What are the benefits of using vinegar in your hair?
Vinegar has many beneficial properties that make it great for your hair. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Removes product buildup – Vinegar helps dissolve residue from hair products, minerals in hard water, and chlorine from pools/hot tubs.
- Clarifies hair – It removes dulling residue and buildup to restore shine and bounce.
- Balances pH – Vinegar helps bring hair’s pH back to a healthy level after being stripped by other products.
- Softens hair – It seals the hair cuticle to make strands smoother and less frizzy.
- Adds shine – Vinegar’s clarifying effect helps reflect more light for shiny, lustrous hair.
- Enhances curls – The acidic components shapes and defines curl patterns.
- Treats dandruff – Its antimicrobial properties treat fungal infections that cause flakes and itching.
The acetic acid in vinegar works to gently rid hair of buildup without stripping away moisture and oils. When used properly, vinegar brings out the best in your hair!
What types of vinegar can you use on hair?
You have a few options when it comes to choosing a vinegar for your hair:
- Apple cider vinegar – This type is the most popular vinegar for hair. It balances pH, clarifies gently, adds shine, and helps treat dandruff.
- White vinegar – White vinegar works just as well as apple cider vinegar but has a stronger smell.
- Rice vinegar – Rice vinegar is gentler than white vinegar. It’s a good option if you have color-treated or damaged hair.
- Red wine vinegar – This vinegar contains antioxidants from grapes. But it does have a strong odor.
- Balsamic vinegar – Balsamic is weaker and sweeter-smelling than other vinegars. Use it diluted for added shine.
Stick to gentle, unfiltered vinegars like apple cider or rice to avoid harming your hair. Never use industrial-strength vinegars.
How much vinegar should you use on hair?
When vinegar is too concentrated, it can irritate the scalp and damage hair. For best results, dilute vinegar before applying it to your hair. Here are common dilution ratios:
- 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup water – Use this for a very mild vinegar rinse.
- 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 cup water – This is the standard dilution for a basic ACV rinse.
- 1/2 cup vinegar to 1 cup water – Use this for clarifying buildup or hard water residue.
- 1 part vinegar to 2-3 parts water – Try this if you have sensitive skin but still want to use vinegar.
For a deeper treatment, you can use up to 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. But patch test that concentration first to make sure your scalp can handle it without irritation.
How should you apply vinegar to your hair?
Here are some tips for applying a vinegar rinse:
- Shampoo your hair as normal and rinse thoroughly.
- In a glass or plastic bowl, dilute the vinegar with water in a ratio suitable for your hair.
- Pour the diluted vinegar over your head, focusing on the scalp area first before working toward the ends.
- For thicker hair, use a spray bottle to distribute the vinegar evenly from roots to tips.
- Let the vinegar sit on your hair for 2-5 minutes before rinsing out – no need to scrub or massage it in.
- Rinse the vinegar out thoroughly with cool water to seal the cuticle.
- Style as usual – the vinegar smell dissipates as your hair dries.
Use a vinegar rinse 1-2 times per week after shampooing for best results. Make sure to dilute it appropriately for your hair type.
How long should you leave vinegar in your hair?
Most sources recommend leaving diluted vinegar on your hair for 2-5 minutes before rinsing out. Here are some guidelines based on your specific hair needs:
As a weekly clarifying rinse:
- 2-3 minutes for fine or color-treated hair
- 3-5 minutes for normal, thick, or curly hair
To treat dandruff:
- 5 minutes, 1-2 times per week
To restore pH balance:
- 3-5 minutes, 1-2 times per week or as needed
To prep hair before coloring:
- 5 minutes, once before coloring
After swimming:
- 2-3 minutes to remove chlorine buildup
Leaving vinegar on too long can over-dry your hair. But too little time won’t let the vinegar work its magic. Consider your hair’s needs and choose a time frame in the recommended 2-5 minute range.
Does leaving vinegar in longer work better?
Leaving vinegar in for longer than 5 minutes doesn’t provide much extra benefit for your hair. Here’s why:
- The acidic components in vinegar work quickly to clarify and close the cuticle.
- Extra time doesn’t allow more penetration down the hair shaft.
- Vinegar can start to over-dry and damage hair when left on too long.
Additionally, vinegar smell intensifies the longer it is left in. The ideal time frame is 2-5 minutes for most uses.
However, if using vinegar to treat dandruff or fungal infections, 5-10 minutes is recommended 1-2 times per week. The extra time allows the vinegar to work on treating scalp issues.
But for general use, stick with 2-5 minutes to receive benefits without drying out your hair. Much longer than that generally isn’t helpful.
What happens if you leave vinegar in too long?
While vinegar offers many benefits at the right concentration and processing time, leaving it in too long can have downsides. Here’s what can happen with prolonged exposure:
- Over-drying – Vinegar is acidic with a pH of 2-3. This can disrupt moisture and cause brittle hair when left on too long.
- Scalp irritation – High acidity can inflame the scalp, causing redness and itching if left on for extended periods.
- Damage to hair cuticle – Long exposure to acid can alter the cuticle shape, leading to frizz, tangles, and breakage.
- Loss of hair color – Vinegar can strip artificial pigment from color-treated hair if processing time is too long.
- Intensified smell – Vinegar smell clings to hair strongly when left in more than 5 minutes.
So, err on the side of less time rather than more. Stick with 2-5 minutes, then rinse vinegar out thoroughly. If vinegar smell lingers afterwards, follow up with a gentle, pH-balanced conditioner.
Tips for leaving vinegar in the right amount of time
It can be tricky to keep track of time when your head is drenched in vinegar. Here are some useful tips for getting the time frame right:
- Set a timer for the recommended processing time based on your hair needs.
- Sing a song in your head that lasts 2-3 minutes, such as “Happy Birthday” twice through.
- Count slowly up to 180 or 240 aloud to reach 3 or 4 minutes.
- Ask someone to let you know when your time is up if they’re home.
- Rinse immediately once vinegar has sat for your target time frame.
- Err on the side of less time – you can always do a vinegar rinse again next wash day if needed.
Following these tips prevents over-processing so you get the benefits of vinegar without going overboard.
What’s the best vinegar rinse recipe for your hair?
The ideal vinegar rinse recipe depends on your hair type. Here are some recommended recipes:
For normal hair:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 5 drops essential oil (optional for fragrance)
For dry/damaged hair:
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon coconut or olive oil
For oily hair:
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil
For dandruff:
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 10 drops tea tree or rosemary oil
Always shampoo first, then apply your chosen vinegar blend to wet hair after rinsing out shampoo. Start with less vinegar and work up to more as needed. Let sit 2-5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Does vinegar help hair grow? What does the research say?
Many people tout vinegar hair rinses for stimulating hair growth, but what does the research say? Here’s an overview of studies on vinegar and hair growth:
Mice studies
Some studies on mice found that vinegar applied topically helped increase dermal thickness and follicle depth (1). This suggests improved conditions for hair growth.
Antifungal/anti-inflammatory properties
Vinegar demonstrates antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities due to its acetic acid content (2). This can help reduce scalp conditions that inhibit hair growth.
Anecdotal evidence
Many people attribute apple cider vinegar hair rinses to thicker, faster-growing hair. But these reports are anecdotal.
Lack of human studies
Currently no direct clinical trials prove vinegar stimulates hair growth in humans (3). More research is needed.
Potential risksShould you leave vinegar rinses in overnight?
It’s not recommended to leave vinegar rinses in your hair overnight. Here’s why:
- Overnight application exceeds the maximum recommended time of 5 minutes.
- Prolonged exposure can cause dryness, breakage, and scalp irritation.
- The acidic pH of vinegar can damage hair while sleeping.
- Vinegar smell lingers strongly when left in for hours.
- There’s no added benefit compared to a short processing time.
The optimal time frame is 2-5 minutes. Vinegar works quickly to clarify and close the cuticle. Extended processing doesn’t improve results.
However, if treating severe dandruff, a 5-10 minute vinegar application 1-2 times per week can be helpful. But rinse out thoroughly before bedtime.
For all other purposes, limit vinegar contact to 2-5 minutes then wash hair as normal. Overnight application provides no extra benefits but does risk damage.
The takeaway
Vinegar is a useful hair care ingredient that clarifies, balances pH, adds shine, and helps treat issues like dandruff when used properly. For most uses, keep vinegar processing time to 2-5 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Leaving it in longer than 5 minutes can cause dryness, irritation, and overprocessing damage. Always dilute vinegar first and perform a patch test before use. While vinegar may aid growth indirectly, more research is needed to confirm effects. Use vinegar rinses in moderation as part of your regular hair care routine for the best results.