Having beautiful, flowy, and healthy hair is everyone's dream. But sadly, most of us fail to get the bounce and shine we desire, even with freshly washed hair. If your hair frequently feels waxy, greasy, gunky, and limp, you're not alone. There could be many reasons causing that. It could be due to certain medications, harsh hair treatments, product build-up, or stress. Sometimes, you might even notice itching on your scalp.

Looking for a solution to fix your waxy hair? It's been around you all along. You would just have to take a trip to the kitchen to find it. Yes, it's apple cider vinegar. This simple ingredient can provide a host of benefits to your hair and scalp, from improving the look of your tresses to relieving itchiness. Want to learn how apple cider vinegar solves the waxy hair problem? Read on.

 Table of contents:

• How do you use apple cider vinegar to clarify your hair?
• Should I rinse my hair after using apple cider vinegar?
• Do you apply ACV to wet or dry hair?
• How do I get build-up out of my hair?
• Why should you not put apple cider vinegar in your hair?

How do you use apple cider vinegar to clarify your hair?

Apple cider vinegar is an excellent natural remedy for clearing your hair of all impurities. It also improves your overall scalp health, enhances shine, and strengthens the hair.

As we’ve already stated, one of the major reasons for waxy hair is product build-up. And if you’re left with waxy, limp hair even after shampooing, it’s time to look at other options for clarifying your hair. This is where apple cider vinegar comes in. This wonder ingredient not only removes product build-up from your hair but also seals the hair cuticles to boost shine and prevent frizz. The clarifying nature of apple cider vinegar also helps in giving the hair some added volume.

So, how do you use ACV for clarifying your hair? Start by mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar with two parts water. Take your hair density and length into consideration when making this solution. Pour the solution into a jar or a bottle. Now, there are three ways you can apply the ACV solution to your hair –

• After wetting your hair, leave it on for 5-6 minutes and wash it off with shampoo. Follow it up with conditioner. This is best if you can’t stand the smell of ACV.
• After shampooing and before conditioning hair.
• As a final rinse after you washed and shampooed your hair.

You can incorporate this ACV rinse into your hair routine a couple of times a week to enjoy the clarifying benefits. You can also increase the amount of ACV in the solution if you do not see results. But make sure to use at most five tablespoons in a single session. To make the job simpler, you can use the WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, which already comes with the clarifying and nourishing benefits of apple cider vinegar.

Should I rinse my hair after using apple cider vinegar?

After applying apple cider vinegar to your hair, you need to rinse it with cold water. ACV is quite powerful and acidic; leaving it in your hair for a prolonged time can cause scalp issues and irritation, so a final rinse with water is important. But you don’t necessarily need to wash your hair with shampoo every time. If your scalp is particularly sensitive or the smell of apple cider vinegar bothers you, you can still wash it off with shampoo and follow this up with your conditioner.

People with sensitive scalp and scalp infections should be especially careful while using this rinse. This is because ACV is naturally quite caustic and can cause burning and irritation if used improperly. If you do want to use ACV, increase the quantity of water in the solution. After you’ve applied it to your hair, let it sit for 2-5 minutes and wash it off with cool water. You can shampoo your hair or use a conditioner straight after.

Do you apply ACV to wet or dry hair?

Apple cider vinegar is best applied to wet hair. While you can apply ACV before washing your hair, too, it is advisable to shampoo your hair with a mild cleanser before applying ACV. When your scalp is free of impurities, oil, and dirt, it can better absorb the beneficial properties of ACV. And the ACV will be able to work better in clarifying your hair. Since apple cider vinegar has a very low pH, it also helps in closing down the cuticles. This means that it doubles up as a conditioner. If you still want to follow it up with a conditioner, you can use the WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Mask as the final treatment.

How do I get build-up out of my hair?

Besides apple cider vinegar, here are some effective ways of getting buildup out of your hair –

1. Clarifying Shampoo: If you use many hair products like gel, hairspray, and wax, they can build up on your scalp over time, leading to waxy hair. A clarifying shampoo like the WOW Skin Science Green Tea and Tea Tree Shampoo is best to deal with this product buildup. It works great on a waxy scalp and moistens your hair without making it oily.
2. Baking soda: This kitchen staple is another effective home remedy for removing product buildup. If you're a swimmer, it can be an excellent remedy for removing chlorine residue from your hair. To apply this, mix 1 tbsp baking soda with two cups of warm water. After shampooing, coat your hair with this mixture and leave it for 2 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly and condition it.
   
3. Lemon juice: Lemon juice can improve the health of your follicles and combat oily and limp hair. The acidic properties of the ingredient work well on reversing the skins of product buildup. To apply this, combine one tbsp lemon juice with 3 cups water and apply it on your hair. After letting it sit for a few minutes, rinse it thoroughly.

Why should you not put apple cider vinegar in your hair?

When used properly, vinegar can transform your hair into shiny, smooth, and volumized tresses. But excessive use of anything is bad; so is the case with ACV. If you make a strong mixture or leave it in your hair for a long time, it can weaken your hair follicles and alter the scalp's pH. If you're already suffering from hair issues, this will make bad things worse. People with extreme sensitivity should also avoid using ACV since it is quite acidic in nature. It's always best to do a patch test on your skin before applying the ACV mix to your scalp.

It's clear that apple cider vinegar is a potent remedy for waxy and oily hair that feels limp even after shampoo. With each wash with apple cider vinegar, your hair health improves drastically. And if you're hesitant about using the raw ACV, check out the Apple Cider Vinegar haircare range on Wow Skin Science.