How does vinegar affect hair?
Vinegar is an active component with an acidic pH, making it an excellent ingredient for removing the build-up of limescale from hard water. Upon contact, it seals the hair shaft's cuticles so the hair shaft is left nicely smoothed.
Vinegar's powerhouse properties have been recognised for donkey's years: Hippocrates recommended it for treating certain diseases, and over time its use as a haircare treatment has spread across the globe.
Why apply a vinegar-based treatment to dyed hair?
Vinegar is great for all hair, but it works particularly well on dyed hair. Here's why you should include it in your haircare routine.
To fix your colour for a longer-lasting effect
Chemical dyes contain substances that open the hair shaft's cuticles to eliminate the hair's natural pigments and replace them with artificial ones.
When dyed hair is exposed to aggressive external elements, such as hot shower or bath water, a hair dryer and sunlight, these already weakened cuticles can't properly seal themselves. A dye's pigments will seep out, and the colour will lose its vibrant tones and shine. Vinegar seals the hair shaft's cuticles and provides a waterproof coating. The pigments remain well-fixed inside the hair shaft and the colour retains its intensity.
Getting your shiny hair back
By smoothing the cuticles, vinegar brings back the hair's gorgeous shine. Indeed, our hair's cuticles dictate how good our hair looks: sealed cuticles give the hair shaft a healthy, shiny appearance.
Getting rid of frizz
Ever noticed how your hair turns into a frizzy mess during damp or wet weather? This is because the hair shaft's cuticles open to absorb the surrounding moisture and hydrate the hair shaft.
To make matters worse, dyed hair is more prone to frizz as the chemical dyeing process harms the hair shaft. So by applying a vinegar-based treatment that seals and smoothes the cuticles, your hair will retain its silky appearance.
What type of vinegar should you use?
The benefits of applying vinegar to hair have been known for a long time. But this doesn't mean you should rush into the kitchen and grab the nearest bottle, as some types of vinegar work better than others.
- ORGANIC apple cider vinegar: a favourite ingredient in natural hair treatments, apple cider vinegar is milder than white vinegar, making it more suitable for haircare. Cooking apart, this vinegar can be used for all sorts of homemade treatments.
- ORGANIC Acerola Vinegar: dyed hair loves ORGANIC Acerola Vinegar. It has an acidic pH, and has 30 times more vitamin C than oranges. It also provides an antioxidant action that prevents pigments from oxidising. You'll find this active ingredient in specialist haircare products.
How should you use it for dyed hair?
Vinegar can dry out hair if applied directly. Your best option is to go for a professionally formulated treatment that combines vinegar and moisturising active ingredients.
Repairing Mask
Hair masks that contain vinegar - particularly ORGANIC Acerola vinegar - are perfect for ensuring dyed hair keeps its shine. Masks repair hair on a deeper level to restore its natural radiance.
Styling cream
Applying a heat-protection styling cream is essential to keep your coloured locks in great shape. This protective treatment means you can do your usual blow-dry without damaging hair that has been weakened by the dyeing process. By protecting your locks with a vinegar-based product, you'll get a shiny, frizz-free finish no matter what heated appliance you use!
Will vinegar-based products make my hair smell?
No! The vinegar used in haircare products will not make your hair smell like a salad dressing! On the contrary, products for dyed hair that contain ORGANIC Acerola vinegar usually have a lovely floral scent.
If you're using a homemade recipe, you'll probably get a whiff of vinegar when you apply it, but this will disappear as your hair dries.
