Natural Haircare 101: How to Make and Properly Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse to Revive Your Curls
Dandruff? Itchy Scalp.? Dry Hair? Product Buildup? What’s a curly girl to do? Well, I will tell you what I do when I notice any of these issues happening with my hair. I use an ACV rinse. ACV stands for Apple Cider Vinegar which is a special vinegar that contains many healing properties.
WHY SHOULD I USE AN APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE ON MY CURLS?
Rinsing with apple cider vinegar can be very helpful for softening and conditioning hair. It helps to remove product buildup without using harsh chemicals. It can help treat an itchy and irritated scalp and smooth the cuticle, making your hair shinier. Using apple cider vinegar could quickly become one of your absolute favorites.
For more information on the benefits of adding apple cider vinegar to your haircare regimen, check out this article: 10 Benefits of Adding Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Natural Hair Regimen
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE FOR MY NATURAL HAIR?
Ingredients
• 8 oz water
• 4 oz raw apple cider vinegar
Mix raw ACV with water. Dilute your vinegar with water using a 1-2 ratio. In other words, 1 tbsp ACV and 2 tbsps water, or 1 and 2 cups respectively, if you'd like to make a larger volume.
HOW DO I USE AN APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE?
Part hair into sections
Wet section.
Squeeze the excess water from your hair.
The mixture is easiest to apply using a spray bottle or a bottle with a very small opening. Apply throughout damp or wet hair, from roots to ends.
Massage the ACV into your scalp and hair. Massaging your scalp will stimulate blood circulation and help with exfoliation.
Let the mixture sit in your hair for at least 5 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
Rinse with cool water.
Shampoo and condition your hair, as usual.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I USE AN ACV RINSE ON MY HAIR?
Like so many of life's great questions, the answer to this is… It depends.
An ACV rinse is something you want to do sparingly as it may be drying to your scalp and hair. Pay attention to how the treatment affects your hair! You can do it as often as once a week or just once every several months. The key is adjusting the frequency to what feels best for your hair.
Here are some good guidelines to let you know when you may need an AVC rinse. If you have product buildup and residue on your hair and scalp, and your shampoo doesn't seem to be getting to the bottom of it, ACV will do a great job clarifying your strands and scalp. If you wash your hair regularly, consider swapping in a rinse in place of a shampoo session. An ACV rinse will help cleanse the hair, remove any product buildup your regular shampoo missed, and add shine as it lays the cuticle down flat.
Remember: Apple cider vinegar is not a surfactant or soap, so it will not lather like standard shampoos.
CAN YOU BUY RINSE ALREADY MADE?
Not up for a DIY? There are several ready-made ACV products out there that can give you the same great results. Check them out below.
Head & Shoulders Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
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