Introduction

Do you have extremely dark hair and want to lighten it without harsh chemicals?

Can you use lemon juice to lighten hair?

In this blog article, I’ll provide you with all the pertinent information to help you make an educated decision.

Furthermore, I’ll go through some advantages of lemon juice for your hair.

At the end of this blog post, I will tackle some frequently asked questions.

Have you ever noticed how your dark hair lightens when you spend time in the sun?

The same principle applies to effects of liquid extract from lemon fruit.

Not all lemons are the same

The best lemons for juicing are those with smooth oily skins and plenty of juice.

They should be bright yellow with no green tinges.

Meyer lemons are the most alkaline and have little pectin.

While Lisbon and Eureka varieties are more acidic, i.e. having more citric acid, it also has plenty of pectin.

These are the kind of lemons I like, since they have a greater lightening effect because of its acidity.

The secret in getting the most juice out of a lemon

If you want to get the most out of the juice, the lemon should be at room temperature.

To enhance juice yields, roll a lemon on a hard surface using your palm.

Imagine you only need a little juice and don’t want to waste it.

Firstly, pierce the lemon’s end with a fork.

Then you squeeze out the required quantity of juice from the hole created.

Later, cover the hole with a tape and store it in a refrigerator.

How does lemon juice work on your hair?

Do you wish to lighten very dark hair without harsh chemicals?

A freshly squeezed lemon is one of the best natural options.

The acidity in lemon juice cuts through dirt and grease, leaving your hair clean and shiny.

In addition, the acidity in lemon juice interacts with the melanin in the hair shaft.

Thus, this bleaches the hair, resulting in lighter strands.

You have to be patient and consistent

Of course, lemon juice will only lighten your hair by a few shades.

So it’s important to be patient and avoid over-processing your hair.

It may take several applications before you start to see a noticeable difference.

And be sure to use a conditioner afterwards.

It is important to note that lemon juice can also strip away natural oils and leaves you with dry hair.

But if you’re patient and consistent, you’ll achieve the lighter locks you desire.

Is lemon juice effective in lightening black hair?

Lemon juice is not as effective in lightening black hair as it does on dark brown hair.

The acidity in lemon juice interacts with the melanin in the hair shaft, and black hair has less melanin than dark brown hair.

However, lemon juice can still apply to lighten black hair, but will take longer and may not be as noticeable.

It is possible to use it on redheads to lighten hair to a strawberry blonde color.

How to lighten hair with lemon juice?

Lemon juice is also a natural bleaching agent.

Moreover, it is an excellent hair lightener as one of the best of home remedies.

Lightening black hair

You need:

• one lemon
• applicator (e.g. spray bottle, dropper, cotton ball)
• sun exposure

To lighten black hair or dark brown hair with lemon juice:

1. Mix one part lemon juice with two parts warm water in a spray bottle.
2. Apply the lemon juice mixture to your hair, making sure to cover all the hair shafts.
3. Leave the lemon juice in your hair for 30 minutes to an hour
4. Finally, shampoo and condition your hair as usual
5. Expose your hair to the sun for a few hours (the more direct the sun exposure, the better).

Repeat this process every other day until you reach your desired lightness

Lightening red hair with lemon juice:

If you have red hair, you can use lemon juice to lighten it to a strawberry blonde color.

1. To do this, mix one part lemon juice with two parts warm water in a spritz bottle.
2. You may want to mix with chamomile tea.
3. Applying lemon juice to your hair, making sure to cover all the hair shafts.
4. Leave the lemon juice in your hair for 30 minutes to an hour.
5. Finally, shampoo and deep condition your hair as usual.
6. Repeat this process every other day until you reach your desired lightness.

Sun’s UV rays are key

Direct sunlight is important when using lemon juice application to lighten hair.

Because it helps the lemon juice work more effectively.

The more direct the sun exposure, the better.

So make sure to spend some time outside every day when using juice of lemons to lighten your hair.

But don’t forget to wear sunscreen to protect against the sun’s UV rays.

Warm water

Use warm water, as it will help the lemon juice interact with the hair pigment.

It also helps lighten your hair more.

Can lemon juice permanently lighten hair?

Juice of a lemon will lighten your hair over time, but it is not a permanent solution.

The time it takes to lighten your hair with lemon juice depends on your natural hair color and how light you want to go.

If you have black hair, it may take a few weeks or even a month to achieve a lighter color.

But if you have light brown hair, it may take a few days to achieve a lighter color.

Redheads can expect to reach a strawberry blonde color with lemon juice in about a week.

Fade over time

The lightening effects of lemon juice will gradually fade over time.

So you will need to repeat the process every once in a while to maintain your desired lightness.

Also, lemon juice is a safer and more natural alternative to hair bleaching products.

So if you are looking for a lighter hair color, but do not want to use harsh chemicals, lemon juice is a good option for you.

Other benefits of lemon juice

Aside from lightening your hair, lemon juice has other benefits for your health and scalp.

A flaky scalp is another symptom of eczema.

As reported by the AAD, dandruff is sometimes linked to eczema.

Therefore, individuals with dandruff should avoid applying acidic chemicals.

This includes lemon juice, because they can irritate the skin further.

According to advocates, it is an effective therapy against dandruff because of its antibacterial qualities.

Is lemon juice good for growing hair?

It’s unclear whether lemon juice is beneficial for hair development.

Some people believe citric acid in lemon juice helps promote hair growth.

Resulting in strengthening the hair follicles.

While others say the vitamin C in lemon juice stimulates only hair growth.

However, we need more studies to determine if lemon juice is an effective treatment for hair growth.

Side effects of juice of a lemon

Lemon juice can dry out your hair and make it more brittle.

So if you have dry or color-treated hair, you’ll want to be extra careful when using lemon juice.

Make sure to use a good conditioner after shampooing to replenish the moisture in your hair.

You can also try adding a teaspoon of olive oil to your lemon juice solution for added protection.

Or, you can try using a leave-in conditioner before applying the lemon juice.

Skin irritation

Another possibility is a condition called phytophotodermatitis.

This is a contact reaction to certain plants.

Whereby the reaction is inflammation and blisters appearing.

If you have fair skin, you are more susceptible to this condition.

Unless you experience any redness, irritation, or itchiness, stop using lemon juice immediately.

Be especially careful if you have eczema or psoriasis.

As these conditions make you more susceptible to skin irritation.

Juice of lemons can also bleach your hair and skin.

If you are trying to lighten your natural hair color with natural product.

Be aware that lemon juice can cause contact reactions, as mentioned earlier.

This can lighten your hair beyond your desired shade.

Anecdotal evidence suggests lemons can help treat dry skin and dandruff.

But, you’ll want to use caution here, especially if you have eczema or psoriasis.

Citric acid may be too powerful and cause skin irritation.

You’ll want to stop this process if you start to experience skin issues.

                             

Do a patch test

Whether you’re considering using juice of lemons to lighten your hair, it’s a good idea to do a patch test first.

Apply a small amount of lemon juice to an inconspicuous area of your skin.

Then wait 24 hours to see if you have any adverse reactions.

If you experience any redness, increased irritation, or itchiness, discontinue using immediately.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a natural way to lighten your hair without harsh chemicals, look no further.

The liquid extract of lemon fruit is a great option.

It is affordable, easy to find, and applicable to all types of hair.

Besides lightening your hair, lemon juice also has other benefits.

This includes strengthening the scalp hair and helping with dandruff issues.

Have you ever tried using freshly squeezed juice of lemons to lighten your hair?

Let us know in the comments below!

 

FAQs

Can I use lemon juice to lighten my hair if I’m pregnant?

You should avoid lemon juice on your hair if you are pregnant.

The citric acid in lemons can cause skin irritation.

Especially more likely during pregnancy.

If you experience redness, increased irritation, or itchiness, stop using lemon juice immediately.

Can I use lemon juice to lighten my hair if I have eczema or psoriasis?

You should avoid lemon juice on your hair if you have existing eczema or psoriasis.

This is because the citric acid in lemons can cause skin irritation, itchiness or redness.

If this happens, consult your healthcare professional for advice.

What are some other natural ways to lighten my hair?

Some natural ways to lighten your hair include chamomile tea, vinegar, and baking soda.

You can also try sun exposure, which gradually lightens your hair over time.

Is lemon juice good for dark blonde hair?

It lightens hair chemically through the melanin in the cortex.

Under the sun, citric acid accelerates the bleaching action of ultraviolet rays.

So, yes, lemon juice is good for blonde hair!

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Disclaimer: We do not recommend or encourage you to use any of these statements as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. They are for educational purposes only. The FDA has not conducted any studies on them. If you have a medical concern, see your doctor immediately.