If you want to know how to use apple cider vinegar to cure dandruff, then this article will tell you everything you need to know.
Apple cider vinegar is both an anti-fungal and an anti-inflammatory. In addition, it may provide any vitamins and minerals that your hair is missing. Using a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar can balance the pH of your hair and scalp if you have washed your hair using baking soda.
If you suffer from dandruff, using apple cider vinegar may be just the thing you need to reduce the itchiness and rid yourself of dandruff for good.
Read on to find out how!
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Cure Dandruff
Dandruff is those annoying flaky skin pieces that stick in your hair and fall embarrassingly onto your shoulders.
It is more noticeable if you have dark hair, but can still cause distress for those with lighter-colored hair.
One irritating side effect of dandruff is that you might experience an itchy irritated scalp.
Before starting any treatments, natural or prescribed, it is a good idea to check that the flakes you are suffering from are actually dandruff.
This is because flakes can be a result of build-up on your hair and scalp, or instead be the result of other medical concerns such as:
- Eczema
- Fungal Scalp Infection
If you know for sure that your flakes are dandruff, then apple cider vinegar could give you the relief you need.
In turn, ridding you of the itching and social stigma that may lead to unwanted feelings of:
- Reduced Confidence
- Self-Esteem
It is normal to suffer from dandruff in your teens as your hormones become active.
However, if your dandruff still remains once your hormones have calmed, it’s natural to look for commercial products to fix the issue.
Be aware though, as commercial products tend to be full of chemicals that are not only harsh on your skin but also bad for the environment.
Exploring natural alternatives such as apple cider vinegar can only be beneficial for your skin and the planet.
You can also mix ACV with other ingredients which combines the benefits of each product and boosts your hair to a different level!
If you are wondering how do you use apple cider vinegar to treat dandruff keep reading to discover some handy methods of using apple cider vinegar to control and rid yourself of dandruff forever.
Below are 11 awesome ways to use apple cider vinegar to cure dandruff (source 1):
1. ACV And Lemon Rinse
Using an ACV and lemon rinse after your normal wash will further clean your hair, moisturize every last strand, and leave your scalp looking and feeling as clean and healthy as possible.
The citric acid and vitamin C in lemon join forces with the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of ACV to eliminate dandruff as quickly as possible.
2. ACV Massage
With its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, ACV massaged onto the scalp a few times a week can really help with reducing dandruff and visible flakes.
3. ACV Shampoo
Mixing liquid Castille soap with ACV can leave you with one of the best shampoo washes for ridding yourself of dandruff for good.
4. ACV Mask
The pH of ACV can help to balance the scalp to reduce or eliminate dandruff.
Adding ACV to your regular mask (check contraindications first) and leaving it on your hair for 10 minutes will nourish, moisturize, and balance your scalp to reduce flakiness and itching.
5. ACV Spray
Apple cider vinegar dandruff spray can be used regularly even without washing your hair first.
Add a few drops of essential oil to take away any vinegar scents that may linger.
6. Tea Tree And ACV
Apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil for dandruff have a great deal of anecdotal evidence to prove their worth.
Tea tree is well known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory results, so doubling these qualities can only be good for your scalp.
7. Aloe Vera And ACV
Aloe vera will soothe and moisturize your dry, scaly, and itchy scalp.
Add it to ACV to get a wash that will combat most hair ills.
Here are some other benefits of using aloe vera on your hair.
8. ACV And Fenugreek
Have you considered using fenugreek paste with ACV?
If you mix these two ingredients together well, this will give you a wonderful mask for your hair that removes dandruff but can also strengthen and boost the growth of your hair.
9. Coconut Oil And Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff
Adding coconut oil to your apple cider vinegar will be effective as it deeply moisturizes your scalp.
This in turn reduces the incidence of dandruff, as a moisturized scalp is a happy scalp.
10. ACV With Chamomile
Chamomile will leave your hair with a wonderful shine and soothe your inflamed scalp. Both the chamomile and ACV will help to remove dandruff for good.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar And Baking Soda For Dandruff
This is a very popular method for cleaning hair and is used by many people regardless of whether they suffer from dandruff or not.
Baking soda is a great exfoliator that can help remove dead skin and lessen the evidence of dandruff.
Now you know the answer to the query ‘can you use apple cider vinegar for dandruff’, hopefully, you will be able to try some of these ideas and end up with clean, shiny, and dandruff-free hair.
Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff
If you are wondering how does apple cider vinegar treat dandruff make sure you keep reading, as I have listed the main benefits of reducing dandruff using apple cider vinegar below.
These are just a few ways that ACV can help your hair and scalp (source 2):
Anti-Bacterial
Apple Cider vinegar reduces bacteria, in turn limiting the likelihood of developing further dandruff.
Anti-Inflammatory
Apple cider vinegar acts as an anti-inflammatory.
It helps to soothe the scalp making it less likely to react to other environmental toxins.
Moisturizing
Dandruff is basically dry skin.
If your scalp is moisturized, dandruff is less likely to occur.
Reducing Fungal Growth
Apple cider vinegar is thought to help reduce fungal growth on the scalp.
Since fungal growth can lead to shedding which can look like dandruff, reducing the growth is therefore beneficial for reducing dandruff.
Encouraging Skin Shedding
Using ACV, especially with baking soda, encourages skin shedding through exfoliation.
Balances pH
ACV being acidic often neutralizes the alkaline nature of many shampoos and washes.
Rich In Minerals
Hair specialists confirm that ACV is rich in minerals.
Minerals and vitamins lead to a healthy scalp.
A healthy scalp is less prone to dandruff and other ailments.
Removes Product Build-Up
ACV is brilliant at removing product build-up that may flake off your hair and scalp and look like dandruff.
Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar On Hair
Using ACV on your hair has to be done with some restraint.
You should not use it every day, nor should you use it without properly diluting it first.
If you use ACV too often or in too high a strength then you are likely to suffer from a:
- Painful Scalp
- Weakened Hair
- Possibly increased damage and breakage to your hair
Remember that ACV is an acid, so too much can do as much damage as it cures.
The disadvantages of apple cider vinegar on hair will not be experienced in the same way by every person.
Our hair and scalps are very individual and what suits one person could have terrible results for another.
Will Apple Cider Vinegar Cure Dandruff?
If you are wondering is apple cider vinegar good for treating dandruff, then the anecdotal evidence would say yes!
There have not been many scientific studies into the benefits of ACV, but in many ways, it can be beneficial for your hair and scalp.
Anything that helps to improve the health of your scalp is bound to help rule out dandruff long term.
How Often Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar On My Hair?
It is important to remember that although ACV can be very beneficial to your hair, it is still acid.
Using it too frequently or without sufficient dilution will have a negative effect on your hair and scalp.
Most people find that using apple cider vinegar once per week will give all the benefits without the drawbacks.
Oily hair may benefit from you using ACV more often, whereas individuals suffering from hair that is already dry and prone to breakage may find the opposite.
As everyone’s hair is different there is an element of trial and error to find out what is best for your hair type.
How Long Do You Leave Apple Cider In Your Hair For Dandruff?
Depending upon how you wish to use ACV in your hair to remove dandruff will alter how long you can leave it in your hair.
However, generally speaking, you should rinse it out after 5-10 minutes.
If you are using small quantities of ACV well diluted as a daily spray, or a hair rinse after washing, then you can leave the Apple Cider Vinegar in as you should not suffer any side effects.
However, for those of you using a stronger dose of ACV, or using it within a dandruff mask recipe then it is vital that you follow the guidelines of the recipe to avoid hair damage.
In the case of an ACV hair mask, this will usually be left in for between 5-10 minutes. Perhaps longer if the amount of ACV is lower.
Do You Put Apple Cider Vinegar On Wet Or Dry Hair?
If you are not washing your hair it is not always convenient to wet it and then have to wait for it to dry, before styling.
Therefore, for those of you wondering how to apply apple cider vinegar on hair and whether your hair should be wet or dry, worry no more!
We are here to tell you that ACV will work well on both wet and dry hair.
This is especially important information to know if you are using it as a daily/2-daily spray to keep dandruff at bay.
Conclusion
This article should have given you many ideas on how to use apple cider vinegar to cure dandruff.
Whilst using ACV on its own will have a positive impact on your hair and scalp, using it in conjunction with other dandruff-fighting ingredients will give you even more chance of combatting a flaky scalp forever.