Do this for softer hair!

Something I've noticed in the last couple of years is that my hair is not what it used to be. I used to have loads of thick, long hair, and now it seems much thinner and less full around my hairline. I'm taking a couple of different approaches to try and improve the situation - watch this space because I will of course be reporting back - but one of the things I've been trying is an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse, which you can see in the lovely bike bottle below.

Whilst this is clearly quite a superficial measure - in the sense that it doesn't address any deeper imbalances - it really has made my hair a lot softer. So much so that I went to meet a friend for breakfast straight after the first time I tried it and I made her stroke my hair... The picture on the left is my hair after I washed it without the rinse, and on the right I've done everything the same, plus the ACV rinse. Trust me when I say it's softer!

To have healthy hair, it's essential to have a healthy scalp. Think of your scalp as the soil and your hair as the plant; if there aren't enough nutrients going to the soil or if the soil is poor quality, the plant can't thrive.

Those of us who live in London have to contend with very hard water. Hard water is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium, so it can actually be beneficial health-wise, but it can wreak havoc hair-wise. Studies have shown hard water weakens your hair, which increases breakage, and it can also reduce its thickness and make your hair feel and look more rough. As the minerals build up on your scalp, it can block the hair follicles, leading to an itchy scalp and poorly nourished hair. Hard water affects our 'soil' as well as our 'plants'!

This is my kettle which was brand new 4 months ago. Look at the limescale buildup from the hard water! Although we can't see it in the same way, the buildup of minerals can create a film over the scalp and hair which makes it very difficult for moisture to penetrate, leaving it flat and lifeless. It also means you hair can get more greasy more quickly. Look at your kettle and then think about your scalp!

How ACV can help

1. Its acetic acid content can breakdown the buildup of oil, dead skin cells and excess mineral content on your scalp which makes your hair softer, shinier and cleaner

2. It's antimicrobial so it can help to create a more healthy scalp microbiome, which leads to healthier hair and less dandruff

3. It rebalances the pH of the scalp and hair, making it more acidic, as it naturally should be. Many hair products make it more alkaline, which means it can look dull or dry

How to use it

1. Ideally you want to use a squeezy bottle with a sports cap, like a water bottle, but if you don't have one handy any large receptacle will do. A pint glass or large jam jar would work

2. Add 1 part ACV (look for one which is organic and contains 'the mother' - I use the Aspall one below as it's very reasonable and easy to find) and 5 parts water. Bottled water is best if you live in a hard water area of course, but tap water is better than nothing

3. Shake it up and then bring it into the shower with you

4. Wash your hair with shampoo as normal

5. Gently pour the ACV mixture all over your scalp and hair, massaging it in everywhere

6. Leave for 3-5 mins so it really gets a chance to work its magic

7. Rinse and follow with conditioner as usual

Do this once a week and see how you get on.

I'd love to know how soft your hair gets, so please do send me a message if you try it :)