Does Lemon Juice Lighten Your Hair?

Yes, the high citric acid content in lemons can lighten your hair. Here's the science behind it – lemon juice has strong acids that can act as a natural bleach. When you put it on your hair and let it soak up some sun, the acid and sunlight work together to lighten hair.

How Does it Work?

So, here's the deal: when you apply lemon juice to your hair, it basically breaks down the outer layer of each strand. This process reduces the color and reveals the lighter shades underneath. And after three to four applications, you'll start to see that brighter, lighter look you're after. However, it is best to speak to a hair care professional to determine if this is a healthy option for your hair and scalp.

Keep it Natural

One thing to keep in mind is that the lemon juice you buy from the store can have a bunch of chemicals in it that may effect the results. It's best to just stick with the natural stuff and squeeze your own lemons for the juice. That way, you'll get the results you want without any unnecessary additives.

As a bonus, did you know that many fruits and vegetables can promote hair growth? Here are our favorite juice blends for healthy, glowing hair.

Steps to Follow

So, you want to lighten your hair with lemon juice? Here's what you need to do:

1. First, grab a chamomile tea bag and steep it until it's nice and strong. Let it cool down a bit and mix it with some lemon juice – use two parts tea water to one part lemon juice. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and saturate your hair with it.
2. Now, here's the fun part – go outside and let the sun do its magic! Spend at least one hour in the sun. The citric acid in the lemon juice, combined with the sunlight, will help lighten your hair. After you've had enough sun, make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly with water once it's dry.
3. One thing to keep in mind is that lemon juice can dry out your hair, so you'll want to follow up with a moisturizing treatment or conditioner. And there you have it – a natural way to lighten your hair with just a few simple steps.
4. For a delicious final step, use any unused lemons to make a refreshing and detoxifying charcoal lemonade.

Just a heads-up, the amount of lightening you get from lemon juice may differ based on your hair's color, texture, and natural pigmentation. Lemon juice generally works best on lighter hair shades like blonde or light brown. If you have darker hair, the lightening effect might not be very noticeable. However, redheads can expect a nice pop of brightness and vibrancy with a lemon juice treatment, and if they stick with it, they could even get bold gold results.

If you want to achieve noticeable results, you'll need to apply lemon juice to your hair multiple times. But be careful not to go overboard as excessive use can cause dryness and damage. To prevent this, give your hair a break of 3–4 weeks between each lightening session. If you're after more reliable or dramatic results, it might be worth investing in professional hair-lightening products or consulting a professional hair colorist.

Other Hair Benefits Offered By Lemon Juice

Did you know that lemon juice can do more than just lighten your hair? It's true – lemon juice has some other great benefits for your hair.

• Firstly, because lemon juice is acidic, it can help balance the pH on your scalp. This means that it can reduce itchiness, dryness, and flaking when used in moderation.
• Secondly, lemons have antifungal properties, which means that lemon juice can help treat seborrheic dermatitis, a common cause of dandruff.

Lastly, lemons can even help reduce excess oil on your scalp. And don't forget - when you consume lemon juice, it’s a great source of vitamin C, which can strengthen your hair and promote growth. Who knew lemons were so versatile?