Summer gives us sunshine, pool days, and plenty of protective styles—but it can also leave our scalp and strands feeling stressed. Once the season shifts, many women notice something unexpected: more hair shedding than usual. Don’t panic—this type of seasonal shedding is common. But with the right scalp care, you can help your follicles recover and set your hair up for growth and strength in the months ahead.
One of the best ways to reset? A simple but powerful Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinse. Not only does ACV clarify your scalp, but it also restores balance and supports overall hair health. Let’s break down why shedding happens after summer—and how GIRL+HAIR’s CLEAR+ Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse can help.
Why Does Hair Shed More After Summer?
Shedding is part of the natural hair cycle, but summer stressors can make it feel like your strands are falling faster than usual. Here’s why:
Seasonal Shedding Explained
As seasons change, your body (including your scalp) adjusts to shifts in temperature and daylight. Many women notice more shedding in late summer and early fall as follicles transition into their resting phase.
Sun, Sweat, and Saltwater Effects
Summer fun comes with scalp challenges. UV rays weaken strands, chlorine strips natural oils, and saltwater dehydrates both hair and scalp. Add in sweat from hot days, and you’re left with buildup that can clog follicles and make shedding more noticeable.
Protective Styles & Tension
Braids, twists, and weaves are perfect for summer, but if they’re too tight or left in too long, they can put stress on fragile areas like your edges. Once you take styles down, the shed hair that’s been held in place is released all at once—making shedding look more dramatic.
How an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Supports a Healthy Scalp
Apple Cider Vinegar isn’t just a kitchen staple—it’s a scalp savior. Here’s why it’s especially effective after summer:
Clarifies Buildup
Apple Cider Vinegar breaks down residue from sunscreen, sweat, chlorine, and heavy products. This helps unclog hair follicles and gives your scalp a fresh start.
Balances Scalp pH
A healthy scalp has a slightly acidic pH. Sun, chlorine, and harsh shampoos can throw this off, leading to dryness, itching, and flakes. Apple Cider Vinegar helps restore balance, keeping your scalp environment in check.
Boosts Follicle Health
Thanks to its natural antimicrobial properties, Apple Cider Vinegar helps keep scalp irritation and bacteria at bay—so your follicles can focus on growing healthy strands, not fighting off buildup.
Step-by-Step: Using an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse for Post-Summer Recovery
Ready to give your scalp a much-needed reset? Here’s how to properly use an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse in your wash day routine—and why each step matters for reducing seasonal shedding.
Start on damp hair. Before applying Apple Cider Vinegar clarifying rinse, wet your hair and scalp with lukewarm water. This helps loosen dirt, sweat, and product residue, allowing the rinse to penetrate more effectively. Think of it as “opening the door” for a deeper clean.
Apply directly to the scalp. Using a pointed applicator bottle makes all the difference. With GIRL+HAIR’s CLEAR+ Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse, you can easily target your scalp—even if you’re wearing braids, twists, or a sew-in. Applying directly ensures that buildup is removed at the root, where shedding often starts.
Massage gently. Take 2–3 minutes to massage your scalp in circular motions. This isn’t just about spreading the rinse evenly—scalp massages increase blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. Better circulation = healthier follicles = less shedding.
Rinse thoroughly. Flush out the rinse with lukewarm water to remove buildup without stripping your scalp of its natural oils. Avoid hot water, which can cause dryness and irritation, especially if your scalp is already stressed from summer.
Follow with conditioner. After clarifying, your hair craves moisture. Apply a hydrating conditioner or deep treatment to replenish softness and elasticity. We recommend GIRL+HAIR’s NOURISH+ Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner. This step is key to preventing breakage, since dry strands are more likely to snap and make shedding appear worse.
Seal in moisture. Use a lightweight oil, such as rosemary or pumpkin seed, to lock in hydration and stimulate follicles. We recommend GIRL+HAIR’s Hair Strengthening Rosemary Hair Oil.
Other Tips to Reduce Seasonal Shedding
ACV is a great first step, but pairing it with consistent hair care practices will help minimize shedding even more:
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Stick to regular wash days. Cleansing once a week keeps buildup from suffocating your follicles.
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Deep condition weekly. Restore hydration lost from sun, saltwater, and chlorine to keep strands strong.
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Massage with scalp oils. Rosemary and pumpkin seed oil are proven to encourage blood flow and support growth.
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Protect your edges. Choose looser installs and give your hairline breaks between protective styles.
The Bottom Line
Seasonal shedding is normal—but it doesn’t have to derail your hair goals. By clarifying your scalp and restoring balance, an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse helps create the ideal foundation for healthy growth.
Make GIRL+HAIR’s CLEAR+ Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse your go-to post-summer reset. Your scalp will feel refreshed, your strands will thrive, and you’ll step into fall with confidence and healthy, happy hair.
Ready to reset your scalp? Try GIRL+HAIR’s CLEAR+ ACV Rinse today and give your hair the TLC it deserves.