The Vinegar Rinse (this post is kind of gross, just saying.)

You Too Can Do: The Vinegar Rinse

(Doesn’t that sound like a weird 90’s dance or something?)

HI EVERYONE.

Sorry for being MIA lately. (Missing, not the singer. Don’t get it twisted).

I won’t lie, I’m going through some things right now. Grown-up, fearing my mortality and mortgage bills things.

But I wanted to hop on and show you something I’ve been doing lately that’s been really helping my hair- especially with the 108 California heat we’ve been experiencing for the last like, 8 weeks.

This is for anyone who experiences the following in their hair:

Dandruff, dryness, breakage, flyaways, split ends, product build up, tangles, dullness, color fading, musky smell, itchy scalp…

Did I get everyone?

My point is, anyone can use this.

BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THIS BLOG, I will tell you my secrets.

I have horrible, crazy itchy dandruff. It’s just something I’ve always had. I am dry from head to toe no matter how much water I drink, how many moisturizers I use, or what oils I slather on myself. My skin is like, “IT’S NEVER ENOUGH” and then flips over tables like on Housewives of New Jersey and starts Hulk-smashing stuff.

It’s a tough life.

So once in awhile (when Roger isn’t home, cause oh my God, could you imagine?) I do a vinegar treatment for my scalp and then give the rest of my hair a vinegar rinse to give shine, take away the buildup, and really seal my hair’s cuticle.

For the science people out there- here’s how it works.

The acids and enzymes in vinegar (for hair purposes, I like Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar) actually kill “bottle bacillus”- which can cause a lot of scalp issues (dandruff, hair loss, itchy scalp, etc). The bacteria clogs follicles and creates those adorable little snowflakes on your shoulders.

As for the vinegar rinse- each strand of hair is covered in little scales that cover and protect- A LOT like bark on a tree. When we don’t treat our hair right (use shampoos with an alkaline pH, skip conditioners, crazy amounts of lightener *I’m looking at your blondie*) the bark starts to lift up and split. (This is breakage and split ends, people). So the vinegar balances the pH in your hair (hair naturally is slightly acidic, did you know that?), and by laying down the cuticle or “tree bark” of your hair- it gives off that pretty shine, seals in color better, and aids in reducing the amount of breakage in strands.

Cool right?

For the non-science people (like me): Your hair will be healthier, shinier, and won’t be weighed down.

Ok, SO LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS (to defeat the huns):

STEP ONE: (optional, this is mostly for people with dandruff like me)

Apply apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball directly onto your scalp. I like parting my hair into 4 big sections and then work my way through each section so I get my whole scalp.

It’s going to tingle and give off a slightly itchy feeling- that’s totally normal. If you feel BURNING however, dilute the vinegar with some water.

Apply vinegar with a cotton ball directly on your scalp.

Apply vinegar with a cotton ball to your scalp.

I like to go back through spots that are flaky or extra itchy. GROSS, RIGHT? I'M DOING THIS FOR YOU.

STEP TWO: Mix up your vinegar rinse- conditioner, vinegar, and a little water. I like to use a bottle with a long nozzle so I can really get around my scalp. (I have thick hair).

Mix conditioner, vinegar, and a little water into a bottle with a nozzle.

Apply the mix all over- scalp to ends. Make sure everything is saturated. (I like applying all this to dry hair because I want it to absorb more. You can totally apply this wet while in the shower in place of your normal conditioner and leave it on for like 3 minutes for a quick boost).

Apply your vinegar rinse all over your hair until saturated.

Now, hang out and try to leave it on as long as possible before you’re tired of smelling like an Easter egg. I wrap up in a towel to keep the smell down. I WILL SAY THOUGH, the vinegar and conditioner mix isn’t bad at all. It’s actually kind of an invigorating smell.

Try to let your hair sit with the mix as long as possible.

For frame of reference, I keep mine on for a half hour just because I do have really bad dandruff and I like to give it time to work. 15-20 minutes is probably better if you’re JUST doing the rinse, or you’re just using the whole process for a small job.

I chose to drink coffee.

I mostly just drink coffee and hang around the house watching Pulp Fiction.

I don’t have any after pictures to show you the comparison, because usually after a mask or treatment, I like to let my hair air dry.

HOWEVER, there’s some really great before and afters on the internet and Pinterest.

AND, there’s some really great other vinegar rinse recipes on Pinterest as well.

I’m a fan of mine cause it’s all stuff I already have around and I don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Hope you enjoy your new, beautiful, healthy scalp (and also that Easter egg smell in your bathroom).

-SamanthaK