What you should know about lemon and hair health

The potential uses of lemons go beyond flavoring water and culinary dishes as this fruit remains a good source of vitamin C, which can boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. Also, it has bleaching properties, which is why it is found in cleaning and skin care products.

But it is also very useful for hair care. Lemons are most beneficial when applied topically in liquid form on hair; it has citric acid and can be used to naturally lighten the hair, though it works best in lighter hair tones. it helps to create shinier hair, reduce oil and dandruff and helps general hair growth.

The citric acid in lemon juice is a natural bleach or oxidizing agent that whitens hair by chemically reducing hair’s color pigment or melanin. And when exposed to the sun, the citric acid accelerates the bleaching process.

To lighten your hair with lemon juice, try one of these three methods: Dilute fresh lemon juice in water and rinse your hair with it, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil in a carrier oil and glass of water and apply to your hair or crush vitamin C tablets and add them to your shampoo for a more gradual lightening effect.

For shinier hair, add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the lemon juice rinse of your choice; evenly distribute through your hair and let it sit for a few minutes before applying conditioner and rinsing out.

To reduce oil and dandruff especially if you have a dry scalp, apply your lemon juice hair rinse, make sure you massage the mixture into your scalp, too. If you have a type of dandruff called seborrheic dermatitis, lemon juice may help absorb excess oils that lead to this common scalp condition. Such effects can work for all hair colors.

Fresh lemon juice will not dry out or damage your hair. However, prolonged exposure to the sun can damage your hair’s outer sheath, called the cuticle; it is therefore advisable to limit the amount of time you spend in the sun after applying lemon juice to your hair.

Expose hair to the sun until the lemon juice has dried (no more than one hour); then rinse and apply a conditioner to your hair. You can also try adding a teaspoon of oil to your lemon juice solution for added protection.

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