Detox Your Hair With This Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub

Whereas most of us consider detoxing as an effective way to reset our our bodies and perhaps even lose a few kilos (and it completely is!), your inner physique isn’t the one factor that wants an occasional cleanse. Your scalp is virtually begging for a bit of TLC as effectively—and what higher manner to try this than with an apple cider vinegar scalp scrub.
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Meet the Consultants
Brendan Camp, M.D., a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
Marisa Garshick, M.D., a dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Beauty Surgical procedure (MDCS) in New York
Kerry E. Yates, trichologist and CEO of Color Collective
Advantages of an Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
In case you are unfamiliar, apple cider vinegar is a sort of vinegar that comes from the juice of crushed apples. “With the assistance of microorganisms, the juice is fermented and transformed to an acid,” explains Brendan Camp, M.D., a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “Apple cider vinegar incorporates acetic acid, which will be helpful for the pores and skin, performing as a chemical exfoliant.”
Very similar to the pores in your pores and skin, hair follicles can develop into clogged with oil, filth, and product build-up, leaving you with lackluster strands of flat, limp hair. However utilizing ACV may also help detox and refresh your scalp whereas eradicating impurities that will trigger dandruff, hair fall, and oily locks.
For those who use business hair merchandise, chances are high your shampoo is loaded with parabens, sulfates, and different chemical substances that will linger in your scalp and construct up over time. I’m a complete sucker for the shampoo and conditioner my hairdresser sells (ohh… that shine), however after some time, it looks like even my fave merchandise simply aren’t slicing it.
My hair seems limp and lifeless, and I discover a bit of extra grease than regular. That’s after I realize it’s time for a detox.


Why Scrub Your Scalp?
This apple cider vinegar scalp scrub naturally sloughs off product build-up and removes useless pores and skin cells that is likely to be weighing your hair down. Scalp scrubs are really easy to make, and by eliminating the impurities that may block hair follicles, you may assist promote circulation, encourage hair progress, and do away with cussed micro organism.
Though the science supporting most ACV detox claims is proscribed, lots of its properties are helpful for each the pores and skin and hair. We have used apple cider vinegar in all the things from shampoo to tonics to hair rinses. When utilized topically, apple cider vinegar might assist:
Exfoliate pores and skin
ACV is loaded with a pure alpha-hydroxy acid, malic acid, which can assist to softly exfoliate the pores and skin which may also help cut back useless pores and skin construct up on the scalp, notes Marisa Garshick, M.D., a dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Beauty Surgical procedure (MDCS) in New York.
Steadiness pores and skin pH
ACV has lengthy been used to assist steadiness pores and skin pH, which, in flip, retains the scalp functioning because it ought to, i.e., producing the correct amount of oil and combating dandruff-causing yeast overgrowth.
Clear clogged pores
The anti-inflammatory advantages of apple cider vinegar are superb in relation to maintaining issues like redness and flakes at bay and serving to to clear clogged pores.
And particularly when mixed with different clarifying components, like pink Himalayan sea salt, coconut oil, and nourishing hair important oils, a superb old style detox scrub can do wonders in your hair.
Sea salt incorporates nutritional vitamins and minerals that assist increase pores and skin well being and nourish hair, beginning on the root. And coconut and important oils replenish moisture that will get stripped away by the vinegar.
However your alternative of components isn’t restricted to simply those I take advantage of. Be at liberty to tweak your scrub by including any of the next:
—floor herbs and botanicals, like rosemary, thyme, and flower petals
—lemon or lime zest
—floor ginger
—oatmeal
The precise ratio of components is not too necessary because it solely sits in your scalp for a minute or two. Simply mess around along with your recipe till you discover one which works for you and your hair (or see under for 3 completely different recipes you may make, relying in your hair’s wants.)
So in case you’re able to refresh your locks and present your scalp some TLC, right here’s learn how to make your personal ACV scrub.
ACV Scalp Scrub 3 Methods
Everybody’s scalp is completely different. ACV is a superb at-home ingredient to make use of to scale back product build-up or make hair much less oily. Additionally it is a superb possibility for a pure treatment for dandruff.
Dr. Garshick recommends utilizing ACV 1-2 instances per week, however warns towards any greater than that frequency to attenuate any potential irritation. Moreover, overuse can really make the hair brittle, dry and may naturally lighten hair, notes Kerry E. Yates, trichologist and CEO of Color Collective.
The consistency is kind of fluid, mimicking water, the liquid viscosity could make it laborious to use and evenly saturate every strand. Plus the bodily scent is a bit off-putting. The scent will dissipate when the hair is dry however it’s not fully gone and may take upwards of two shampoos to fully dissipate.
Primarily based on suggestions from our readers, we discovered that the unique recipe might be a bit of sturdy for some individuals, so we put collectively two extra detox scrubs that offer you all the advantages with out the tingle or greasy after-effects.
The Unique Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
—¼ cup Himalayan pink salt, frivolously floor
—1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
—1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
—1 teaspoon Manuka honey (or uncooked honey)
—15 drops grapefruit important oil or different oil of your selecting
Dry Scalp Scrub
—¼ cup sugar (sucanat or coconut sugar can be nice for this)
—½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
—½ tablespoon water
—1 tablespoon coconut oil melted
—1 teaspoon Manuka honey
—15 drops lavender important oil or different important oil for dry scalp
Squeaky Clear Scalp Scrub
—¼ cup Himalayan pink salt, frivolously floor
—1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
—1 tablespoon shampoo
—1 teaspoon baking soda
—½ tablespoon coconut oil, melted
—1 teaspoon Manuka honey
—15 drops grapefruit important oil or different oil of your selecting


Easy methods to Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
1. Hop within the bathe and frivolously moist your hair and scalp. Squeeze out any extra water.
2. Utilizing your fingertips, scoop one to 2 tablespoons of scrub from the jar, and rub it between your arms.
3. Beginning at your hairline and dealing towards the again of the top, gently therapeutic massage the scrub into your scalp. Don’t count on your scrub to foam up like shampoo. The coconut oil will soften some, making your scrub rather less stable, however since there’s no cleaning soap, it received’t get foamy.
4. As soon as you have reached the again of your head, work your manner again towards the hairline.
5. When you’ve got longer hair, strive flipping your head over within the bathe to be able to attain the again of the top and the crown.
6. Let sit for a minute or two earlier than rinsing totally and following up with shampoo and conditioner. It does not harm to shampoo a second time when you’ve got nice or naturally oily hair.
Notice: Apple cider vinegar is robust sufficient to trigger burns, so it ought to all the time be diluted with water both earlier than or simply after making use of it to the pores and skin.
I often apply a handful of scrub to my hair after which be sure to dilute the combination with a bit of little bit of water as soon as it is on my scalp. Diluting additionally makes it much less drying, so it is safer for naturally dry and/or color-treated hair,
Scalp Scrub FAQs
How typically it’s essential exfoliate will depend upon how a lot product you employ and what you are utilizing. Most individuals will solely have to exfoliate about as soon as a month. Dr. Garshick recommends not utilizing ACV greater than 1-2 instances per week max, as overdoing it on the ACV could make hair brassy or upset the scalp’s pH steadiness.
Sure! Any honey will work, however uncooked honey is finest as a result of it has nutritional vitamins and minerals you received’t discover within the processed stuff. It doesn’t must be manuka honey.
Just like the pores and skin of the face, the pores and skin in your scalp will be delicate to sure components. Apple cider vinegar is acidic and may make the pores and skin tingle and even burn barely.
For those who run into this downside, take a handful of scrub and add about 2 tablespoons of water earlier than making use of to your scalp. The extra you dilute the scrub, the much less it would irritate your pores and skin.
I do as a result of I’ve naturally nice hair that appears higher when it is squeaky clear. However you don’t must. It actually simply is determined by your hair and the way it responds to leaving product in. You may discover that shampooing your hair helps to get the salt out after you’re finished scrubbing.
Salt and vinegar each are likely to strip or change hair coloration, so both strive it on a small patch or skip it altogether. To make it much less harsh, you may all the time exchange the salt with sugar and water down the ACV with 1–2 tablespoons of water.
I like to recommend storing it within the fridge and utilizing it inside every week.
Yep! You should utilize any oil you want.
Positive! You may miss out on a number of of the minerals in sea salt, however it ought to nonetheless depart you with a clear scalp.
After all. Strive uncooked natural sugar as a substitute.
Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
This detoxifying apple cider vinegar scrub makes use of finely floor pink Himalayan salt to slough away useless pores and skin and deep clear hair follicles.
Yield: 2 functions
Value: $4
Video
Notes
Apple cider vinegar is a robust acid, so it ought to all the time be diluted with water both earlier than or simply after making use of it to the pores and skin. I often apply a handful of scrub to my hair after which be sure to dilute the combination with a bit of little bit of water as soon as it is on my scalp. Diluting additionally makes it much less drying, so it is safer for naturally dry and color-treated hair.
Recipe Variations:
Dry Scalp Scrub
- ¼ cup sugar (sucanat or coconut sugar can be nice for this)
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon Manuka honey (or common honey)
- 15 drops lavender important oil (or one other oil of your selecting)
Squeaky Clear Scalp Scrub
- ¼ cup Himalayan pink salt, frivolously floor
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon shampoo
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon Manuka honey
- 15 drops grapefruit important oil (or one other oil of your selecting)
This put up was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with in depth expertise in medical, beauty, and surgical dermatology. Study extra about Hey Glow’s medical overview board right here. As all the time, this isn’t private medical recommendation, and we advocate that you just discuss along with your physician.
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