leftover products. So I think it would have decreased your allergy faster.
Regarding your question, both vinegar and ACV can strip color from hair. That’s because they’re both acidic. But regular vinegar is way more acidic, so it’s more likely to make your color fade.
When it comes to ACV, things are actually safer. If you use it just to rinse your hair 2 times a week, your color won’t fade away. You would have to use it daily in order to see some bigger changes. However, if you used regular vinegar instead – it would strip the color much faster.
So hopefully, you never experience that kind of allergy again. But if you ever do, ACV will surely help decrease the symptoms.
I have hair loss problem since college. It just come and go. Whenever I suffer from too shedding and thinning hair, I really become embarrassed. There was a point when I needed a haircut but can’t go to the salon because of all the hairs falling out whenever I brushed my hair.
I have tried using apple cider vinegar but it was only effective at first. Also, I didn’t like the smell of it on my hair. I think another problem which is connected to the first one is that my hair/scalp produces too much oil. Even though I thoroughly wash and rinse them, it will still get oily after several hours.
I would like to try the turmeric spray and see what it do to my problem. I hope it does work because I am running out of natural remedies for my hair problem.
Hello Gina, thanks for sharing your experience.
Apple cider vinegar isn’t an actual remedy for hair loss. It does help prevent it and it also helps minor shedding – but if your hair is falling out massively, it’s not going to help.
And I can tell the same about turmeric. This is also a general hair remedy – it helps minor issues in general, not something specific. So it’s effective for a hair loss caused by seasonal changes, fragile hair, etc. But for a severe hair loss – it’s way too weak.
So what should you try instead? There are some herbs that work much better for hair loss and growth. However, if you want to get the best results – a supplement based on certain herbs (Saw Palmetto, Nettle, Horsetail, Bamboo, etc.) would help a lot more.
My top recommendation is called Folexin and it’s one of the best products I tried for hair loss. Even though my hair was falling out pretty badly, it managed to stop it in about 2 months. And it’s not the only product that worked so well – there are some others, but they’re all based on several herbs.
The reason why I recommend Folexin over other products is price. It’s way cheaper ($25 per bottle at most) and it has the same results. So what’s the point of spending $80 on a highly advertised product when you can get the same result with a $25 product? That’s what I think, at least.
So a herbal supplement would surely help. You can also use the turmeric spray I mentioned additionally, but it won’t really help alone.