Skip to main content

5 ways to use apple cider vinegar on relaxed hair



I've been using apple cider vinegar in my regimen since I started this hair care journey. I also get questions about how to incorporate apple cider vinegar into a regimen.   Based on my personal experience, there are 5 ways you can use  apple cider vinegar on relaxed hair.

 After neutralizing shampoo: When you use apple cider vinegar after using a neutralizing shampoo, you are basically using it to lower the pH of the hair. The pH is a measure used to determine the acidity and alkalinity of a substance. The scale is represented by numbers ranging from 0 to 14 where 7 is neutral. Greater than 7 on the pH scale is more alkaline and less than 7 is more acidic. The pH of hair ranges between 4.5 – 5.5. Lye relaxers range from 12 – 14 and no-lye relaxers range from 9 – 11. (source: Design essentials) That means you need to use a neutralizing shampoo to bring down the alkaline levels toward a more neutral level. Apple cider vinegar is acidic and therefore, helps to bring up the acidic levels. All this brohaha simply says for your hair to be back to pH of 4.5 – 5.5, use apple cider vinegar to help achieve that.




  • Final RinseAgain, apple cider vinegar can be used as a final rinse after rinsing out all your wash day products. The purpose is to reduce itching scalp as well as again, balance pH of the hair.

  •  During and After braiding/ weaving: This will relieve your scalp of itches and dandruff. The acidity of apple cider vinegar helps to reduce inflammations and irritations on the scalp as a result of the weaves or braids installation process. 
  • During relaxer preparation: Use apple cider vinegar to help keep the pH level of the hair in balance, ensure a healthy scalp and heal irritated scalp to make your relaxer application go smoothly.

  • After colour treatment: colouring your hair is almost like relaxing your hair. The hair dyes, especially, permanent ones like what I use [see here] raise the pH level of the hair during application. Using apple cider vinegar will work to lower it just as in the case of relaxer application. This would reduce the tendency to suffer breakage and dryness from the dye.



Comments

  1. I have never used ACV in my hair. Maybe I will soon. Informative post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lawrencia10:00 am

    i use ACV to clarify my hair instead of shampoo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi! i am detangling my hair with ACV, i want to relax is straight after detangling, should rinse out the ACV first? thanks

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Speak your mind; I love to hear from you!

Popular posts from this blog

Herbs In Ghana: Bay Leaves

Today's post brings out another common herb found easily in the market. It is mainly used in preparing soups and stews and has a very strong sweet aroma. Description Bay leaves are about 1 to 3 inches long and are oval with pointed ends. The leaves are shiny with dark green tops and are a lighter green underneath. For Dandruff For the divas searching for a remedy for dandruff, use Bay leaf tea. Boil a quart of water, the remove the pot from the stove and add about 3 teaspoons of crushed bay leaves.  Cover the pot and steep until cool. Pour some in the hair after shampooing and rinsing, and massage into the head for a few minutes. For best results, leave it in for an hour before rewashing hair.Each time you wash your hair you can use the bay leaf mixture as a soothing rinse that will help eliminate dandruff.  Bay Essential Oil Aides in hair growth Provides dull, lifeless hair with luster and shine. Curbs dandruff problems. Bay Oil Infusion Wash and dry ...

Placenta In Your Hair

Placenta or the popular brand, Placentyne leave in treatment has been with us for ages!  Keratin, which hair is made of, is a strong protein that can break down with sun exposure, wind, pollutants, daily maintenance, manipulation, heat tools, and chemical treatments like permanent color. This is where using protein treatments come in to help temporarily repair the hair strands. Protein treatments are used to add strength and resiliency to damaged hair by attaching hydrolyzed proteins directly to the hair follicle and hardening the cuticle layer. If there are holes in the hair cuticle, it will fill those holes or gaps while also placing a barrier around the hair shaft to lessen further damage. Most protein treatments are conditioning treatments. They can come be a deep conditioner, light, or reconstructor (heavy) (source:https://www.naturallycurly.com)  This placenta for hair acts as a protein reconstructor! This means it's a hard protein treatment  and should therefore strengthen y...

Washing Your Hair In Harmattan

With this year's harmattan being so severe, protective styling is definitely a must. Unfortunately, I can't wear any styles yet with this short hair do what can i do? Right from the wash day, my attention has been on preventing moisture loss. This means from the shampoo process to the sealing process, each step involves maximizing moisture. I probably shampoo once every 2 weeks but I water rinse very often. This keeps the moisture levels up as well as keeping the hair less dirty.  I do well to sprit z the hair each morning before anything is done. With the new growth so thick, getting the hair damp is very crucial for moisture retention. I love length but moisture retention during this time of year is the key to a healthy hair. Another form of moisture retention technique I employ is ensuring that the deep conditioners and conditioners I use are moisture based. The Sheamoisture manuka honey conditioner is amazing at this and I really love.  The next thing I want to invest in i...