My Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Journey: Why I Ditched Shampoo (and How It Actually Worked)

thecrazyvinegarlad
13 minutes ago
3 min read

Recently I asked my husband how my hair looked and he’s like, well it’s nice but it’s not as shiny and soft. It looks dull and dry. Um the audacity! But actually, he was right! I hadn’t used my apple cider vinegar hair rinse in several weeks and on top of it I bought a shampoo that was rated a 50 on the yuka app. Which gave me body acne and sores all over my scalp. HINT HINT-- is this happening to you? When I started the apple cider vinegar journey it was time to dive into the no-poo method.

After seeing how apple cider vinegar (ACV) transformed my skin—seriously, it left me glowing and fresh—I wondered: What could it do for my hair?

I’d heard for years that ACV is a hair miracle. Stylists would tell me things like:

“It closes the hair cuticle and makes it shiny!”
“It helps balance scalp pH!”
“It’s great for color-treated hair!”

And let me tell you, my hair needed some love. Even though it’s been bleached blonde for over seven years and now dying it back close to my original, it’s surprisingly healthy. It’s fine but thick enough to make my hairstylist give me that here we go look every time she reaches for the blow dryer.

But I realized my regular shampoo and conditioner weren’t helping. They stripped my scalp, which then overproduced oil, leaving me in a constant cycle of wash, grease, repeat.

So I decided to try the no-poo method—cutting out traditional shampoos and conditioners in favor of simpler, cleaner alternatives.

The First Wash: ACV Rinse Magic

My first ACV rinse was incredible. My hair was unbelievably soft, shiny, and tangle-free. It felt weightless and clean in a way my usual products never delivered.

I felt like I’d unlocked the secret to perfect hair. I imagined telling friends, “Oh, I don’t use shampoo anymore—I just rinse with apple cider vinegar!”

But then came… the greasy phase.

The Transition Struggle Is Real

After about a week, my hair got oily. Really oily. Picture Gollum in Lord of the Rings. My scalp went into overdrive, pumping out oil like it was being paid for it.

I nearly gave up and ran back to shampoo.

But I learned this is completely normal. When you stop using shampoo, your scalp doesn’t get the memo right away. It’s been trained to overproduce oil because shampoo strips it so aggressively. Without that stripping, your scalp just keeps churning out oil until it learns to rebalance.

Depending on your hair type, this “grease phase” can last a few weeks to a couple of months. Curly and thick hair often hides it better, while fine, straight hair can look extra slick for a while.

How I Survived the Greasy Phase

Honestly? I had to get creative:

Messy buns became my signature style.
Headbands and beanies hid everything.
Patience was key.

I reminded myself: This is just a phase. My scalp is relearning how to behave.

And it worked. By around week three, my hair felt balanced, soft, and healthier than before.

Why Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Hair

ACV isn’t just a crunchy alternative to conditioner—it actually has science behind it.

It has a low pH (around 3), helping to close the hair cuticle, which reduces frizz and boosts shine.
It balances the scalp’s natural acidity, helping prevent dandruff and irritation.
It can remove product buildup without harsh detergents.
It’s gentle, making it perfect for color-treated hair that’s already been through chemical processing.

How to Get Started with ACV for Hair

You don’t have to go full no-poo right away. You can ease in. Here’s how:

✅ Simple ACV Rinse (easy version):

Mix 1–2 tbsp ACV with 1 cup water in a spray bottle.
After shampooing (or just rinsing with water), spray mid-length to ends.
Leave for 1–2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Do this 1–2 times a week.

✅ No-Poo Method (deep clean start):

To help strip buildup the first time, wet your hair and sprinkle baking soda at the roots.
Massage gently, then rinse really well.
Follow with the ACV rinse, focusing on mid-length to ends.
Rinse again thoroughly.

✅ Tips for Surviving the Grease Phase:

Boar bristle brushes help distribute oils down the hair shaft.
Water-only rinses can help between ACV rinses.
Wear your hair up or accessorize while it adjusts.

Final Thoughts

Switching to ACV isn’t just a hair trend—it’s a way to work with your hair and scalp, not against them.

It takes patience, but if you stick with it, you can break free from harsh shampoos and embrace hair that’s naturally balanced, soft, and healthy.

If my hair—bleached for years—can thrive with ACV, yours can too.

If you'd like, I can also help make an even shorter version, or help you style this as a social media post or email.