Yes, apple cider or AC vinegar can work wonders for various scalp and hair conditions. But can it enhance your thinning hair's volume? Here's the lowdown on how AC vinegar can add volume to your thinning hair.

Table of contents:

• Does apple cider vinegar add volume to hair?
• How product builds up in the hair
• What does product buildup look like?
• How AC vinegar cuts through a buildup
• Is apple cider vinegar good for thinning hair?
• Do you apply apple cider vinegar to wet or dry hair?
• How do you use vinegar for thinning hair?
• Which apple cider vinegar is best for hair?

Does apple cider vinegar add volume to hair?

The short answer is yes, ACV can add loads of volume to your hair. But to get the full benefit of apple cider vinegar as a hair volumizer, you must understand how it can work to add bounce and volume to your hair.

How product builds up in the hair

Over time, grease, dirt, and grime build on the scalp and hair shafts — this is often referred to as buildup.

Then, there is product buildup which refers explicitly to the added substances (from hair products) that collect there- it does not refer to your hair's natural oils. Product buildup is caused by film-forming ingredients like heavy oils, silicones, waxes, petroleum, and mineral oils found in many hair products. These ingredients typically do not dissolve in water and cannot be rinsed off in the shower.

Regular shampoos are not designed to cut through these heavy and thick ingredients. They can only get rid of the top and most recent layer of oil and dirt that has settled on the scalp and hair. So, even after what you believe is a thorough scalp and hair wash with your favorite regular shampoo, there is a layer of product buildup. There is also an underlying layer of dead skin cells that the naked eye cannot see.

What does product buildup look like?

When the product builds up on the hair shafts and scalp, it weighs down the hair. The first signs of a buildup are an oily scalp and hair, especially if sebum continues to travel along the hair shaft. As more and more product builds up, sebum cannot make it down the hair to coat the shaft. So hair loses its natural shine and begins to look dull. With more product accumulating on the hair shafts, hair cannot absorb moisture or hold its natural shape. It looks dry, dull, lifeless, and limp, without any volume.

How AC vinegar cuts through a buildup

AC vinegar can cut through and remove every bit of a buildup – whether it is a natural buildup of oil, grease, and dirt or a product buildup. It is several times more effective because it is much more acidic than regular shampoo; this acidic component slices through product buildup and exfoliates dead skin cells. The result is hair and scalp that is squeaky clean. Clean hair is light and bouncy and looks fuller and more voluminous than dirty, greasy hair.

Is apple cider vinegar good for thinning hair?

Yes, AC vinegar's hair and scalp cleaning properties can be suitable for thinning hair. But AC vinegar alone does not rectify thinning hair. The acidic nature of AC vinegar keeps the scalp healthy, keeps away harmful bacteria, and ensures a balanced pH level. All this goes a long way in stimulating hair growth. The vinegar is an alpha hydroxyl acid that gently exfoliates the scalp, promoting faster and healthier hair growth.

It's important to talk to a dermatologist or trichologist if you suffer from severe hair loss. They will be able to identify the root cause of your hair loss condition and treat it accordingly.

Do you apply apple cider vinegar to wet or dry hair?

Although AC vinegar is gentle, it is acidic and can be harsh on a sensitive scalp. It can also lead to various scalp problems if used in its concentrated form. So, it's essential to always use AC vinegar in its diluted form. As a ground rule, always use diluted AC vinegar on wet and never on dry hair.

When using an AC vinegar wash on your hair, you must remember that the vinegar wash will also get rid of your scalp's natural oils. You must follow up an ACV wash with a deep conditioning treatment to replace your hair's natural oils.

How do you use vinegar for thinning hair?

1. The easiest way to apply vinegar to thin or thinning hair is to dilute four tablespoons of AC vinegar in about 16 ounces of water just before you wash your hair. The solution is commonly referred to as an AC vinegar wash.
2. Shampoo your hair as you usually would, and then rinse your hair thoroughly.
3. Next, slowly pour the diluted vinegar solution onto your scalp, allowing it to spread across the entire scalp and down your hair. Gently massage the solution into your scalp. Leave it on your scalp and hair for about five minutes, then rinse it thoroughly.
4. Follow up the AC vinegar wash with a deep conditioning treatment.
   

Which apple cider vinegar is best for hair?

Any brand of apple cider vinegar can be used on hair as long as it is diluted first. Another fantastic and risk-free way to reap AC vinegar's benefits is to use natural hair products containing ACV, such as those created by WOW Skin Science.

WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo with raw Himalayan apple cider vinegar is formulated to revive and purify the hair and scalp and rebuild the hair. The gentle detoxifying shampoo removes excess buildup and oil to restore your hair's natural shine and vitality. Argan oil and sweet almond oil nourish and moisturize the hair, while nettle leaf extract's anti-inflammatory properties soothe the scalp. The shampoo is free from harsh chemicals, silicone, sulfates, and parabens and is safe enough for use, even on a sensitive scalp.