Natural Product: Apple Cider Vinegar

Today we are going to look at a much touted natural product: apple cider vinegar, or ACV. It is often mentioned as a great home-remedy hair conditioner especially when followed after a baking soda shampoo-substitute wash. But to better understand why ACV is a must-have natural product, we need to review the pH scale from last weekend's post.

We learned that human hair has a pH of 4.5-5.5 while going into depth on the science behind bleach bath. When we apply any chemicals that are alkaline, such as relaxers and hair colors, we force open the hair cuticles allowing the chemicals to enter the hair cortex. By applying anything acidic, we can do the exact opposite: tightly re-close the hair cuticles. This gives us two benefits: the first is trapping any moisture and conditioners inside the hair for strength and the second is creating a smooth outer surface so light can bounce off and give a brilliant shine.

ACV has a pH of 2.9-3.1 which will bring your hair down to a normal level whenever it is exposed to an alkaline state, such as shampooing. We recommend the Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with a pH of 3.075.

To make your own ACV rinse, just add 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to 1 cup of water. Each hair has a different pH level so experiment to find what works best for you.

Be sure to drink some of it (diluted with water) as it will do wonders for the inside of your body too!

Have a blessed week and Merry Christmas to all!

-Aly