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How Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Hair Loss

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Helena (Leeds) on 10/05/2017
 ★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar for hair loss

Hi all. I firmly believe you should tackle any problem from the inside aswell as the out, so instead of getting 50% of possible results you take it closer to 100%. Yes ACV is a good starting point but I must stress NOT the only step. Tackling hair loss takes commitment and time. I am in my 40's now and of reasonably good health ( I walk to and from work each day and exercise regularly) but despite my health I was losing hair and thinning, especially on the top and also a little at temples.

ACV is your base, it helps clear any fungal infections and parasites. Choose a brand with the 'mother' - this is very important (there are many including: Bragg, Finios or Luckyeats all raw, organic and with mother)

Step 1. What I do is mix about 1 tsp of ACV with my shampoo (ANY SLS/SLES free - there are so many now out there that it would be pointless listing as all decent) and apply. Note that I don't advocate using ACV neat as a rinse though as I find it stings my scalp and also strips my hair dye. Although I use hair dye I would suggest to avoid if possible, or like me if you really must then I suggest Naturtint, Colour Me Organic or Herbatint are all quite natural). I massage shampoo/ACV in for 20 seconds and try to leave in for up to 1 minute if I have time. Rinse with lukewarm water NOT hot! As and when required.

Step 2. Supplement. Aim for a supplement with a good representation of anti-DHT and nutrients, examples: Solgar skin hair & nails or Food science of Vermont. Both have a good range although the latter more suited to male hair loss whilst the former to female imo.

Step 3. Apply a good scalp oil at least 2 x a week. There is a Russian brand (loosely translated as 'pygeut') although not seen this outside of Russia. Another good one is Divine Herbal Hair oil which combines 31 oils and extracts and quite easy to get hold of!

Try the above 3 steps for 4-8 weeks. Most people I recommend to will see a difference in this time, at the very least to the amount of hair shedding. Thickening of the hair will take longer. But importantly a multi-pronged approach is your best bet so that you tackle it from every angle.

Additionally you can add a derma roller or just dry-massage your scalp daily. Both will help increase bloodflow to the scalp which also helps. But try the 3-step approach first alone. Only add one of the techniques just mentioned if you are still not noticing a difference after week 8.

Also for female hair loss sufferers - iron levels and thyroid tests are a must. And if you take iron supplements then drink fresh orange juice daily as the vitamin C helps the iron to be absorbed properly.

I hope this helps someone :)

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by John R. (Fort Pierce Fl) on 01/13/2017
 ★★★★★

I've been drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for about 5 months, also food grade hydrogen peroxide for other reasons not for hair loss but I noticed a family pic of me about 8 mon ago and my hair is a lot thicker now since I've been taking these two things and my congestive heart failure is gone and my cholesterol is good for the first time in 10 years and I haven't taken my cholesterol medicine in a year thank you EC and TEd. God bless everyone reading this

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by G (Sydney Au) on 06/10/2016
 ★★★★★

There are many ways to use ACV for the hair.

One of them is to add anything from 1 tsp to 1 tbs of ACV to 1 Lt of water and, after washing your hair, simply pour it through your hair, massage it into the scalp and leave in to dry.

There's no need to rinse it out and the vinegar smell dissipates rapidly as your hair dries.

You could add a few drops of Lavender, Rosemary and Tea Tree essential oils to the rinse as well.

I find that 1 tablespoon of ACV (for me personally) is far too strong and causes my scalp to increase oil production, whereas 1 teaspoon seems to be just right. I don't use it every time I wash my hair, but it does seem to leave it feeling fresh, clean and soft whenever I do.

I can't comment on its efficacy in treating hair loss, though.

Play around with the amount of ACV and see what works best for you.

I wouldn't, as others suggest, use bicarb (baking soda) to 'wash' hair with - it's incredibly drying and can lead to hair breaking off/falling out, because it's highly alkaline with a pH of 9.5! (skin and hair naturally have an acidic pH of 4.5 - 5.0).

It's only a matter of time before regular use of baking soda as a 'natural shampoo' causes excessive damage (sometimes it's 2 or 3 years before a person realizes what's happening and by then, the damage is generally done).

Good luck!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Courtney (Or) on 05/31/2016
 ★★★★★

Please look into a supplement called DIM. I used this to decrease my estrogen buildup.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sandy (Christchurch) on 11/11/2015 2 posts
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

After reading about the Apple Cider Vinegar, I decided to give it a try for my excessive hair loss, which started around menopause 5 years ago. My hair is so thin now compared to the lush head of thick hair I had.

To my utter astonishment my hair is not falling out any more, I drink 2 tablespoons 3x daily, and twice a week I rub some into my scalp and leave it on for one hour.

I no longer clog up the sink and shower drain, or the vacuum, what a miracle tonic, I have also cured my hot flashes with this also.

I will take this for life!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joyce (Lansdowne, Pa) on 01/20/2011
 ★★★★★

I have been taking ACV with water at least once a day for acid reflux. It has helped with this problem. I have been losing my hair for some time now. My hair is brittle and breaks quite easily. I have gone from shoulder length hair to about 1/2-inch of hair on my head with bald patches. Thankfully, there are some nice wigs available. I have been taking all the supplements necessary to stop my hair from breaking and falling out. My Dermatologist could not tell me what was causing my hair to break. He took scalp samples, consulted with another dr but neither of them could help. The topical steriods they gave me made it worse.

I used the ACV rinse but did not see any improvement. Two mornings ago I decided to add some lavender oil and rosemary oil to the ACV and kept in on my head for a little more than an hour. I then shampooed my hair. I towell dried my hair and put my regular moisturizer along with a little castor oil. When I got home in the evening instead of feeling dry brittle hair, my hair was moist and soft. I could not believe it!!!!!! I comb my hair and there was no hair in the comb!!!!!! I am going to continue with the regimen and will update.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Coregon (Medford, Or) on 08/30/2010
 ★★★★★

Note to Everyone about Hair Loss - The Apple Cider vinegar is NOT the culprit in Mary from NJ's hairloss. I've used ACV for years on my scalp in the shower (and left in) with no problems. (I have a sensitive scalp.. It only soothes it).

If you read Mary from NJ's post again you will see she MIXED full strength ACV AND PEROXIDE and left it on her hair and scalp overnight. Clearly it was the PEROXIDE that burned her hair and irritated her scalp causing hair loss. No hairdresser would leave Peroxide in hair and on scalp for 24 hours, and neither should we!! Also, those 2 ingredients never should have been used full strength together and left on scalp. I didn't want there to be a ACV panic.. It's still good stuff and harmless to the scalp, at least it has always been harmless for me for years. (I only use 2 T ACV to one pint of water mixture.. Why waste it when this is sufficient to create an acid environment on scalp?)

ACV is a known remedy to STIMULATE HAIR GROWTH, so why would it cause hair loss... In fact it DOESN'T! Certainly taking ACV internally would not cause hair loss either. Millions of people would be bald if that were the case :)

Hope this reassures people and they put ACV back on their list of great things to take!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Losinghair (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on 03/05/2010
 ★★★★★

I started reading this post about a month ago. I read about apple cider vinegar for hair loss. I have been suffering hair loss for the last year and a half. I am in my mid thirties and always had long, thick hair. I noticed over a year or so ago, in certain light, my scalp was obvious around the top of my head (by the way I'm female).

I believe, all hair loss is bad, but I think for women it's much worse, mentally. It's not quite as acceptable to shave your head! I am already a major stresshead and this made me stress even more. I even stopped going out with friends.

I tried many natural hair loss products with no luck and eventually starting using minoxidil (which I ordered online because I was too embarrased to purchase from the chemist). Minoxidil did grow back some hairs but after 5 months, I began suffering major irritation. My head wouldn't stop itching and was flaky and developing sores.(I had never had any problems with itchy, dandruff head etc before.)

Anyway, getting to my point. After reading here about ACV, I decided to give it a try. I have been, and would try anything to grow my hair back. (I haven't used minoxidol in over a month). It has only been 2 and a half weeks and after drinking organic ACV with the mother every day, 3 times a day, I now have new hairs sprouting in my balding patches.

I recommend drinking ACV to anyone suffering hair loss! I also have been putting the rinse through my hair twice a week. It does smell a bit, but the difference is amazing, so much smoother.

DRINK ACV!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brenda (San Luis Obispo, Ca) on 11/26/2009
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Last January I started using Apple Cider Vinegar to help with post holiday weight loss. About 3 months later I noticed that I had 1 1/2 inch sprouts of hair all over my head, particularly at the crown. I tried to figure out what caused this and the only change I had made was the ACV. I Googled "ACV, hair regrowth" and there it was! My husband started taking it and within a week we could see little hairs growing where there had only been shiny scalp before! He told the guys and work, and everyone who has tried it found it worked for them! Amazing! I was taking about 1 teaspoon at first. My husband 1-2 Tablespoons daily with a little pinch of baking soda.

We also started taking kelp tablets to help with the iodine depletion that sometimes accompanies ACV treatments. Another side benefit: my acid reflux is gone and my husband's snoring is greatly reduced.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anna (Elk Grove, California) on 04/09/2008
 ★★★★★

I'm 48. Twenty years ago I had hysterectomy and my hair thinned very badly. I was embarrassed but doctors said there was nothing they could do. I tried everything. I finally gave up and 20 years later started taking ACV for other things and it worked great. The woman who cuts my hair asked if I was taking vitamins or what I was doing different. She said there was new hair growth and my hair was thicker. Now, 6 months later, and for the first time in 20 years my hair is back to normal. You dont understand how happy that made me. I couldnt believe it and wanted to share with Ted and readers. Thank you for your website!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by JABEEN TAJ (BANGALORE, KARNATAKA) on 04/07/2008
 ★★★★★

I use Apple cider vinegar daily in the morning before meals, the quantity is of about 2 table spoon. I had a problem of hairloss and joint pain.I am of only 35 years old.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Priya (Curepipe, Mauritius) on 04/23/2007
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had a rebonding done in Dec 2005. Eversince, my hair started falling, at first it wasn't that remarkable, but gradually, more and more hair was falling off everytime I showered or combed my hair. It was becoming alarming and then decided to try ACV which worked wonders in 1day only. I had some diluted ACV applied to my hair and scalp for about 6 hours and washed my hair. That day only less hair fell when I washed and combed afterwards. Since then, I use ACV as my last rinse. It's truly working wonders. Hats off to these wonders of nature.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vincent (Tampa, Florida) on 04/16/2007
 ★★★★★

I'm a college student and spent most of my money on car insurance, rent, books and college tuition. I have a problem with my hair, it constantly shedding every day for the last 4 years to the point where i can see different bald spot on my head. I tried prescription shampoo, over the counter, scalp sensitive shampoo and different type of shampoos but nothing work. After finding out about this website about cleaning your hair with apple cider vinegar, out of desperation, i gave it a try and at the first week, it didn't seem to work but i kept on trying for a month and i begin to see result. My hair isn't falling as much and in fact, i don't see a large lump of hair on my hand every time i shampoo any more ( i only see 2-5 pieces of hairs). My scalp feel clean, my hair is shiny and smooth and even my hair stylist noticed and complemented me.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Wayne (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) on 05/13/2006
 ★★★★★

John wrote that taking Apple Cider Vinegar has caused his hair to grow. I had heard this from one other person about a year ago. In their case they massaged it into their scalp. I'd be interested in hearing testimonials from others out there who have had similar, positive experiences. I have just begun taking ACV orally for weight loss - am I soon going to have a full head of hair again?

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by John (Hesperia, CA) on 04/26/2006
 ★★★★★

I took Apple Cider to dissolve Gallbladder and kidney stones. I stopped getting kidney infections and can take vitamins again; I had to stop taking vitamins because it increased kidney discomfort. It appears as a side effect that my hair is growing back on my head.



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