Somewhere along the way apple cider vinegar became known as a wonder elixir, that can cure all of your ails. And, while it does seem to have some beneficial properties up its sleeve, those claims are likely a little too lofty.
When it comes to hair concerns, you can find mentions of apple cider vinegar everywhere. But, do they actually have the data to back them up?
Below, we will outline some of the popular claims you may come across for apple cider vinegar and hair, review which apple cider vinegar hair claims actually hold weight, and how you can use apple cider vinegar for your hair if you end up wanting to give it a try.
There are a lot of hair promises made online on apple cider vinegar’s behalf.
Some of the claims include dandruff clearing, reduction of build-up, softer, smoother, and shinier hair, fewer split ends and breakage, and the big one -- reduced hair loss and boosted hair growth.
All of this sounds pretty great, but unfortunately, not all of this has the data to back it up, and it may be more wishful thinking than hard facts.
One of the most sound arguments for using apple cider vinegar on your hair is for the smoothness and shininess improvements. Your hair prefers to stay at a lower (more acidic) pH, however, many hair products like shampoos have a high (more alkaline) pH. When your hair is more alkaline than it likes, it may appear rough, dry, and break more easily. Apple cider vinegar definitely does have a slightly acidic pH that can potentially balance the hair with a rinse and may deliver the silk and shine it claims (to an extent).
Build-up reduction is another potential benefit of apple cider vinegar due to the slightly lower pH. If you feel like your scalp and hair are becoming gunky, an apple cider vinegar rinse may act similarly to a clarifying shampoo.
One study also looked into the claims of dandruff clearing with an apple cider vinegar and lemon solution, and found that the two together were able to kill the fungus associated with dandruff development. So, it may be possible to help keep dandruff at bay using apple cider vinegar. Although, it is best to develop a treatment plan with your doctor.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the big-ticket claims like hair loss reduction and increased hair growth, there are not any studies showing this to be true. For hair loss reduction and potential regrowth strategies, it would be wiser to speak with your doctor about validated options like Minoxidil or Finasteride, over putting all of your faith into apple cider vinegar.
When apple cider vinegar is used as an occasional scalp rinse, it is unlikely that any negative effects occur from the use. Although, if your scalp is very irritated or has open sores, an apple cider vinegar rinse may burn or sting. It is not recommended to use this rinse in these situations.
Otherwise, if you want to give an apple cider vinegar rinse a try to see if it boosts shine or helps out with mild dandruff, you can try the following:
Apple cider vinegar may help make your hair a little silkier, shinier, or help remove excess build-up due to its slightly acidic pH. But, it is unlikely to halt hair loss or make your hair grow like crazy. There is simply no current evidence that apple cider vinegar has the ability to stop hair loss or increase its growth.
Most people will have no issues trying out a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse for some of the reasons mentioned above, but if you experience stinging or irritation, you should stop using it.
If you are dealing with increased hair shedding or hair loss, you don’t want to waste time trying out home remedies like apple cider vinegar which likely will not deliver benefits for hair loss.
Most forms of hair loss are due to genetic androgenetic alopecia, which is also known as male and female pattern hair loss. This occurs due to your genes and sensitivity to certain hormones that damage your hair follicles. While you can’t completely halt or reverse all genetic hair loss, there are some medications that can be used to slow the process and help you keep more of your hair over time.
Here at Strut, we offer androgenetic alopecia medications for men and women using ingredients like Minoxidil, Finasteride, Dutasteride, Spironolactone, and others. Most of our formulations are customizable to suit your specific needs and preferences.
If you are interested in seeing if a prescription hair loss medication is a good fit for you, simply select the product you are considering, and complete a free online questionnaire and image-based consultation with our U.S. licensed doctors today. If you are a good candidate for treatment, your medication will be shipped to your front door with our free shipping.
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