Sign In
You can call lemon a miracle fruit. It is rich in vitamin C and beneficial plant compounds. Studies have shown lemon water (basically, diluted lemon juice) can be linked to weight loss, improved digestion and general detoxification of the body. Drinking lemon water can make our skin glow. But did you know that lemon juice has myriad benefits for our hair as well? Here are several compelling reasons why we should use lemon juice for hair. Read on.
Promoting Hair Growth And Benefit Hair
DIY Hair Masks With Lemon Juice
Scalp Healthy
Fighting Dandruff
Lighten Hair
Reduce Excess Oil
Shinier Hair
How To Apply
Side Effects
Frequently Asked Questions:
Promoting Hair Growth And Benefit Hair
Yes, it can. And, hence, this is one of the reasons why lemon juice is good for hair. As we have already mentioned, lemons are packed with the goodness of vitamin C which in turn can promote collagen production. As a result, hair growth is ensured. What's more, the acidic nature of lemon unclogs hair follicles and stimulates dormant ones. All in all, lemon juice can be effective in containing hair loss. But apart from using lemon to combat hair loss, you should also eliminate the causes of hair loss.
For instance, telogen effluvium or TE is a type of hair loss that is triggered by stress or a traumatic event in your life. For instance, a major disruption in your life, such as bereavement or separation, can lead to uncontrollable hair loss for some time. If this persists for more than six months, then it's called chronic telogen effluvium. There are, in fact, several other factors that can lead to TE.
For instance, pregnancy, childbirth, any kind of accident or chronic disease can abet TE. So, any hair fall treatment, in this case, will depend on what a medical practitioner will prescribe and proscribe. But this is not a permanent condition and can be reversed, with proper care and hair fall treatment. Then there is something called female pattern baldness. The bad news is, this is hereditary. But you can keep it under control with proper care and treatment.
DIY Hair Masks With Lemon Juice
Lemon juice + aloe vera gel
Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with a tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is a natural moisturising agent, which also helps in suppressing fungal growth on the scalp. Apply the mixture to your scalp and wait for 30 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Like lemon, aloe vera has myriad benefits for our skin and hair mainly because of its strong content. It is rich in fatty acids, vitamins, essential amino acids and minerals like zinc and copper that are known for boosting hair growth.
Lemon juice + henna + egg
Take 4 tablespoons of henna powder, an egg, the juice of a lemon and a cup of warm water. Make a thick paste with these ingredients. Apply this mix to your scalp and hair and wait for a couple of hours. Shampoo off. If you want to control oiliness, a combination of henna and lemon juice can be a good option. Henna helps calm down overactive sebaceous glands, controlling oil production in the process. Henna also helps in restoring the pH of the scalp to its natural acid-alkaline level, thus strengthening the hair follicles in the process. As a result, expect thicker hair growth.
Lemon juice + henna + green tea
Take organic henna and soak it in strained green tea liquor overnight. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice before you apply the mask to your hair. For extra conditioning, you can add a teaspoon of yogurt as well. Apply this henna mix to your hair and leave it for about 40 minutes. Wait a little longer, if you want a deeper color. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
Lemon juice + olive oil + castor oil
Take the juice of a lemon, 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of castor oil. Mix them in a bowl and heat the mixture a bit. Massage the blend on your scalp for a few minutes. After an hour or so, wash off. Use this blend twice a week for the best results. Castor oil is rich in proteins, minerals and vitamin E and therefore it works as a magic potion for your hair. What's more, castor oil has ricinoleic acid and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which boost blood circulation to the scalp, thereby increasing hair growth.
Tip: Use these masks at least once a week to promote hair growth.
Scalp Healthy
The anti-fungal properties of lemon can keep your scalp healthy. What's more, the juice of a lemon can help control oil secretion. So, this is again a wonderful benefit of lemon juice for hair.
Here are some DIY hair masks with lemon juice that can keep your scalp and tresses nourished:
Lemon juice + fenugreek + henna
Grind soaked fenugreek seeds, henna leaves and hibiscus petals to a paste. Add a teaspoon of buttermilk and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp. Wait for 30 minutes and wash off. This mask is good for your scalp health; it will rejuvenate your scalp and help you get rid of any flakiness.
Lemon juice + vinegar
This can be an excellent scalp exfoliator. Just mix the juice of a lemon with an equal quantity of white vinegar. Massage your scalp with it for some minutes. Wait for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with a mild shampoo.
Lemon juice + honey
The combination of lemon and honey not only soothes a sore throat but also soothes, moisturises and nourishes an itchy scalp. Mix three tablespoons of lemon juice with two tablespoons of honey. Apply the mixture to the scalp. Leave it on your scalp for 30 minutes and then wash it off with a mild shampoo.
This mask is therefore good for your scalp health. Often you would see honey being described as a natural humectant. In other words, honey moisturises your tresses and keeps the moisture locked in your hair. The result: soft and shiny hair, what else.
Lemon juice + coconut oil + camphor oil
Take 3 tbsp of coconut oil and warm it a bit. Add a few drops of camphor oil and one tsp of lemon juice. Massage your scalp with the mix for a few minutes. If you want a kind of hair spa, wrap your hair with a warm towel and wait for about 15 minutes. Then rinse off with a mild shampoo.
Lemon juice + apple cider vinegar
This mask can help control oil in your tresses and scalp. Combine half a cup of apple cider vinegar with the juice of a lemon. Apply on your scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes. This will help the mix absorb excess oil from your scalp. Rinse off with water.
Lemon juice + Fuller's earth + ACV
Slowly add ACV to half a cup of fuller's earth. Make a thick paste. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and mix well. Cover your hair fully with this mask. You can rinse it with water or you can shampoo it off.
ACV has the right ingredients for stronger and bouncier hair - vitamin C, vitamin Bs and acetic acid. Vitamin C is known for fighting harmful free radicals. Vitamin B can help in smoother blood circulation. Ascetic acid can help in ridding the hair of harmful chemicals, germs and bacteria.
Tip: Make an effort to keep your scalp clean - that can help you combat several hair-related problems.
Fighting Dandruff
Of course, it can. This is another benefit of lemon juice for hair. Effective, safe and inexpensive, the citric acid in its juice helps restore the normal pH balance of the scalp, which in turn, helps in restraining an overgrowth of those irritating white flakes. Moreover, the astringent effect of lemon juice balances out the sebum level of the scalp, preventing it from becoming itchy, excessively greasy or dry and thereby containing dandruff.
Before you start using lemon for getting rid of dandruff, you should know what is causing the flakes in the first place. A common form of dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis. Basically, it's an itchy, red rash with concomitant white or yellow flakes - this condition can affect not only our scalp but also our face and other parts of our torso. Seborrheic dermatitis is also linked to a fungus called Malassezia, which can be found on the scalp and they normally feast on oils secreted by hair follicles. So by controlling this oil, lemon can help in eliminating dandruff. Also, remember that dandruff can be caused by other factors such as yeast overgrowth in our body, an improper diet and stress.
Here are some anti-dandruff hair masks containing lemon juice:
Lemon juice + flaxseeds
Soak a quarter cup of flaxseeds in water overnight. In the morning, add two cups of water to the flaxseeds and bring them to a boil. When it thickens, reduce the flame and squeeze the juice of a lemon into it. After a few minutes, turn off the heat and let it cool. Add a few drops of any essential oil of your choice. Leave overnight. The next morning, shampoo as usual. You can use this mask as a natural styling gel as well. Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins, which help promote thick hair. Along with the juice of lemon, it can keep dandruff under control and this mask can also help increase hair elasticity.
Juice of lemon + water
Massage 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice onto your scalp and hair and let it sit for a minute. Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice into one cup of water and rinse your hair with it. Do this right before your shower daily for the best results. Repeat every day until your dandruff looks under control. Freshly squeezed lemon juice contains acids that can help break down the fungus that is often called the cause of dandruff. Plus, this simple mixture leaves your hair and scalp smelling clean and fresh.
Lemon juice + coconut oil + honey
Heat up 6 tablespoons of coconut oil at home; add the juice of a lemon and a teaspoon of honey. Mix well and apply generously to the hair and scalp.
Let it rest for an hour and shampoo it as usual. This mask will help fight itchy dandruff and will take care of your split ends as well.
Tip: If the dandruff problem persists, do consult a doctor.
Lighten Hair
Citric acid, which is the main component of lemon juice, is a natural bleaching agent. On application, it gets absorbed into the hair easily and works with the sun's UV rays to oxidise the melanin in the hair. This depletes the natural hair colour, giving it a lighter appearance.
Tip: Avoid using lemon juice on your hair more than once a week as it is acidic in nature and can damage your hair. Follow up with a hair conditioning routine to prevent dryness.
Reduce Excess Oil
Since lemon juice is naturally acidic, it can cleanse the scalp and hair follicles, clearing the build-up of oil and grease, dirt and other pollutants. It also restores the pH of the scalp and hair.
Tip: Mix the juice of two lemons in a cup of water; apply it to the scalp and hair, and rinse off after 10 minutes for a clean scalp.
Shinier Hair
Lemon juice not only helps get rid of grime and dirt from the scalp and hair, but it also makes hair glossy. This is because citric acid present in lemon juice is a natural clarifying agent. The acidity of lemon juice also eliminates frizz and adds shine by flattening the cuticles.
Tip: Using lemon juice once a week can remove the build-up of dirt and hair care products, which can add life to dull hair. Lemon juice can also get rid of limescale, making your hair silky and smooth.
How To Apply
You can fill a jug with lemon juice mixed with water and use it to rinse your hair. Alternatively, fill a spray bottle with lemon juice and spritz it onto the hair and scalp easily as a leave-in treatment.
Tip: Always rinse lemon juice off using plain water after about 10 minutes to avoid hair damage.
Side Effects
Prolonged exposure to the sun after applying lemon juice on hair, or overusing lemon juice on the scalp and hair can cause some side effects like allergy, redness and dryness of the scalp, burning sensation on the scalp, premature greying of hair, and damage to hair cuticles.
Tip: Avoid exposing hair and scalp to the sun for a prolonged period after the application of lemon juice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Can lemon juice turn your hair gray?
A. Although there's hardly any study that shows using lemon can lead to premature greying, some say that this can be a possibility. They argue that using lemon juice directly on your hair can damage keratin (a protein present in hair), thanks to the high concentration of citric acid in the fruit. If keratin gets peeled off, hair can look lighter in color. So avoid applying lemon juice directly to your hair. Use the diluted form.
Q. What are the benefits of drinking lemon water for hair?
A. Lemon water (basically, water added to fresh lemon juice) is a low-calorie beverage that is packed with vitamin C. So, drinking lemon water can boost your vitamin C intake. And, as we have already discussed, there are myriad benefits of vitamin C for hair. There are traces of folate and potassium as well. What's more, lemon water has anti-oxidant properties and flavonoids that are often linked to improved blood circulation and metabolic health. Needless to say, all these can lead to glowing skin and luscious hair.
Q. What is the difference between lime and lemon?
A. They are different. Both belong to the same citrus family and have a lot of common properties. Both are rich in vitamin C. But they are vastly different in color. Lemons are generally green while limes are yellow. Also, limes are said to be bigger in size. Both lime and lemon are low in calories and have the same kind of nutritional benefits. Yet, primarily, you should use lemon juice for hair.
Q. How long should you leave lemon juice in your hair?
A. Leave the lemon juice on the hair and scalp for no more than 10 minutes. Make sure you use lemon juice mixed with water to minimise damage. In some treatments, like mixing lemon juice with castor oil or other carrier oils, you can leave it on overnight but start slowly and gradually to avoid allergies or other issues.Q. How often should I apply lemon juice to my hair?
A. Use lemon juice on your hair no more than once a week. Always condition and moisturise the scalp and hair after using lemon juice.Q. How often should I apply lemon juice to my hair?
A. As a mask and mixed with other ingredients, you can apply every 3-4 days, however just as is, you shouldn't apply as frequently.
Q. How long should you leave lemon juice in your hair?
A. Keep lemon juice on your hair for about 20 minutes to an hour. Lemon juice should not be left on your hair for more than an hour as it can be damaging and make hair brittle.
Q. How do you wash your hair after using lemon juice?
A. You can wash out the lemon juice in your hair using your everyday wash routine. Just shampoo rinse and condition your hair as you would normally do.
Loading...