Apple Cider Vinegar is one of my favorite products to use within my beauty routine, as it offers multiple beauty benefits and hacks.
It works amazingly for detoxing your scalp and boosting your hair’s shine, but can you use apple cider vinegar to lift unwanted hair color from your strands?
What happens if you use apple cider vinegar on hair that’s dyed? Carry on reading to find out more about the effects of using ACV on dyed hair…
Beauty Benefits Of Using Apple Cider Vinegar In Your Haircare Routine
Apple cider vinegar is often raved about on social media, as it does offer multiple beauty benefits.
When you use diluted ACV within your haircare routine, it can help to balance your scalp’s pH levels, remove products build-up on your scalp and close your hair’s cuticles to give you shinier and smoother hair.
The acetic acid within ACV can combat dandruff-causing fungi and bacteria while its anti-inflammatory properties soothe scalp irritation.
With regular use, apple cider vinegar can help to reduce frizz, enhance your hair’s natural shine, and improve the overall manageability of your hair.
Plus, the nutrients within apple cider vinegar (vitamin B and vitamin C) may strengthen your hair, to promote healthier hair growth.
Downsides Of using Apple Cider Vinegar On Your Hair
I’ve just shared the benefits of using apple cider vinegar within your haircare routine, but you need to be aware of the potential downsides too.
Applying undiluted apple cider vinegar to your hair can strip away natural oils and even hair color due to its high acidity. This can then leave your hair dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage.
If you use apple cider vinegar often on your hair, you could end up causing some scalp irritation issues, especially if you have sensitive skin (like myself).
To avoid any sensitivity issues, always dilute your apple cider vinegar before applying it to your hair or scalp.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Strip Hair Color?
When used properly (and diluted), apple cider vinegar won’t strip color aggressively. Its acidic nature helps close the hair cuticle, locking in color and enhancing shine.
However, if you apply apple cider vinegar undiluted or too frequently, it can strip color by opening the cuticle excessively and causing dryness. So, always use diluted ACV with water, before you apply it to your hair.
Hacks For Removing Unwanted Hair Color From Your Hair
If you want to remove unwanted hair dye from your hair, you can start by mixing anti-dandruff shampoo and baking soda together, to create a clarifying paste, which when applied to your hair, will help to gradually fade the hair color.
Some people get good results when using vitamin C tablets crushed and mixed together with your shampoo, as this mixture can help to break down artificial pigments within your hair dye, and is best left for 30-60 minutes on your hair.
You can try combining equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water as a rinse to lift unwanted hair color.
Specific color remover products offer the most effective solution to remove unwanted hair color from your hair, but they can be quite harsh and stripping.
For a more gentle option, regular washing with clarifying shampoo and hot water will also help fade color over time, but always deep condition after any removal method to prevent damage.
