Ask a Hairstylist: Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe for Colored Hair?

In This Article

1. What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
2. The Benefits
3. How It Differs From Clarifying Shampoo
4. Is It Safe To Use on Colored Hair?
5. How To Try at Home

Apple cider vinegar is to hair like coffee is to creamer. You don't necessarily need it, but try it once and you (likely) won't go back. We know that this kitchen staple has health benefits and can even fight blackheads, but still, we have questions when it comes to using it in our hair. For one, how is it any different from a clarifying shampoo? And, is an apple cider vinegar hair rinse for colored hair deemed safe by experts? After all, it burns like crazy when you toss it down the ol' hatch, so it's natural to assume our bleached and dyed strands wouldn't be able to tolerate apple cider vinegar's acidity.
 
To find out all the benefits ACV can have on the hair and if it's safe to use on colored strands, we turned to the pros. Keep scrolling to see all they had to say about how to safely use apple cider vinegar on colored hair.

​What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

​Apple cider vinegar—or cider vinegar—is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice. "It is made by crushing apples, then squeezing out the juice," says Gretchen Friese, Bosley Professional Strength certified trichologist. "Bacteria and yeast are added to the liquid to start an alcoholic fermentation process, which converts the sugars from the juice to alcohol. Then in a second and final fermentation step, the alcohol is converted into vinegar." Apple cider vinegar contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that make it ideal for many uses ranging from cooking to health and beauty.

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What Are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar on Hair?

​Apple cider vinegar is chock-full of properties that can be nourishing and healing for the hair.

• Alleviates dry scalp: "The antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of ACV help to keep the pH level of the scalp balanced," says Friese. "Dandruff is a buildup on the scalp that happens when too much yeast is present on oily areas of the skin. Using a mix with ACV can help avoid that build up."
• Reduces color fading: Friese notes that for color-treated hair, ACV can help close the cuticles, thus maintaining your color's vibrancy.
• Controls frizz: Friese maintains that ACV can help smooth the hair and keep frizz at bay, making it a popular treatment option among those with curly and textured hair.
• Detangles: If you have hair that's prone to knots or tangles, ACV and a wide-tooth comb can help rid them.
• Reduces hair loss: With its ability to balance the skin's pH and clear the hair follicle from debris, Friese says that ACV can help reduce hair loss.

​How Does it Differ From a Clarifying Shampoo?

Apple cider vinegar may be effective at getting rid of buildup on the scalp (think: hairsprays, dry shampoo, and excess grease), but isn't that what a clarifying shampoo does? Yes and no. Friese breaks it down for us: "Clarifying shampoos are formulated to remove product buildup and excess oils as well as prep the hair for some types of color or hair treatments. However, when used alone it can fade color and make the hair feel dry and look dull, making following up with a good conditioner or treatment necessary." On the other hand, while apple cider vinegar—like a clarifying shampoo—also removes buildup and debris, it has the added benefit of offering healing properties for the scalp.
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Plus, it can seal in hair color as well as add shine and control frizz.

Is it Safe to Use on Colored Hair?

Our experts agree that apple cider vinegar is safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair. If you're looking for a solution for how to remove buildup from color-treated hair (but don't want to strip your hair of its color over time), you've found it in ACV. "Apple cider vinegar rinses are really truly about removing buildup of products, and they make the hair really clean,” says Jo Blackwell-Preston, founder and master stylist at Dop Dop Salon. Apple cider vinegar, while being acidic, is only slightly so—just enough to balance the pH of your hair (and scalp), not strip it. And because it’s a chelating agent (the thing responsible for making your hair lather up), it has the ability to grab the minerals and metals (mostly from hard water) that build up and dull your hair. “Apple cider vinegar coats the cuticle, leaving the hair soft and shiny,” Joico celebrity colorist Denis de Souza says. “It also helps to strengthen your hair by closing the cuticles and the hair shaft.” Shiny hair, healthy scalp, and unclogged hair follicles--it’s an all-around do.

All this to say, because ACV is slightly acidic, when it's mixed with two to three parts water it may extend the life of hair color, but only when applied right after the color is rinsed off. "Most hair colors are alkaline, which opens up the hair cuticle, and applying an acidic solution may reseal the cuticle," notes Friese.

How to Try at Home

Here's a good guideline for an apple cider vinegar rinse: one half to four tablespoons of ACV for every eight ounces of water. That said, you can experiment to find a dilution that works best for you and your hair type. Fill the solution in a plastic squeeze bottle or spray bottle. Friese recommends shampooing first and then saturating the hair with ACV, massaging the solution into the scalp. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing. "The frequency of use depends on the individual and their hair type, but too much use can cause brassiness and damage," she warns. de Souza agrees, noting that using an ACV rinse a few times a week isn’t going to harm your color, though you should use it less frequently if your skin skews sensitive.

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