Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has many uses as a home remedy. One of these is as a locs wash to improve scalp health, strengthen hair, and enhance shine. An acv rinse for locs is a cheap, easy, and effective hair treatment for cleaner and healthier locs! ACV contains nutrients (vitamins B, C, and potassium), which are beneficial for locs. Often, harsh soaps and shampoos can strip locs of its natural oils. ACV counteracts that process and actually balances locs’s natural pH levels. When used regularly in your loc care routine, ACV can revitalize your locs, leaving it soft and smooth.
Do you have locs and suffer from an itchy scalp or do your locs feel dry or brittle at times? Locs are like a sponge to the outside elements – dirt, lint, smoke smells, you name it, your locs can take it in. ACV rinse for locs is great for lifting out this buildup, cleansing the scalp and restoring the natural moisture (pH) level in locs.
It’s important not to over wash locs. While locs can be more prone to odors and buildup than loose hair, but over-washing locs can dry out your scalp and create flaking, itchiness, breakage, and even thinning locks. It is also important not to overload your locs with oils or products. Locs are made of matted hair and vulnerable to buildup if you add too much products of any kind. Doing an ACV rinse for locs can help keep your scalp healthy. This rinse will leave your locs soft, conditioned, and will clarify product buildup from your scalp as well.
ACV Rinse Locs Benefits:
The benefits and science around ACV does deliver when it comes to loc care.
Balance PH
Dull, brittle, or frizzy locs tend to be more alkaline or higher on the pH scale. The acid in ACV helps lower pH and brings health back into balance for locs. ACV is naturally high in acetic acid and has a pH level that is close to that of human hair. Regularly rinsing locs with it help bring your scalp its ideal acidity, especially if you have an oily scalp or use heavy oils.
Cleans Scalp
Acv has very strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. This can help kill bacteria and fungus, common underlying causes of issues like dandruff and hair loss. By using an ACV rinse for locs you can maintain the natural pH of your scalp, preventing the growth of fungus and bacteria that cause these issues.
Reduce Frizz
While the texture of your hair plays a vital role in the amount of frizz you experience with locs, science and ACV can also help get rid of frizzy locs. Frizzy hair is also caused by lifted cuticles on the hair. Having the correct ph balance seals the hair cuticles making locs look more smooth and even shiny. An ACV rinse for locs will balance the ph of the hair closing the cuticle.
Reduce Porosity of Locs
When it comes to hair, knowing your porosity is important. Normal porosity hair allows necessary amounts of moisture to penetrate the outer cuticle and keeps hair moisturized, while high porosity hair absorbs liquid quickly and loses it just as quickly. High porosity can be the result of damage to the hair from chemical treatments, environmental exposure, and sometimes genetics. It is extremely important to know how to care for high porosity hair and an ACV rinse for locs is a great start. While ACV can’t change the porosity of your hair, it can help flatten the cuticle and minimize gaps. Preventing the loss of moisture in your locs, keeping them moisturized and healthy.
Increased Growth
Locs are one of the easiest, most care free hairstyles there is. Similar to plants, locs will sprout and continue to grow with very little help. But if you are looking for a way to increase it’s speed an ACV rise for locs can help. ACV stimulates blood circulation from the scalp to the hair follicles. This is important for encouraging hair growth and preventing hair loss. Improving the circulation of blood flow on the scalp is also helpful because blood carries essential nutrients to the hair follicle cells, strengthening the roots and promoting growth.
ACV Rinse Locs – Choosing The Right Vinegar
There are many ACV brands in supermarkets and health stores. However, not all of these contain health and beauty benefits for locs we shared above. Purchase only those apple cider vinegars that are labeled organic, raw and unfiltered. These vinegars tend to be cloudy, and have a sediment in the bottom, known as ‘The Mother’ – which contains all the bacteria and enzymes that make ACV so powerful.
The Best ACV Rinse for Locs
Using ACV for locs is a great DIY because you only need two ingredients: apple cider vinegar and water. Using this at-home mixture will improve loc breakage and thinning, balance the pH level of your scalp and breathe new life into dull locs.
Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinegar
Water
Spray bottle or applicator bottle (optional)
Process
Mix a few tablespoons of the vinegar with water to dilute the vinegar and create a enough solution you can pour on your hair. The amount of water and ACV needed will vary depending on the length of your locs. Be sure to dilute the ACV with a good amount of water because ACV is pretty acidic. The water should have a light, brownish, tint to it. A good rule to start is using a 1-3 ratio. (1 tbsp of ACV to 3 tbsp of water)
Dampen your locs before you begin. An ACV rinse is easiest to apply to locs using a spray bottle or an applicator. Apply throughout damp, from roots to ends. Take care not to get apple cider vinegar in the eyes. (soaking in sink is another option shown in above video)
Massage your scalp to stimulate blood circulation and to help with exfoliation. Let it rest for a few minutes.
Rinse out thoroughly until ACV smell is no longer present. The smell should also go away quickly after rinsing.
ACV Rinse Locs – How Often?
It’s very important tp pay close attention to how the treatment affects your locs. Because it is a completely natural treatment you could do it as often as once a week, or once every several months. It is recommended starting out by doing the treatment once a month, and adjusting the frequency to what feels best for your locs.
Using ACV is all about bringing hair back into balance. As with most things in life, it can be overdone. If your locs or scalp issues worsen instead, discontinue using ACV. Or, try lowering the amount you put into a rinse, or even the frequency you use it.Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acids that may irritate or burn the skin. It’s important to always dilute ACV well before application.
Everyone’s hair is different. ACV rinse locs may not work for everyone. The best way to know if it’s beneficial for you is to add it into your hair care routine, pay close attention before and after use, and see if it works for you personally.