How To Lighten Black Hair with Lemon Juice: 6 Easy Steps

Hair lightening is one quick and easy way to give a dull hairstyle a boost. There are thousands of hair lightening products out on the market and most of them are suited for both men and women. There are natural ways to lighten hair as well.

One of the cheapest yet most effective is using lemon juice. Lemon juice is natural and will not likely result to any allergic reactions, making it the perfect option for men who want to try subtle, natural hair lightening without using any commercial lightening products. Here are some tips on how to lighten black hair with lemon juice.

1. Get fresh lemons from the local market.
Fresh lemons are recommended since they contain the highest levels of acidity which is what makes the hair lighter. At least a few pieces are needed to make a half cup of juice or more if the hair is longer. Squeeze the lemons to make about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of juice.

Thicker, longer hair may require more juice. Users can estimate by looking at how much liquid it takes to thoroughly wet the hair since even, a thorough application is needed for professional-looking results.

2. Dilute the juice in water.

Most formulas require a gallon of water for 1 tbsp. of lemon juice. Spray bottles can be bought in local drugstores and they are recommended for easier application of the juice to the hair. Spray bottles are also easier to carry outdoors when sun exposure is needed.

3. Spray all over the hair evenly.
It is important to make sure that all areas are sprayed to avoid light and dark patches that will be conspicuous in broad daylight. To make sure, wet the whole of the hair with the solution. This will ensure an even color and avoid orange streaks on parts that were not sprayed well.

4. Expose the hair to sunlight.

This is a crucial step. Sunlight activates the lightening ingredient in the lemon juice, causing the hair to light upon exposure. It is important to note that one needs to stay under the sun for three to five hours for the best results. To avoid harmful sun exposure, experts recommend doing this in the morning, where the sun is bright but not too harsh.

5. Rinse well and condition.
Rinse and condition right away to prevent drying out the hair. Lemon juice is acidic so it can cause the hair to become weak and brittle. It is important to moisturize since sun exposure coupled with the acidity of the lemon juice can further degrade the hair strands. Rinsing with cold water is ideal to close the open pores and leave the hair shinier.

6. Enjoy lighter hair.
Sport lighter locks with this natural solution. The best thing about lemon juice for lightening the hair is that it is natural so it is not harmful. Men who are allergic to commercial hair lighteners will have no problem lightening their hair using this method. The best part is that it cost a fraction of most hair lighteners in most salons and is very easy to prepare.