Itchy and Dry Scalp
The great thing about ACV is that it has natural occurring acids and enzymes that kill the "bottle bacillus", a bacteria that is one of the causes for many scalp conditions such as dandruff, itchy scalp and sometimes hair loss. The bacteria works it's way into the hair follicle allowing dry crusts, (white flakes), to form that itch and flake and this can be embarrassing for those that suffer from dry itchy scalp.
A simple at home treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp is to apply full strength ACV to the scalp, massage in, and leave on for a half hour to an hour before shampooing your hair. Make sure to rinse your hair in cool/tepid water after shampooing and conditioning. This will ensure that your cuticle will seal itself shut promoting lots of natural shine.
For an extra strength solution, apple cider vinegar can be infused with oils such as tea tree oil which is another excellent natural anti-dandruff ingredient. Or you can add lavender which is has a calming effect on the senses.
Hair and skin are on the mildly acidic side of the pH scale, 4.5 to 5.5. Apple Cider Vinegar rinse has a pH of 2.9. On the other hand, many of the hair care products we use, such as cheap shampoos, bleach, hair color, and straighteners are way on the opposite end of the pH scale and are too alkaline for hair and skin. Over use of these products result in dullness and lack of bounce in the hair. Not to mention, these products can cause your color to fade too quickly. That is just money down the drain, LITERALLY!
Rinsing with apple cider vinegar will help reestablish the natural pH of your hair and remove the buildup that occurs over time from different product usage.
Rinsing will also close and seal the cuticle which covers and protects the surface of each hair strand. This creates a smoother surface which can be your 1st defense against frizz and add shine.
Don't worry about the slight vinegar smell you might notice after rinsing. It will disappear completely as your hair dries. And you shouldn't smell like a tossed salad :)
Make your own after-shampoo hair rinse by mixing 1/3 of a cup of ACV into a quart of water. You can store this mixture in a plastic spray bottle for better control and keep it in the shower so it's ready to go. If you would like to make a smaller batch of this vinegar/water solution, try mixing 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into 1 cup of tepid filtered tap water.
This ACV spray solution can be used once or twice a week...Or often as needed! Let me know how it works for you and good luck on the battle against the flakes!
Xoxo,
Jaclyn
