Lemon juice in hair is a classic method of highlighting, but you might be wondering if it really works. If you have the right tresses for the job, the answer to "Does lemon juice lighten hair?" is "Yes!" Ahead, learn how to lighten hair with lemon juice for the ultimate summer look.
Get the highlights of your dreams with lemon juice in hair
Know What to Expect
Lemon juice in hair is not the same as a bottle of platinum blonde dye. The juice may help you lighten your hair a shade or two, but you're not going to fundamentally shift your hair color.
You'll probably get the best results if your hair is currently its natural color and you are a blonde or a light brunette to begin with. Dark brunettes may end up with orange streaks if they try the lemon juice method. For those with dyed hair, the results can be unpredictable, so it's best not to add lemon juice to color-treated hair.
Once your locks are lighter, they'll stay lighter until your hair grows out. This isn't like traditional hair dye that fades over the course of several weeks, so be sure you want to stay lighter before you commit.
Pick a Day
The lemon juice in hair method works because the acid in the juice couples with sunlight to oxidize and break down the melanin that gives your hair its color. What this science lesson means for you is that you'll need to spend time in the sun after applying the juice. For this hair care trick, choose a sunny day when you're free to relax in the great outdoors.
Squeeze
Take a fresh lemon and squeeze the juice from it. One lemon will yield less than 1/4 cup of juice, so if you have long hair, use a few lemons. Pour the juice into a spray bottle.
Mix
Lemon juice is good for lightening your locks, but it can also dry out your tresses. Adding 1 teaspoon of almond oil for each lemon squeezed may help prevent this.
Boost
If you really want to enhance the lightening effect, add an optional ingredient or two. Brew a cup of double-strength chamomile tea and mix it with the lemon juice or stir in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. It's even okay to combine all three lightening ingredients.
Spritz
Spray the lemon juice wherever you want your hair to appear lighter. You might opt for an all-over spray or concentrate the mixture on just the ends of your locks.
Head Outside
This lemon juice in hair beauty trick has been pretty easy so far, but the last step is the most effortless of them all. Head out in the sun for several hours of soaking up rays. Of course, remember to apply sunscreen so that your skin is safe while your hair gets all of the lightening goodness that the sun has to offer.