Lemon for hair care lightening and growth has been used for many centuries. Lemons, as well as their juice, are readily available. They are also cheap and can be included in many DIY self-care recipes.
Lemon For Hair Care Benefits
Lemons in hair care are preferred because lemons are rich in nutrients like vitamin c which helps the body absorb iron better. Vitamin c is also believed to encourage hair growth.
The extract of lemon also helps get rid of dandruff which can be a reason for the reduction in the growth of new hairs on the scalp.
This extract also acts as an antiseptic and gets rid of dirt from your head, thus giving proper nourishment and preventing hair loss and thinning.
Lemon is also known to improve the texture of your hair, so it makes your hair soft and shiny. If you have frizzy, curly, or dry hair, then lemon can help get rid of that problem.
Lemon is also used in many fairness products because it helps in lightening the complexion of your skin.
How To Use Lemon On Your Hair
Lemon can be used in many ways for hair care, below are the main ways it can be used.
- Neutralizing brassy hair (reduces yellow tones)
- Lightening your hair (removes natural pigment to make it lighter)
- Removing product build-up (clarifies hair to give it a fresh feel)
- Deep conditioning hair (adds moisture to dry, dehydrated strands)
- Conditioning the scalp (nourish and moisturize your skin)
- Bring out highlights/lowlights (will make highlighted sections look more “neon”)
- Toning down red tones (reduce or eliminate red undertones from bleached hair)
- Toning down brassiness (remove or fade yellow undertones from colored hair)
- Dying hair (lemon will create highlights if used on the tips of blonde hair)
- Conditioning dry/damaged ends (restores moisture to brittle strands that have been damaged by heat or chemical treatment)
- Lightening or brightening your overall look (lemon is a natural way to get your hair lighter without using harsh chemicals or bleach)
Caution for Using Lemon for Haircare
When it comes to lemon, be cautious when you are applying it to your hair. Lemon juice contains citric acid which can irritate the scalp and dry out strands so it would be wise not to leave any of the juice on for too long.
A good idea is to mix it with some water before application. If you are looking for more drastic results, try applying some lemon juice on dry hair and sit in the sun/take a hot shower.
The heat will intensify the effects of the natural bleaching lemon’s citric acid which helps fade the color.
You can also apply lemon juice after shampooing before rinsing. This will help remove any product build-up and restore the natural pH of your scalp.
For best results use lemon juice on hair that hasn’t been dyed or bleached. As for your skin, it is highly advised not to go out into the sun with lemon juice on your skin as it may result in a nasty sunburn.
Avoid lemon juice if you are allergic to citrus or have any open wounds on your scalp or skin.
You should also be gentle when applying lemon juice to avoid irritation. When using lemon juice on hair, always use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner afterward as the acidity may dry out your hair and scalp.
It is not suggested to bleach/dye hair during pregnancy, so wait until after birth to use lemon for lightening purposes.
Do not leave lemon juice on your hair or skin for more than 30 minutes, remember that it contains acid.
Longer exposure can lead to dryness and other damage. If you are looking to go much lighter than blonde, do not rely solely on lemon juice as it will not give you the desired effect.
Lemon is a natural way to lighten your hair. It works by removing pigment from colored hair and fading yellow undertones that are found in bleached or highlighted strands.
Lemon juice can be applied to dry or damp hair before shampooing/rinsing, just be sure to mix it with water to reduce the acidity.
Easy Lemon Hair Lightening Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water (ice cold)
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
Directions:
Mix ingredients together in a spray bottle, make sure to shake before each use. Spray on dry hair and leave it in for 20 minutes max. Do not leave it in longer than 30 minutes.
Rinse your hair afterward with cold water to lock in the moisture. You can also add a few drops of lemon oil to your mixture if you wish to have added benefits.
Lemon Rosemary Oil Hair Care Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water (ice cold)
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
Few drops of rosemary oil
Directions:
Mix ingredients together in a spray bottle, make sure to shake before each use. Spray on dry hair and leave it in for 20 minutes max. Do not leave it in longer than 30 minutes.
Rinse your hair afterward with cold water to lock in the moisture. You might find that this mixture is too strong for your hair, you can add more or less lemon juice. Depending on how light or dark your hair is, experiment with the mixture until you get the desired results.
Interesting Posts:
- DIY baking soda shampoo for dandruff and gray hair
- How to properly use rosemary oil for hair growth
- Powerful rice water recipes for natural hair growth
Conclusion
Using lemon in hair care is not new and has been used for many years. It’s important to remember that lemons have acid that can affect your hair negatively if not applied properly.
When applying any lemon to your hair don’t leave it for too long. You should also avoid using lemon in your hair frequently. If you want to use it more frequently, make sure to dilute it with large portions of water.
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