Dandruff is probably one of the worst hair problems one could have. Not only is it annoying and painful, but it is also extremely visible, especially if you have dark hair. And nothing is worse than dealing with chronic dandruff all year round. A lot of people just accept the condition as normal, but did you know there are things you could do to ease, if not completely curb, the problem? Following is a list of 9 apple cider vinegar remedies that can help cure a dandruff problem. But before we get right into it, let’s look at how Apple cider vinegar helps with dandruff.
Benefits Of Using Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff
- Apple cider vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties that help maintain the health of your scalp. The vinegar kills any dandruff-causing fungi and effectively curbs the problem.
- Sometimes a pH imbalance is the root of a dandruff problem. Apple cider vinegar tackles this by balancing the pH of your scalp.
- Follicle clogging product build-up is another factor that leads to dandruff. Apple cider vinegar helps remove product build-up and deeply cleanses your scalp and hair.
- Apple cider vinegar also has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe an aggravated scalp of irritation and inflammation.
- More often than not, an oily scalp is the reason behind scalp flaking. Apple cider vinegar prevents this by helping balance oil production in the scalp.
How To Use Apple Cider To Cure Dandruff
1. The Vinegar Massage
You Will Need
3 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
10 minutes
Process
- Gently massage the apple cider vinegar into your scalp.
- Leave the ACV on for about 10 minutes and then wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
- Finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week or once every two weeks.
Why This Works
Massaging ACV into your scalp will help it penetrate your follicles, removing any build-up and also balance pH and oil production. This is one of the most efficient ways to maintain scalp health and ensure that it is squeaky clean.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar And Tea Tree Oil Massage
You Will Need
- 3 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 drops Tea Tree Oil
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
10 minutes
Process
- In a bowl, combine the ACV and tea tree oil.
- Gently massage the mixture into your scalp.
- Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
- Finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week or once every two weeks.
Why This Works
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that is also known for its efficiency in dealing with dandruff. Apple cider vinegar mixed with tea tree oil is the perfect combination when it comes to curbing a flaking problem.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 cup Water
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
5 minutes
Process
- In a jug, dilute 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water.
- Set this aside and proceed to wash and condition your hair.
- Once you’ve rinsed the conditioner out of your hair, pour the diluted ACV through it as a final rinse.
- Do not rinse your hair any further.
How Often?
Once every two weeks.
Why This Works
This rinse helps remove build-up, add shine, and maintain the pH balance of your scalp. It helps solve issues like follicle-clogging from product build-up and also acts as a deep cleanser for your hair.
4. Chamomile Tea And Vinegar Rinse
You Will Need
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 cup Freshly Brewed Chamomile Tea
Prep Time
10 minutes
Processing Time
5 minutes
Process
- Brew a cup of chamomile tea and to it add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
- Set the solution aside in a jug and proceed to wash and condition your hair.
- Once you’ve rinsed out the conditioner, pour the chamomile-vinegar solution through your hair as a final rinse.
- Do not rinse your hair any further and let your hair air-dry.
How Often?
Once every two weeks.
Why This Works
Chamomile tea helps add a healthy golden glow to your hair while conditioning it. Not only this, but it also helps soothe your scalp, relieving itching. It is also known for its dandruff fighting properties which work together with that of apple cider vinegar to give you a healthy scalp.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar And Aspirin Rinse
You Will Need
- 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 Crushed Tablets of Aspirin
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
5 minutes
Process
- In a jug, mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with three crushed tablets of aspirin.
- Set this aside and proceed to shampoo your hair.
- Once you’ve rinsed the shampoo out of your hair, pour the vinegar-aspirin solution through it, massaging your scalp as you pour.
- Leave the solution on for about 5 minutes and then rinse your hair thoroughly.
- Finish with a conditioner and let your hair air-dry.
How Often?
Once in two weeks.
Why This Works
Aspirin contains salicylates, which are active ingredients that are used in most dandruff shampoos. This helps give you immediate relief from the problem.
6. Baking Soda And Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp Baking Soda
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
5 minutes
Process
- Combine equal parts of baking soda and apple cider vinegar until you get a thick paste.
- Apply this mixture to your scalp and rub gently to scrub away dead skin and build-up.
- After about 5 minutes of massaging, rinse your hair with cool water.
How Often?
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Baking soda is an excellent cleansing agent. Using it as a scrub will help exfoliate the flakes and dead skin that are a result of dandruff. It helps balance the pH of the scalp without being extremely harsh and stripping away the natural oils.
7. Lemon And Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff
You Will Need
- 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Olive Oil
- 5 drop Tea Tree Oil
- The Juice from Half a Lemon
- 1 cup Water
- Spray Bottle
- Towel
Prep Time
5 minutes
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process
- Pour all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to combine.
- Section your hair and spritz the solution on your scalp and hair.
- Once your scalp is saturated in the solution, wrap your hair with a towel and wait for 30 minutes.
- Finish with shampoo.
How Often?
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Lemon’s anti-fungal properties and rich content of vitamin C prove to be extremely effective when it comes to treating dandruff. It is also an excellent cleansing agent that soothes itching and reduces irritation.
8. Aloe Vera And Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff
You Will Need
- 5 tbsp Coconut Milk
- 6 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 cup water
Prep Time
5 minutes
Processing Time
10 minutes
Process
- In a bowl, combine the coconut milk and aloe vera gel to get a smooth mixture.
- Dampen your hair and start massaging this mixture into your scalp.
- Once your scalp is covered, work the mixture through the rest of your hair.
- Leave it on for 5 minutes and then rinse it out with water.
- Now, dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and use this as a final rinse.
- Do not rinse your hair any further.
How Often?
Twice a week.
Why This Works
Aloe vera helps heal your scalp and boosts healthy cell growth, preventing flaking. It also helps moisturize and get rid of any dead skin cells, bacteria, and any another deposits that are clogging your follicles. Not only does this treatment help curb dandruff, but it also moisturizes your hair, making it manageable and adding shine.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar And Honey For Dandruff
You Will Need
- 1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Raw Honey
- Spray bottle
- Shower Cap
Prep Time
5 minutes
Processing Time
15 minutes
Process
- Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well to combine.
- Section and spritz your hair and scalp until it is completely saturated in the solution.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the solution on for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse the solution out with cool water and shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
Why This Works
Honey is a humectant which helps lock moisture into the hair shaft and the cells in your scalp, keeping them hydrated. It also helps balance pH and speeds up healing with its anti-fungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The Pros And Cons Of Using Vinegar For Hair
Pros
- Apple cider vinegar is definitely an effective ingredient when it comes to dealing with dandruff.
- It balances scalp pH.
- Normalizes oil production.
- Cleanses scalp and hair.
- Conditions hair.
- Reduces Frizz
Cons
- If you use it too much, apple cider vinegar can strip away your scalp’s natural oils. If you feel your scalp getting too dry, it would be a good idea to space out your ACV treatments.
- If you do not oil your hair regularly while using ACV treatments, it might become brittle and prone to breakage. One way of avoiding this would be to use ACV in a conditioning hair pack.
