Leah Marie
Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
Dr Adeela( General Practitioner with valid DHA, MRCP )
Dr Adeela Anees is a General Practioner of Medicine with a valid DHA, MRCP. She has a MD in Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland. She’s had considerable experience in dealing with issues like Thyroid problems, Hypertension and Respiratory illnesses. Dr Anees’ is excellent at curating health plans for individuals to help them get the best results.
Is Using Baking Soda And Vinegar For Gray Hair Good? Find out in my article below if this home remedy for brightening greys works or not.
Getting rid of gray hair has long been an age-old desire.
I have tried dyes, powders, and even going for the drastic shave, but could it be that a few ingredients from the pantry are all I needed?
In recent years, more and more people are turning to a more natural approach — baking soda and vinegar — as a way to combat gray hair.
So just what are the potential effects of this blend, and more importantly, is it actually a good idea to use it?
In this article I will take a closer look at the benefits and drawbacks of using baking soda and vinegar on gray hair to determine whether it is a good choice for those looking to restore their locks to their former glory.
Is Using Baking Soda And Vinegar For Gray Hair Good
When it comes to treating our gray hair, just about everyone has heard of the phrase ”baking soda and vinegar”. So we asked out resident Medical Expert Dr Adeela Anees what the truth is about this homemade hack for toning grey hair.
I asked Dr Anees, about this treatment that’s been touted as a wonder treatment for gray hair, but does it actually work? Is using baking soda and vinegar for gray hair really a good idea?
According to Dr Adeela Anees, the answer is complex. She says “While it is true that baking soda and vinegar can condition your hair and restore a certain amount of its brightness, it’s also important to understand that gray hair is caused by a depletion of melanin, which is already present in the hair”.
She adds “So while adding some baking soda and vinegar to your hair can provide a temporary brightening effect, it may not actually help with the graying of your hair in the long run.“
Moreover, it is also important to note that using baking soda and vinegar for gray hair may cause damage largely depending on the type of hair you have and the amount of baking soda and vinegar that you use.
It’s also important to research any potential adverse effects that might occur before using baking soda and vinegar for hair care.
In conclusion, using baking soda and vinegar for gray hair may provide some temporary brightening effects. However, it’s important to recognize that baking soda and vinegar alone are unlikely to solve the root cause of the problem on their own, and can potentially cause damage. If you’re considering using baking soda and vinegar for gray hair, it’s best to do your research and speak with a professional before doing so.
Benefits Of Washing Grey Hair With Baking Soda
Using baking soda and vinegar to wash grey hair has some great benefits to help enhance your precious locks.
Because of its natural properties, baking soda can help restore volume and shine to those grey tresses whilst protecting them from the elements. Plus, the pH balance of vinegar helps to keep your hair hydrated, healthy and vibrant.
Aside from health benefits, one of the main advantages of using baking soda and vinegar for grey hair is that it can help enhance the vibrancy of your hair color.
Instead of settling for dull, lackluster grey hair, you can add luster and life with this natural mixture. It also helps to tighten the cuticles, providing extra strength and protecting them from damage.
In addition, using baking soda and vinegar to clean grey hair can help nourish it. The baking soda can help draw out the oils and dirt to bring out the natural shine while the vinegar works its magic to boost your natural pH levels.
This healthy combination of ingredients helps to stimulate oxygen flow to the scalp, allowing your hair to grow faster and stronger.
This natural mixture is effective, gentle and easy to use. All you need is a couple of tablespoons mixed with a bit of lukewarm water and you have yourself a powerful wash.
With consistent use, you can be sure to enjoy plenty of benefits from using baking soda and vinegar for grey hair.
Related: How To Enhance Natural Grey Hair
How Long Can I Leave Baking Soda And Vinegar On Hair
When using baking soda or vinegar on gray hair for whitening or gray reduction, it’s important to know how long to leave the mixture on your hair.
Allowing the baking soda and vinegar mixture to sit on your hair too long may cause damage to your hair, so be mindful of how much time you are spending with it.
Generally, it’s best to allow the solution to remain on your hair for a maximum of 10 minutes.
Though this may vary on your specific hair type and the ingredients in the mixture you plan to use. If you have processed hair, use caution and limit the time to five minutes.
Generally, a baking soda and vinegar mix should be removed after 10 minutes at most.
To avoid causing damage, be especially careful with the ingredients you use and what amount of each ingredient you add to the mix. If you plan on using the mix for multiple coloring applications, use a lesser amount of each ingredient.
When using baking soda and vinegar to reduce gray hairs, be sure to keep it on your hair for as long as the instructions allow and no longer.
Following the instructions carefully will help you get the best results for your hair with fewer chances of damage. As long as you don’t leave it on your hair for too long, the baking soda and vinegar mixture should work wonders for your hair!
Did my hair!!! You may be asking what does that entail? Well:
— David White (@davidwhite994) June 1, 2020
1- soak hair in apple cider vinegar, baking soda and soap.
2- wash hair
3- re-twist the base of each loc.
4- crochet and palm roll each loc
5- shave sides of head
6- finally hair dye wax#locs #hairstyles #hairdye pic.twitter.com/oKk25mX3JG
Can Using Baking Soda Damage Grey Hair
Using baking soda and vinegar on your gray hair can be a bit of a double-edged sword. Yes, it’s a safe, natural way to try and bring back your natural hair color, but it could also cause some damage if your hair is particularly delicate.
Using baking soda on your hair is essentially gently bleaching it, removing any natural color and leaving your hair looking faded or ashen.
This kind of lightening can be really damaging to grey hair, especially if it’s already dry or fragile. It’s possible to strip your hair of its natural oils, cause split ends and breakage, and generally damage the structure of your hair.
Grey hair is often quite weak and delicate, so the bleaching effects of baking soda and vinegar can be particularly damaging for it.
If you do decide to try brightening your grey hair with baking soda, make sure to start with a small amount and assess the results.
If it’s too strong for your hair and causes damage, tone it down and experiment with less baking soda or use a vinegar with a smaller acidity.
Will Baking Soda And Vinegar Remove Yellowness From Hair
When you’re looking for a way to turn gray hair back to its natural color, you may want to consider using baking soda and vinegar.
The combination of these two ingredients is a popular way to naturally remove yellowing and dullness from the strands. However, it’s important to understand how the process works and if it truly is an effective option for fighting gray hair.
Baking soda is a natural cleanser and deodorizer and vinegar is an effective clarifier that lifts yellowing and dullness from hair.
When the two are combined, they have the potential to reduce or even completely remove yellowness from hair. It’s important to note that this method is only effective when used over a period of time.
One to two treatments done once a week will gradually reduce yellowing and restore the hair’s original color.
That said, there are some drawbacks to using baking soda and vinegar for removing yellowing.
The use of the mixture can be drying to the hair and scalp, so it’s important to make sure you use a good moisturizing conditioner after rinsing it out.
Additionally, the process doesn’t actually stop the formation of grays. It’s also recommended to combine use of the mixture with a quality color enhancer or toner.
Overall, using baking soda and vinegar can be a great natural method for removing yellowing and restoring a natural color to gray hair.
However, make sure to follow the tips above to ensure you maximize the effectiveness of the mixture and avoid any potential drawbacks that may come with it.
What Does Hydrogen Peroxide Do To Gray Hair
Hydrogen peroxide is a common chemical used to lighten gray hair and give it a more natural color.
It works by breaking down the natural pigment in the hair strands and fading the gray hue.
It is available in over the counter hair dyes and is also used as a cleaning agent in many household items. While it is an efficient way to lighten gray hair, it can come with certain risks.
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong chemical, meaning it can lead to irritation and dryness. It can also cause permanent damage to color treated hair strands over time.
Keeping your hair healthy should be the priority, so make sure to take good care when using this chemical.
Be sure to use the correct amount of peroxide, as too much can cause serious damage, and do a skin patch test to ensure your scalp doesn’t react adversely to the product.
Additionally, hydrogen peroxide can be drying, as it removes natural oils from your hair.
If you’re looking to use it regularly to lighten your hair, be sure to counterbalance the effect with a quality conditioner or mask.
This will help keep your hair healthy and hydrated after using hydrogen peroxide.
Overall, it’s important to be mindful when using hydrogen peroxide in order to protect your hair.
Despite the potential risks, it can be a useful tool to darken gray hair. Do your research and find out the best protocol for using hydrogen peroxide on your hair.
And remember to be gentle and patient – it can take time for the chemicals to take full effect.
FAQs about Home Remedies For Gray Hair
How to brighten salt and pepper hair using home remedies?
Brightening salt and pepper hair using home remedies can enhance the contrast between the gray and dark strands, giving your hair a more vibrant look. Here are some natural home remedies to try:
Lemon Juice Rinse: Lemon juice has natural bleaching properties that can lighten gray hair. Mix fresh lemon juice with water (1:1 ratio) and use it as a final rinse after shampooing your hair. Sit in the sun for a few minutes to enhance the lightening effect. Be cautious as lemon juice can dry out hair, so it’s essential to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner.
Chamomile Tea Rinse: Chamomile is known for its hair-lightening effects. Brew a strong cup of chamomile tea and let it cool down. After shampooing, use the tea as a hair rinse, leaving it on for a few minutes before rinsing out. Repeat this process regularly for gradual brightening.
Honey and Cinnamon Mask: Honey and cinnamon both have natural lightening properties. Create a paste by mixing honey and cinnamon powder. Apply the paste to damp hair and leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Perform a patch test before using this mask, as cinnamon can be irritating to some scalps.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: Apple cider vinegar can help remove product buildup and enhance shine, which can brighten salt and pepper hair. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water (1:1 ratio) and use it as a final rinse after shampooing. The vinegar smell will dissipate as your hair dries.
Coconut Oil and Vitamin E Mask: Mix coconut oil and vitamin E oil to create a nourishing mask. Apply it to your hair and leave it on for a few hours or overnight before shampooing. This will help moisturize and soften your hair, making it appear more vibrant.
Rosemary and Sage Infused Rinse: Rosemary and sage are known to enhance hair color and add shine. Create an infusion by steeping dried rosemary and sage in hot water for 30 minutes. Let it cool down, strain the herbs, and use the liquid as a hair rinse after shampooing.
Is baking soda abrasive on hair and will it remove hair color?
Yes, baking soda can be abrasive on hair and has the potential to remove hair color, especially if used incorrectly or excessively. Baking soda is alkaline and has a high pH, which can disrupt the natural pH balance of the scalp and hair, leading to dryness and damage. Here are some important points to consider.
Baking soda has a gritty texture, which, when used as a scrub or in high concentrations, can be abrasive on the hair and scalp. It may cause the hair cuticles to open up, leading to roughness and potential damage.
It also has alkaline properties can indeed help to fade hair color over time. It may strip away some of the artificial color molecules from the hair shaft, leading to color fading or uneven color. If you have colored hair, using baking soda is generally not recommended as it can cause premature color fading and may even result in unwanted brassy tones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using baking soda and vinegar for gray hair is a smart and natural approach for those looking for an inexpensive and safe option.
Ultimately, results can vary, but these ingredients have been known to cause positive impacts such as preventing premature greying and leaving hair shiny and soft.
When used consistently and correctly, you can proudly show off your grey hair in a healthy and beautiful style.
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.
Also Read:
Lightening purple hair color to lavender using natural methods
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair
How To Tone Down Blonde Hair That Is Too Bright?
To Summarize
