Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair: What Are the Benefits

Apple cider vinegar for hair might just be the best-kept secret in your pantry. Many believe this versatile ingredient can tackle everything from removing product buildup to clarifying skin, thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

While ACV is scientifically proven to help with dry scalp and dry hair, it doesn’t have the backing for treating conditions like androgenic alopecia (AKA male pattern baldness).

Below, we explain what apple cider vinegar is, explore its potential health benefits, and break down the science. Plus, we’ll share tips for using ACV and suggest alternatives for promoting healthy hair growth.

You can make this tangy liquid by adding sugar to fruit. This kickstarts the fermentation process, turning sugars into alcohol. A bacteria called acetobacter converts alcohol into acetic acid.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is made from apple cider and can help preserve foods (ACV pickles, anyone?) and boost the flavor of dishes.

You can actually see the yeast and bacteria in most bottles of apple cider vinegar (AKA “the mother”). The mother in ACV is probiotic, and said to be responsible for ACV’s health benefits, though research hasn’t fully backed these claims just yet.

ACV has been a health staple since as early as 3300 B.C. Even Hippocrates, samurai warriors,  ancient Egyptians, and U.S. Civil War soldiers swore by it.

Nutritionally, ACV is like apple juice, with a few extras like B vitamins, antioxidants, acetic acid, and probiotics.

Research suggests apple cider vinegar may:

• Lower blood sugar levels

• Kill bacteria on food, potentially preventing disease transmission

• Help promote a healthy metabolism

• Lower cholesterol

Some folks claim apple cider vinegar works wonders as a clarifying shampoo, clearing away residue from dry shampoos, sulfate products, and other styling formulas.

According to online chatter and anecdotal reports, an ACV rinse of your scalp can help with:

• Scalp inflammation

• Scalp fungus

• Itchy scalp

• Dandruff

• Hair loss

• Breakage

• Hydrating fine hair

• Nourishing and protecting keratin in the hair follicle

• Reducing frizz in curly hair

• Makin color-treated hair shinier

• Limiting greasiness in oily hair

Some sources also suggest ACV can help treat skin infection due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

So how can an apple cider vinegar hair rinse make your hair healthier?

The secret lies in vinegar’s low pH). The theory is that acidity may help prevent breakage and damage by balancing the scalp’s pH and preventing it from becoming too alkaline.

For context, ACV’s pH is around 2, less acidic than stomach acid (pH 1) but more acidic than orange juice (pH 3). The pH level of products can affect the look and feel of your hair and scalp.

Applying ACV, with its acidic pH, might smooth the hair cuticle, similar to a conditioner. But this isn’t scientifically proven.

Another theory suggests apple cider vinegar can improve scalp help by inhibiting the growth of fungi and bacteria, which thrive in less acidic environments. However, if your scalp is already inflamed, using ACV might be painful.

ACV hair benefits lack solid scientific evidence. The supposed hair benefits of ACV and the whole pH balance theory aren’t backed by research. Same goes for ACV as a hair loss treatment.

What we know? It’s mostly theory and anecdotal.

We did find ONE decent study, though. Researchers looked at 123 shampoos sold globally and found that washing hair with an alkaline formula might mess with your hair.

Alkaline shampoos can increase the negative electrical charge on your hair’s surface. This means more friction between hair strands. The result? Rougher hair feel, frizziness, and more hair damage and breakage.

An ACV shampoo’s higher acidity might help detangle hair and reduce damage. But researchers of the study discovered only 38% of the brand-name shampoos they tested had a pH of less than 5.

While this information is intriguing, it’s not enough to suggest you stock up on low-pH ACV.

Thinking about incorporating apple cider vinegar into your hair care routine? Go for it! Just remember, there’s no guarantee you'll see scalp health benefits.

Here’s how to use it:

• As a rinse before or after shampooing

• To balance your scalp’s pH by applying it after showering

• As a hair mask to target the hair cuticle more directly

You can fin ACV in shampoos and other hair care products or add the ACV from your pantry to your current favorites. Just remember to use it safely and watch for side effects.

Apple cider vinegar is generally safe to use and even has potential antimicrobial properties.

But it’s still an acidic product and can cause irritation with repeated use, especially if you have sensitive skin or skin that’s already inflamed.

Here are a few tips for safely getting the most from an ACV hair rinse:

• Don’t apply ACV to broken or irritated skin.

• Dilute the vinegar with water before applying.

• Stop applying it if you experience itchiness or dryness.

Struggling with hair loss? Apple cider vinegar, essential oils, and other natural remedy recommendations you find on the internet probably won’t be nearly as effective as chatting with a dermatologist about your thinning hair problems.

Here’s what a healthcare professional might suggest:

• Minoxidil. Minoxidil is an FDA-approved hair loss treatment that can address many types of hair loss, including male pattern baldness. Topicals like minoxidil foam and minoxidil liquid solution can encourage blood flow to the scalp, boosting growth of surviving hair follicles.

• Finasteride. Finasteride is a medication designed specifically to target DHT — a hormone with a link to male pattern hair loss. This treatment comes in oral and topical forms and can significantly lower DHT levels in the body.

• Dandruff treatments. If you want to get rid of dandruff, proven treatments like our dandruff detox shampoo with pyrithione zinc 1% and salicylic acid could help with itching, irritation, and build up due to dead skin cells.

• Supplements and products for hair loss. We’re not big on unregulated treatments, but some ingredients are backed by more research than others. If you’re looking beyond prescription medication, a volumizing shampoo and conditioner combo or a thickening shampoo with saw palmetto can give your hair a boost. You might also consider biotin gummies to make sure your body is getting enough of the essential B vitamin.

People have used ACV as a folk remedy for millennia to help treat almost everything under the sun. You can’t prevent the slow march of time from messing with your hair follicles, but ACV might still be a welcome addition to your hair care routine.

Here’s what we hope you take away about ACV for hair:

• Apple cider vinegar has a long history of medicinal use. People have been using it as a “treatment” for various health issues for a long time.

• The research is thin. Most of the supposed benefits of ACV aren’t backed by strong evidence.

• ACV might have hair benefits. Research is limited but shows that ACV might protect hair follicles from breakage and remove harmful build up.

• Science-backed, FDA-approved medications are the best way to treat hair loss. Your best bet is to schedule a consultation with a healthcare professional as soon as you notice visible thinning. They can help point you in the right direction.

Here’s the thing you need to know: Male pattern baldness might not be curable, but it’s often treatable.

And if you’re looking for information on effective hair loss treatments, you’re in the right place. Our guides to the hair growth cycle and stimulating hair growth are full of helpful info.

And our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray is a great product that combines two proven treatments.

Leave the kitchen staples in the kitchen. If you want real results for your hair, reach out for a consultation today.