Actor Soha Ali Khan has opened up about a beauty experiment that went wrong, using her experience as a cautionary tale against blindly following viral DIY skincare and haircare trends.
Speaking on a recent episode of her podcast All About Her, Soha was joined by actor Kritika Kamra and celebrity hairstylist Yianni Tsapatori for a discussion on haircare, scalp health, beauty routines, and the growing popularity of homemade remedies circulating online.
During the conversation, Tsapatori highlighted the importance of understanding individual hair and scalp needs before trying any treatment. He stressed that there is no universal solution that works for everyone and encouraged people to evaluate whether a particular remedy is genuinely beneficial or simply a social media trend.
Sharing her own experience, Soha revealed that she once applied excessive amounts of apple cider vinegar to her scalp, resulting in a painful reaction.
“I put a little too much apple cider vinegar on my scalp, and it was red, and I probably burnt a layer of my skin off,” she admitted.
The incident sparked a discussion about the risks associated with DIY beauty treatments. While apple cider vinegar is commonly promoted as a natural ingredient for hair care and is even found in several commercial products, experts note that it must be used correctly.
Due to its highly acidic nature, apple cider vinegar should always be diluted before application. Undiluted use or frequent application can lead to scalp irritation, dryness, frizz, colour fading, and in severe cases, chemical burns. Individuals with sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or chemically treated hair are advised to exercise extra caution.
Tsapatori clarified that he is not entirely against experimenting with homemade remedies but believes people should carefully assess their effectiveness and discontinue use if they do not deliver positive results.
Kritika Kamra also weighed in on the debate, sharing that she generally avoids DIY beauty hacks. According to her, ingredients that are healthy to consume are not necessarily suitable for application on the scalp or hair.
As social media continues to fuel interest in homemade beauty treatments, experts recommend consulting professionals, understanding ingredient properties, and prioritising safety over trends.