How to use vinegar for hair

Tired of seeing your dull, tangled, and frizzy hair? Why opt for off-the-shelf, chemical-laden products when you can have lustrous hair easily with the magical ingredient right there in your kitchen!

Vinegar is not only a kitchen staple but has also been a recent addition to the beauty stock, showing astounding results when added to your regular hair care regime. The most popular in the community of vinegar is Apple Cider Vinegar. Elaborate processing and fermentation of the apple pulp lead to its formation. 

Apple cider vinegar encompasses an abundance of benefits due to its richness in nutrients essential for radiant hair along with the presence of vitamin B, vitamin C, as well as potassium. With an acidic nature extremely close to that of natural hair, its external use not only serves to cleanse and condition the hair but also kills the unwanted germs present.

Benefits of vinegar for hair:

• Cleansing and Clarifying Agent: Washing your hair with apple cider vinegar leads to the elimination of the gradual build-up of the sticky residue left behind by the usage of chemical and soap-based products. 
• Prevents Dandruff and Flaking: Being rich in anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, apple cider vinegar directly kills dandruff-causing bacteria and fungus, preventing further scalp conditions. 
• Prevents Hair Loss: Vinegar improves blood circulation, stimulating hair growth and strengthening roots due to a flush of essential nutrients into the scalp.
• Reduces Frizz and Detangles: The soothing properties of vinegar smooth out the hair cuticle, decreasing tangles. The cuticles, thus, reflect light, which gives the hair a shiny appearance and keeps them frizz-free.

Home remedies for using vinegar on hair:

Flaky scalp and Dandruff:

Vinegar Hair Spray

Ingredients: 

• Vinegar
• Water

Directions:

1. Combine equal parts of vinegar and water in a bowl.
2. Transfer the solution into a spray bottle.
3. Spray the solution all over your hair and scalp and massage it in.
4. Leave on the solution for 30 minutes – 2 hours, covering your hair with a shower cap.
5. Subsequently, rinse your hair thoroughly with water.

This process helps get rid of the itchy and flaky scalp, thus, preventing dandruff.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Herbal Solution

Ingredients:

• Herbs like calendula, thyme, nettle, lavender, parsley etc.
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Water

Directions:

1. Add 1 teaspoon of each of the herbs to 2 cups of boiled apple cider vinegar.
2. Let the solution rest overnight.
3. Strain the solution and transfer it into a bottle.
4. For use, mix 2-4 tablespoons of the herbal apple cider vinegar solution in 1 cup of water.
5. Rinse your hair with this solution and ensure a weekly follow up.

The herbal infused apple cider vinegar enhances proper hair growth, and effectively works to treat dandruff, itchy as well as oily scalp conditions.

Vinegar With Tea Tree Oil Massage

Ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Tea tree oil
• Water

Directions:

1. Mix ½ a cup of vinegar and water in a bowl.
2. Add 5-6 drops of tea tree oil to the solution and mix it well.
3. Apply it on your scalp, massaging it well and leaving it on for around 30 minutes.
4. Wash your hair with shampoo and warm water.

Vinegar, as well as tea tree oil, have anti-bacterial as well as anti-fungal properties. Combined, they kill the bacteria and fungus that cause scalp conditions like hair loss, dandruff, flakiness etc.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Fenugreek

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Fenugreek seeds
• Water

Directions:

1. Soak fenugreek seeds in water for about 5-6 hours, then strain and blend them to make a paste.
2. Add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to the paste. Mix it well
3. Apply the fenugreek and apple cider vinegar mixture on the scalp and leave it for around an hour
4. Wash your hair using a mild shampoo.

Fenugreek is rich in antifungal properties, and it also moisturizes and hydrates the scalp. With apple cider vinegar, it prevents dandruff caused by fungus growth.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Rosemary Oil

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Rosemary oil
• Water

Directions:

1. Put 1/8th cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of rosemary oil, and 3/4th cup of water in a bowl and mix it well.
2. Apply the solution all over your scalp and hair, massaging it in for around 5-10 minutes and leaving it on for around 30 minutes.
3. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.

Rosemary oil is rich in antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties which when combined with apple cider vinegar help in preventing dandruff, flakiness, and other infections that cause hair loss.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Ginger Powder

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Ginger powder
• Water

Directions:

1. Mix 3 parts of apple cider vinegar and 1 part of ginger powder in a bottle, keeping it in a cool dark place for a week while shaking the bottle once a day to ensure proper infusion.
2. Post one week mix equal amounts of water and ginger-vinegar infused water.
3. Apply the solution on the scalp and leave it on for 15-30 minutes.
4. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

Ginger is rich in anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Along with apple cider vinegar, it helps in restricting the growth of fungus and soothing the itchy scalp.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Yoghurt

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Yoghurt

Directions:

1. Mix 1-teaspoon apple cider vinegar in ½ a cup of yoghurt.
2. Apply the mixture on the scalp post shampoo, when hair is still wet, massaging it in and leaving it on for 15 minutes.
3. Rinse your hair with water.

Yoghurt is rich in vitamin B5 and proteins, which promote hair and scalp health. Combined with apple cider vinegar, the antibacterial properties reduce the irritation caused by dandruff.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Peppermint

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Peppermint leaves
• Water

Directions:

1. Mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 5 peppermint leaves into 1 cup of hot water and let it sit for 2 hours.
2. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle and spray it on your scalp thoroughly.
3. Rinse your hair with water.

Peppermint leaves contain antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. They soothe the scalp. With apple cider vinegar they reduce the itchiness caused by dandruff and prevent flakiness of the scalp.

Vinegar And Lemon

Ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Water

Directions:

1. Add 1 teaspoon of concentrated lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup of warm water and mix it well.
2. Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair and leave it on for around 3-5 minutes.
3. Rinse your hair with water.

Adding lemon juice to vinegar helps in preventing dandruff and flakiness. Lemon juice acts as a cleansing agent, preventing further scalp conditions.

Vinegar With Banana

Ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Banana

Directions:

1. Add 2 cups of vinegar to a peeled banana and mix it well to obtain a thick paste.
2. Apply this mixture on your hair and scalp, massaging it in, and leave it on for around 20 minutes.
3. Rinse your hair thoroughly with water.

Banana smoothens the hair and repairs damaged tresses. Along with vinegar, it prevents flakiness and dandruff.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Chamomile

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Chamomile tea bags
• Chamomile oil
• Water

Directions:

1. Add 4-5 chamomile tea bags in 3 ½ litres of boiled water and let it rest for around 15-20 minutes.
2. Add 4-5 drops of chamomile oil and ½ a cup of apple cider vinegar to the tea once it cools down, and stir it well.
3. Apply the solution onto the scalp, massage it in, and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse your hair with water.

Chamomile has soothing properties, which, when combined with apple cider vinegar, soothes the irritation in the scalp caused due to flakiness or dandruff.

Hair Growth:

Vinegar With Baking Soda

Ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Water

Directions:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 3 tablespoons of water together to obtain a paste.
2. Apply this paste onto the scalp and hair, and massage it well.
3. Leave the paste on for around ten minutes, covering your hair with a shower cap.
4. Wash your hair with the aid of lukewarm water.

Baking soda, with its anti-bacterial properties, acts as a cleansing agent, exfoliating the scalp and thus getting rid of the accumulated product residue. Combined with vinegar, it creates an inhospitable environment for the growth of fungus by balancing the pH level, promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss.

Apple Cider Vinegar With Amla Juice (Indian Gooseberries) 

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Amla (Indian gooseberries)

Directions:

1. Take a few gooseberries with discarded seeds and crush them to obtain a paste and extract the juice from their pulp.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to it and stir well.
3. Apply the solution on the scalp and hair and leave it on for around an hour.
4. Wash your hair using a mild shampoo.

Amla is enriched with vitamin C, which prevents hair loss. It also has great amounts of exfoliating, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant features, which when combined with apple cider vinegar boosts hair growth and helps in maintaining a healthy scalp.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Sage Tea

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Dried sage leaves
• Water

Direction:

1. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dried sage leaves in a container and let it steep for about 10-15 minutes.
2. Strain the tea and add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to it. Mix it well.
3. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar – sage tea.
4. After rinsing, wrap your hair in a towel for around 30 minutes. Then wash and rinse your hair with your regular shampoo.

Sage contains anti-allergic, antibiotic, and antiseptic agents. Combined with apple cider vinegar; it prevents hair loss and promotes new hair growth.

Apple Cider Vinegar With Cayenne Pepper

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Cayenne pepper (Capsaicin) extract

Directions:

1. Add 2 drops of cayenne pepper extract to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and mix it well.
2. Apply the mixture onto your scalp and problem areas and leave it on for around 60 minutes.
3. Rinse your hair with water.

Cayenne pepper irritates the scalp, thereby increasing blood flow into it. Combined with apple cider vinegar, it stimulates hair growth, making them smooth and shiny.

Apple Cider Vinegar With Honey and Aloe Vera

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey
• Aloe vera juice

Directions:

1. In ½ a cup of apple cider vinegar, mix 3 tablespoons of aloe vera juice, and I teaspoon of honey.
2. Mix the solution well and transfer it into a spray bottle.
3. Spray the solution onto your scalp and massage it in.
4. Leave on the solution for around 20 minutes, covering your hair with a shower cap.
5. Subsequently, wash your hair with shampoo using cold water

Aloe vera repairs dead skin cells on the scalp, leaving your hair smooth and shiny. Honey, on the other hand, contains moisturizing and clarifying properties. Combined with apple cider vinegar, the three ingredients help to promote a healthy scalp, protecting the hair from damage and facilitating hair growth. 

Smooth and Shiny Hair:

Apple Cider Vinegar With Egg Whites And Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Eggs
• Olive oil

Directions:

1. Blend 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 3 egg whites into a smooth paste.
2. Apply the paste on your scalp and hair, and leave it o for around ½ an hour.
3. Wash your hair using a mild shampoo.

While apple cider vinegar balances the pH level of the hair, egg whites provide nourishment from the proteins, vitamins and antioxidants they contain. Along with the two, olive oil is also rich in minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids. The combination of the three, treats damaged hair, boosting volume and shine. 

Vinegar And Coconut Oil

Ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Coconut oil
• Water

Directions:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar with one tablespoon of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of water.
2. Apply the solution onto your scalp, massaging it well and leaving it on for around 20-30 minutes.
3. Wash your hair using a mild shampoo.

Coconut oil has various antiseptic fatty acids that prevent lice and fungal infections. The combination of vinegar and coconut oil works to tame frizzy hair by moisturizing as well as smoothening it out, and protecting it from split end damage.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Cornmeal, and Grape Seed Oil

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Cornmeal
• Grape seed oil

Directions:

1. Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of cornmeal to ½ a cup of grapeseed oil and mix it well.
2. Apply the mixture onto the scalp, massaging it and leaving it on for about 1 hour.
3. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

Grapeseed oil is rich in nutrients that prevent a dry and flaky scalp and treat damaged hair. Cornmeal acts as an exfoliating agent. Combined with apple cider vinegar, they make the hair shiny and lustrous.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Essential Oils

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Essential oils like lavender and lemongrass
• Water

Directions:

1. Add a few drops of lavender and lemongrass oil to a solution of two parts of apple cider vinegar and one part of water and mix it well.
2. Spray the solution onto your scalp after washing your hair with a mild pH based shampoo, and massage it in for around 3 minutes.
3. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

Essential oils contain antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. Combined with apple cider vinegar, they prevent scalp infections and repair damaged hair.

No major side effects are caused due to the use of apple cider vinegar on that hair; however, excessive usage may dry out your tresses, and subsequently cause irritation on the scalp.

Tips and Precautions:

• For best results use raw, organic, and unprocessed apple cider vinegar.

• Do not vinegar on previously oiled hair, as the oil would prevent it from penetrating into the scalp.

• Be sure to vinegar in a well-ventilated environment, as the fumes can irritate and sting the eyes.

•  Restrict usage of products with harsh chemicals, and refrain from scratching your scalp as it can worsen the condition.

• Drink plenty of water to keep your scalp hydrated and avoid using hair styling products as well as tools.

Myths and Facts:

• Myth: Vinegar leaves a pungent smell, which lingers for days in your hair.

Fact: Once rinsed properly, no smell of vinegar lingers in the hair.

• Myth: Vinegar causes hair to become dry and brittle.

Fact: Vinegar actually smoothes out the cuticles of the hair, giving it a soft and shiny appearance.

•  Myth: Putting vinegar on hair can burn the scalp.

Fact: Using diluted vinegar on the hair causing no irritation or burning sensation, however, if you feel it is too strong for your preference, you can dilute it further.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

• Question: How often should vinegar be used on the hair?

Answer: Excessive use of apple cider vinegar dries out the scalp and may have higher negative consequences than positive ones. It is important to remember to not use it more than once, or twice a week.

• Question: Does vinegar make your hair straighter and open up the curls?

Answer: No, topical usage of apple cider vinegar simply smoothens the hair, adding a sheen to it. If you have curly hair, it will tame the frizz and enhance the curls.

• Question: Does putting apple cider vinegar on coloured hair lighten them?

Answer: No, using vinegar on hair does not lighten permanently coloured hair.