Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff Remedy: 12 Ways to Try Now

Admit it; dandruff is a nuisance. Those white flakes over your shoulder, hair fall, and a dry- itchy scalp can be embarrassing and destroy your self-confidence.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar for dandruff treatment is cheaper and safer than the chemical hair care products in the stores.

In this article you’ll learn:

1. What is dandruff?
2. What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
3. Why use Apple Cider Vinegar for dandruff?
4. 12 Ways to use Apple Cider Vinegar for dandruff remedy
5. Precautions of using ACV

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is the rapid shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. (1)

It is the cause of a fungus called Malassezia. This yeast-like fungus is ever-present in our scalps. Things go wrong when allergies, improper hygiene, hormonal changes, pollution and other factors affect this fungus.

The affected fungus procreates oleic acid which flares up the shedding of dead scalp cells.

On the brighter side, dandruff is non-contagious. But hear the sad fact: it’s incurable.

Don’t lose hope though. We can’t cure it but curb it to a considerable extent by making the best use of certain natural ingredients.

Apple Cider Vinegar is one of those natural alternatives to control dandruff. It manages the symptoms and controls dandruff to give you back a healthy lifestyle.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV is a pale amber-colored vinegar made out of apple must. The fermentation of apple juice with bacteria and yeast can create alcohol. (2)

Later this alcohol is converted into vinegar by adding acetic acid. Like all other vinegar, ACV has a strong smell and sour taste.

For centuries ACV has been used for various purposes. It is a potent cure for flu, sores, diabetes, even cardiac problems. No wonder people consider ACV a panacea for home remedies.

In the past, there was not much medical research into ACV. But health experts today are keen to discover the vast potential of ACV and believe in its all-around health benefits.

Why Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff ?

ACV is full of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to kill the fungus and bacteria associated with dandruff. The probiotic elements also soothe the irritation of the damaged scalp. (3)

pH or acidic imbalance (4) can be one of the causes of dandruff. AVC maintains the level of pH and moisture of the scalp. It wards off the harmful fungi and a gives a healthy scalp.

ACV contains essential enzymes that help open up the clogged scalp glands. ACV cleanses the hair and the glands from all the clogging dirt. This results in a dandruff-free scalp.

Oily scalp is another prime reason of dandruff. ACV keeps the scalp oil production in balance.

ACV possesses hair restoring vitamins such as vitamin C and B. It also contains useful minerals for healthy scalp and hair.

Since ACV doesn’t contain unnatural chemicals, using a large amount of it can only target the root cause of dandruff without any side effects.

The positive results of ACV treatment for dandruff are visible within weeks.

12 Ways to use Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff Remedy?

Listed below are some of the best ACV hacks to treat and prevent dandruff:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey

Honey has great potential to balance the moisture of the scalp. It works on hydrating the dry scalp cell. A combination of ACV and honey works a miracle for dandruff.

You’ll Need:

• ACV – 1/3 cup
• Hot water – ½ cup
• Unadulterated, raw honey – 3 tablespoons
• Spray bottle
• Shower cap

The Procedure:

1. Add all the three ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly
2. Pour the solution into the spray bottle
3. Part your hair into several places
4. Spray the solution on the entire surface of your hair and scalp
5. Use the shower cap to cover up the hair and leave it for 15 minutes.
6. Rinse the hair with warm water
7. Use shampoo and conditioner too
8. Repeat the process once in a week

2. Direct Application

This method pertains to directly applying ACV to the affected scalp. Avoid this process if you have a sensitive skin with open wounds and sores on them. (5)

You’ll need:

1. ACV
2. Cotton ball 1-2
3. Warm towel

The procedure:

1. Dip a cotton ball in ACV and soak it thoroughly.
2. Dab the ACV soaked cotton ball onto the scalp by parting the hair.
3. Repeat the process several times and cover the entire scalp.
4. Gently massage the scalp for 3 minutes with fingertips.
5. Allow ACV to reach deep into the scalp by covering the head with a warm towel After an hour rinse hair with warm water only.
6. Do not use any soap or shampoo.
7. For best results repeat twice weekly for a month.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar with Peppermint

Peppermint is a potent herb with warm and spicy flavor. It is rich with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. A bond of peppermint and ACV can curb your dandruff.

You’ll Need:

• ACV – 1 cup
• Hot water- 1 cup
• 5peppermint leaves-5
• Spray bottle

The Procedure:

1. On a bowl mix ACV, peppermint leaves and hot water
2. Leave the ingredients to sleep for 2 hours
3. Strain the mixer and pour the solution into a spray bottle
4. Spray it on the scalp thoroughly
5. Repeat it daily

4. ACV Spray Method

For the dandruff victims with sensitive skin can try this spray method.

You’ll Need:

1. ACV
2. Water
3. Spray bottle
4. Towel

The Procedure:

1. Make a solution of equal amounts of ACV and water
2. Fill a spray bottle with the solution
3. Partition your hair and spray the solution evenly
4. Cover your hair with a towel for 30 minutes.
5. Clean the hair with normal water
6. Repeat the process twice a week

Note: Don’t allow the solution to enter your eyes and ears. For the new users of ACV, decrease the quantity of ACV to half that of water.

5. ACV Rinse Method

This method effectively brings relief from itchiness and irritation of the scalp. You have to perform this technique after taking a shower.

You’ll Need:

1. ACV
2. Water 1 liter

The Procedure:

1. Dilute 1/3 cup of ACV to a liter of water, in a jug
2. Keep the solution aside while you condition and wash your hair with normal water
3. Soak your hair entirely with the solution
4. Let the hair dry
5. Don’t wash the hair any further
6. Repeat 2-3 times weekly.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar with Essential oils

Essential oils are a storehouse of natural anti-inflammatory, fungicidal and easing components. (6) Together with ACV, they can be a potent tonic to control dandruff.

You’ll Need:

1. ACV
2. Water
3. Lavender, Rosemary or Lemongrass essential oils
4. Spray bottle

The Procedure:

1. Shampoo your hair
2. Dilute 2 parts of ACV with one part of water
3. Mix a few drops of your chosen essential oil to the solution
4. Spray the solution on your hair
5. Gently massage the hair for 3 minutes
6. Shampoo again and wash the hair properly
7. Repeat it once in a week

7. Warm Apple Cider Vinegar Solution

It is the process of treating your damaged hair and scalp with lukewarm ACV.

You’ll Need:

1. ACV 1-2 cups
2. A towel

The Procedure:

1. Heat the ACV on a cooking jar until lukewarm
2. Apply the warm ACV on your hair
3. Wrap the hair for 30 minutes with a towel
4. Shampoo the hair
5. Repeat the process twice a week

8. Apple Cider Vinegar and Yogurt

Yogurt has proteins and vitamin B5 which are powerful agents for healthy scalp and hair. (7)

Yogurt also contains fungicidal properties that soothe the irritation of the scalp.

You’ll Need:

• ACV – 1 teaspoon·
• Plain Curd – ½ cup

The Procedure:

1. Combine the yogurt and ACV in a bowl
2. Shampoo your hair and wash it thoroughly
3. Apply the mixer on the wet hair and massage it well
4. Give 15-20 minutes to allow the mixer sit on the hair and scalp
5. Wash it out with normal water
6. Repeat the process once a week to have best results

9. Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar

Using Baking soda as a scrub to shed off the flakes and dead skin is an effective solution to dandruff. Baking soda balances the acidity level without affecting the natural oil production of the scalp. (8)
You’ll Need:

• Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tbsp.
• Baking Soda 2 tbsp.

The Procedure:

1. Add equal quantities of baking soda and ACV in a bowl and make a thick paste
2. Apply the paste to the scalp
3. Gently massage the hair and scalp and scrub away flakes and dead skin
4. Massage for 5 minutes then wash off your hair thoroughly with normal water
5. Repeat it twice in a week

10. Aloe Vera and Apple Cider Vinegar

Aloe Vera is a refreshing agent for dandruff affected scalp.

It contains rejuvenating properties to boost the growth of healthy new scalp cells and hair. It deep cleanses and removes the clogging of the scalp glands.

Aloe Vera is an excellent moisturizer for your hair and adds new shines to it, removing dead skin cells and flakes.
You’ll Need:

• Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tbsp.
• Aloe Vera Gel 6 tbsp.
• Coconut Milk 5 tbsp.
• Water 1 cup

The Procedure:

1. Add the aloe vera gel with coconut milk and make a creamy mixture.
2. Wet your hair with water
3. Massage the mixture into your scalp with using fingertips.
4. After massaging the scalp, apply the mixture on your hair.
5. Wait for 5 minutes and let the mixer work on the damaged scalp and hair
6. Wash it out with water.
7. Create a solution by diluting the apple cider vinegar with a cup of water
8. Use this solution for a final wash of your hair and scalp
9. Let the hair dry naturally and don’t wash any further.

11. Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar

Lemon is a potent agent to control dandruff.

Lemon comes with vitamin C and anti-fungal properties. These make lemon to curb the hair problems caused by dandruff effectively. Lemon also deep cleanses and eases the irritation of the damaged scalp.

You’ll Need:

• ACV 1/4 cup
• Olive Oil 1/2 tbsp
• Tea Tree Oil 5 drops
• Lemon Juice ½ a cup
• Water 1 cup
• Spray Bottle
• Towel

The Procedure:

1. Add all the ingredients and stir it well.
2. Pour the solution in a spray bottle.
3. Spray the solution on your scalp and hair.
4. Cover the entire scalp with the solution,
5. Fold a towel over your hair and wait for 30 minutes.
6. Rinse and shampoo your hair.

12. Apple Cider Vinegar and Aspirin Rinse

Aspirin tablets are salicylates acid. This acid is anti-inflammatory and used in hair care shampoo industries. Aspirin combined with ACV can become a potent agent to cure dandruff. (9)

You Will Need:

• ACV 1 cup
• Aspirin Tablets 3

The Procedure:

1. Crush the tablets into powder
2. Mix one cup of ACV with the powdered aspirin and make a solution.
3. Thoroughly shampoo your hair.
4. After washing off the shampoo, pour the solution on hair.
5. Massage your scalp and hair as you pour.
6. Wait for 5 minutes
7. Have a final hair wash with cool water.
8. Apply conditioner and air dry your hair

Precautions of Using ACV

---

Apple Cider Vinegar has versatile medical values. But we need to be aware of certain things before we go for a natural remedy of ACV.

Listed below are some essential tips and precautions if you are planning to use ACV for dandruff remedy:

Choose the unadulterated or raw ACV for the best results and maximum effects for dandruff remedy.

If the dandruff victim has sensitive skins, first test a small area in the scalp. Dab an ACV-soaked cotton ball on a particular area for the test.

If you experience any allergic reactions or rashes, don’t proceed with the treatment.

ACV has strong fumes and may give irritation of eyes. So do the treatment sitting in an open place.

Bottom Line

It is important to follow certain tips for maintaining a healthy scalp and hair, apart from using ACV for dandruff remedy. Make it a point to drink a lot of water for good hydration of the scalp.

Follow hygienic practices and avoid using too much of chemical hair-care products in stores. Stop using shampoos with strong perfume and chemicals Avoid scratching your scalp. Scratching may lead to infections on the scalp.

Stress is one of the triggers for dandruff. Live a stress-free life for a dandruff free scalp. (10) Add fruits with probiotic properties and zinc to your daily diet. (11)