Is the latest viral trend in hair care a miracle or a mixology mishap? No doubt it’s the odd couple of hair care, but mixing vodka with shampoo has clearly become a thing. The question is, a good thing? Or a bad thing? And the answer is yes. And no.
On the positive side, vodka has astringent properties that can help remove product buildup, excess oil, and impurities from the scalp and hair. That makes it an effective clarifying agent—particularly for those who use a lot of styling products or have oily hair.
In moderation, the alcohol in vodka can help tighten the hair cuticles, which allows light to reflect off the hair more effectively. And that makes for a smoother, shinier appearance.
And vodka’s antiseptic properties can potentially benefit the scalp by reducing dandruff and other scalp conditions caused by bacteria or fungi. A healthier scalp environment helps alleviate itching and flakiness.
End of story? Not so fast.
Alcohol is a drying agent. So using vodka in shampoo can potentially dry out the hair and scalp. Regular use can strip the hair of its natural oils and lead to dryness, brittleness, even hair breakage. Obviously that’s not good, especially for those with already dry or damaged hair.
Also, vodka’s strong alcohol content can cause redness, itching, irritation and inflammation. Not a good thing, especially for those with sensitive skin or scalp conditions. It's also important to keep in mind that you should never apply undiluted vodka to your hair or your scalp.
And finally, overuse of vodka can result in damage to the hair shaft. The alcohol can weaken the hair's protein structure and lead to increased susceptibility to breakage and split ends.
In short, vodka’s clarifying properties can enhance shine and promote scalp health. On the other hand, it poses significant risks of dryness, scalp irritation, and hair damage—especially with frequent use.
The bottom line? If you want to walk on the wild side, use vodka in moderation. Or (hint, hint) play it safe. Choose a gentle, deep cleaning and nourishing shampoo and conditioner set like HiBAR’s solid, soap-Free Maintain Bars.
And save your vodka for a nice, crisp appletini.
