Will apple cider vinegar lighten my hair?

Author: Miss Stefanie Stiedemann Sr.  |  Last update: Friday, November 28, 2025

Apple cider vinegar is known for its ability to restore the hair's natural pH balance. When used as a rinse, it helps to gently strip away excess dye and product buildup, which can contribute to lightening the hair color over time.

How long do you leave apple cider vinegar in your hair to lighten it?

Dilution: Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Application: Apply the mixture to your hair, focusing on the dyed areas. Wait: Let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with water. Hair Health: ACV can be drying, so it's important to follow up with a good conditioner.

Does apple cider vinegar change your hair color?

Vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar, has a low pH, which can open the hair cuticle. This allows color molecules to escape more easily, leading to quicker fading of hair dye. Additionally, vinegar can strip away product buildup and natural oils, which may also contribute to color loss.

How can I lighten my hair fast?

Lemon juice, diluted half and half with distilled water, will lighten dark blond or light brown hair and won't leave reddish tones unless your hair already has them. Vinegar, peroxide, honey and olive oil will also help to lighten your hair as per your desire naturally. Hope it will help out!

What happens if you put straight apple cider vinegar in your hair?

According to Friese, ACV smooths and seals the hair cuticle, making it ideal for reaching high-shine levels. It is thought that the enzymes from the fermented apple close and smooth the hair cuticle, the protective layer that locks in vital lipids, proteins, and moisture.

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What are the side effects of apple cider vinegar on hair?

Washing hair with apple cider vinegar side effects

Dryness and Brittleness: Overuse can strip natural oils from the hair, leading to dryness. Hair Color Fading: ACV may lighten hair slightly over time, especially if used frequently. Strong Odor: The vinegar smell can linger in the hair if not rinsed thoroughly.

How to make your hair blonder overnight without bleach?

Combine a fourth cup of strong chamomile tea with one fourth cup apple cider vinegar and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spray the mixture to saturate your hair, let dry, and leave in overnight. This hack can also be used in the sun to increase its lightening effects.

Will Dawn dish soap lighten dyed hair?

Dish Soap

Fortunately, if you go through the effort of using this drying soap on your dyed hair, it can help remove unwanted color. You'll need to do many washes to fade it out, but it is a step in the right direction if you want to remove a color.

How to fade hair dye quickly?

Quick and Easy Ways to Remove Hair Dye
  1. Use a clarifying shampoo.
  2. Make a paste with baking soda.
  3. Vinegar rinse.
  4. Lemon juice rinse.
  5. Hydrogen peroxide.
  6. Vitamin C tablets.
  7. Olive oil treatment.
  8. Cinnamon and honey mask.

What does apple cider vinegar do for gray hair?

In this article, we have walked you through the causes of yellowing gray hair and the best natural remedy for the same. Apple cider vinegar is a natural cleanser and it restores the lost lustre of your hair by clarifying buildup. Apart from being an effective cleanse, it balances the pH levels of your hair and scalp.

Does baking soda and apple cider vinegar lighten hair?

If your hair dye is too dark, you can use a clarifying shampoo or a color remover to lighten it. Home remedies like baking soda and lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can also help. For significant color correction, visiting a professional stylist is recommended.

Does honey lighten hair?

When honey is diluted with water, the enzyme can produce about 1 milimole of peroxide per liter which is about 1,000 times less than the 3% solution required to bleach hair. In simpler terms, this is far too little to have a significant effect on your hair.

Will apple cider vinegar strip hair color?

Diluted apple cider vinegar alone may remove build-up but it can also strip your hair color and leave a lingering smell. Our formula is perfectly balanced to offer all the benefits of diluted Apple Cider Vinegar without its downsides. Our ACV Hair Rinse is color safe and is conditioning for your hair and scalp.

What is the best vinegar for lightening hair?

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Along with gently removing product buildup and excess oil from your scalp, ACV can also help lighten your hair (especially if your natural highlights are on the warmer side).

How to make your hair darker overnight?

The onion rinse can make the hair darker up to several tones. You will need two handfuls of onion shells and three cups of water – cook all ingredients on low heat for half an hour, leave overnight, drain and use to rinse your hair.

How can I lighten permanent hair dye quickly?

How to Lighten Hair Dyed Too Dark with a DIY Approach
  1. Use a paste of Baking Soda and Lemon Juice.
  2. Wash your Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar.
  3. Take some Vitamin C Tablets.
  4. Wash Hair With Clarifying Shampoo.
  5. Use Purple or Blue Shampoo for Brassy Tones.
  6. Do a Bleach Bath.
  7. Bleed the Color Out.
  8. Use Hair Lightener or Toner.

What happens if you put Dawn in your hair?

“Dawn dish soap has a high pH level so it opens the hair cuticle, allowing color molecules to be washed away and can, therefore, be used to remove or lighten hair color on your hair,” licensed cosmetologist Laura Dale told Stylecraze.com while reviewing the trend.

Does Toothpaste lighten hair dye?

Despite the presence of hydrogen peroxide, dousing your strands in toothpaste isn't a proven method of lightening hair.

How do you lighten your hair with apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar, chamomile tea, and lemon: Combining one-fourth of a cup of strongly brewed chamomile tea with one-fourth of a cup of apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons of lemon can help lighten the hair. This may be left on all day, and sun exposure further helps the lightening process.

What is the most gentle way to lighten your hair?

Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.

What happens if you put too much apple cider vinegar in your hair?

Depending on how your hair and skin react, you may gradually increase the strength over time. Don't overdo it; too much can cause skin problems, hair brassiness and even skin burns.

What does washing hair with baking soda do?

Summary. Baking soda as part of your hair care routine might allow you to replace commercial shampoos. People report that baking soda dissolved in water can remove excess oil and buildup in hair, restore pH levels, treat dryness and dandruff, and lighten dyed hair.

Who should avoid apple cider vinegar?

If you have low potassium levels (hypokalemia), too much ACV could make the condition worse. That's because large amounts can reduce potassium levels. Avoid overusing ACV if you have kidney disease, since your kidneys might not be able to handle high levels of acid.

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