Our experts agree that apple cider vinegar is safe for all hair types, including color-treated tresses. It's especially beneficial for those with major product buildup, whether that's from hairsprays, dry shampoo, braids, or excess grease.
Not only will a dose of apple cider vinegar help gently lighten hair, it will also dissolve oil and residue buildup in your hair and on your scalp, promoting growth. Plus, apple cider vinegar helps detangle and defrizz your hair. All around, it's a hair care winner.
Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage. Rinse your hair in a solution of warm water and one or more of these lightening agents, then sit in the sun to dry.
Word on the street is masking with straight vinegar (or vinegar mixed with lemon) over the course of several months has the potential to lighten hair up to two or three shades. Masking with honey might also do the trick—there's some hydrogen peroxide in the honey that can lightly bleach hair while it oxidizes.
Vlogger Sarah Williams claims that plain vinegar and honey can lighten hair in as little as 10 minutes. You can even apply this solution at night and sleep your way to natural highlights.
First, you can try mixing lemon juice and water with a ratio of two tablespoons of lemon juice to one cup of water. Place the mixture in a spray bottle, apply to hair and let dry in the sun. For overnight effects, once your hair is dry, wrap it up and sleep with the solution in your hair overnight.
Apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar are easy and cheap options for lightening your hair. Rinse your hair in vinegar and then rinse it again in cold water to lift color and revitalize dull strands. Top with a gloss or conditioner to seal in moisture—this is crucial if you've had a bleach mishap before.
Science supports the use of apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse. It could help strengthen hair and improve luster by lowering hair and scalp pH. It may also keep pesky scalp infections and itchiness at bay.
Washing hair with apple cider vinegar: side effects
Improper use of vinegar can cause our scalp to become dry and irritated, altering the skin PH and weakening follicles, which - if we have hair problems - would only make situation worse.
You can also leave it in your hair overnight! If you leave it in, it will help prevent tangles. Since it restores your scalp's pH level, it will also help and prevent an itchy scalp.
Hydrogen peroxide and dyes containing it are a safe way to lighten your hair. However, it's best used in a salon to minimize hair damage and ensure you get the right color.
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water, and use it as a rinse once a month (after you shampoo and before you condition your strands) to gradually brighten your color. Baking soda is an alkaline ingredient, and this will lift the cuticle of your hair, the part that protects your hue.
Cinnamon alone may lighten hair. You'll find this ingredient added to various other DIY hair “bleaching” recipes, but you may try using this ingredient on its own to achieve highlights and overall lightening.
Not only does bleach process faster on wet hair, but the goal is to create a subtle color change. The bleach doesn't need to stay on your hair for a long time.
Can toothpaste bleach your hair? Yes, leaving toothpaste on your hair long enough may bleach your hair, but that doesn't mean you should try it. Even if whitening toothpaste can “bleach” or lighten hair on your skin and on your body, the result will be somewhat unpredictable.
Baking soda can also lighten hair that isn't dyed, but not when it's used by itself. To lighten nondyed hair, you have to use baking soda as a base with hydrogen peroxide. This is a bleaching agent that lightens hair.
How long does it take for hydrogen peroxide to lighten hair? Leave the hydrogen peroxide in your hair for about 30 minutes. Depending on how dark your hair is, how light you want it, and how much irritation the chemical may cause, you'll want to experiment and play around with it.
2) Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse:
Another option is to mix a bit of apple cider vinegar into a dollop of shampoo. This clears build up from environmental toxins and hair products. It also seals the hair cuticle, making your grays silky, shiny and frizz-free.
If your hair tends to be dry, you may want to use the rinse less often; if your hair and scalp are more on the oily side, you may want to do it more frequently. Generally speaking, though, you'll want to rinse your hair with an apple cider vinegar solution a couple times a week.
Know that natural washes are fine
In fact, according to Davis, apple cider vinegar (as long as it's diluted with water) can help you “remove stubborn hair products, deep clean your hair and scalp, and even reduce mild scalp inflammation caused by dandruff.”
White vinegar is also missing many of the nourishing vitamins and minerals that we get with apple cider vinegar. Our verdict? White vinegar works in a pinch, but apple cider vinegar hair-care products and rinses offer the most benefit for your hair and scalp.
An apple cider vinegar rinse should be used after shampooing and before conditioner.