Hair is beautiful when it is well-groomed and healthy. Fat and dirt accumulate on the scalp, which, without proper hygiene procedures, disrupt the hair structure and destroy the skin epithelium, which leads to dandruff. Shampoos cannot always completely remove dirt. And then natural cosmetics come to the rescue, one of which is lemon. Its juice and pulp contain vitamins B, C, P, A and minerals: potassium, iron, copper, zinc. Thanks to its constituents, this citrus fruit has unique medicinal properties. Lemon can be successfully used at home for healthy hair without resorting to expensive cosmetic procedures.
Benefits of lemon for hair and scalp
Lemon for hair is used both independently and in combination with other natural ingredients. This fruit can be used for the following purposes:
- eliminating dandruff and preventing its reappearance;
- strengthening hair follicles;
- reduction of oily scalp;
- acceleration of hair growth;
- lightening strands;
- prevention of hair breakage;
- giving hair shine;
- prevention of split ends;
- elimination of scalp diseases;
- reducing the effects of exposure to chemicals.
Features of use for different hair types
Lemon is more suitable for oily and normal hair types. For dry skin, you need to use masks with the addition of vegetable oils, yogurt and kefir, and do them no more than twice a week. Otherwise, frequent exposure to acid can only worsen the condition of your hair.
Lightening hair with lemon juice
To use lemon to make your hair lighter, you need to follow some rules:
- Use lemon juice only on uncolored hair. The exposure time depends on how much the shade needs to be changed.
- Do not use the product on dark hair (darker than light brown).
- Lemon juice in its pure form can harm your hair. It is better if the mask consists of juice mixed with some vegetable oil.
- To gradually lighten your hair, add a few drops of lemon juice to your regular shampoo regularly. For a quick effect, use a lemon mask.
- Natural blondes can also use lemon, since the juice of this citrus prevents the natural darkening of hair.
Video: how to lighten hair at home using lemon juice
A pinch of cinnamon added to a lightening mask will give your hair a unique shade and aroma.
For oily hair type, use a mask with lemon once a week, for dry hair - once every 10 days.
Video: lightening hair with herbal remedies
Recipes for healthy remedies with lemon juice
People have learned to prepare many homemade hair care products based on the pulp and juice of lemon.
Hair restoration: honey, egg, kefir and chamomile
If your hair has become damaged due to frequent coloring or perming, try restoring it with lemon masks prepared according to the following recipes:
Anti-dandruff masks
To get rid of dandruff, try the following recipes using lemon juice:
- 1 tbsp. l. mix coconut oil with 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice. Apply the resulting mixture to the scalp. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse with shampoo. Repeat the procedure 3 times a week.
- Mix 4 tbsp. l. apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice. Apply to scalp with a cotton pad. Leave for 20 minutes, then wash your hair with shampoo. Make a mask three times a week.
- Brew 2 tablespoons of tea with 100 ml of water, close the lid for 10 minutes. Strain and mix with one tablespoon of lemon juice. Cool and apply to the scalp with a cotton pad. After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.
Avoid getting acidic juice in your eyes. Lemon-based masks should be rubbed in with light massage movements, being careful not to scratch the scalp.
Acceleration of hair growth
For fast hair growth, lemon can also bring considerable benefits. Try these recipes:
- Take 3 tbsp. l. lemon juice and 3 tbsp. l. olive or burdock oil. Apply to the scalp, leave for 15 minutes and wash your hair with shampoo.
- Mix 2 tbsp. l. honey and 7 tbsp. l. lemon juice. Apply to scalp. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse with shampoo.
Strengthening roots and fighting oiliness: nettle, henna and burdock oil will help
To strengthen hair follicles, take 60 g of nettle pulp and add 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice. Rub the resulting mixture into the scalp, leave for 30 minutes and rinse without using shampoo.
For oily hair type, dilute 100 g of colorless henna powder in 300 ml of hot water, add 1 tbsp. l. burdock oil, 2 tbsp. l. blue clay and 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice. Cool, apply the resulting mixture to the scalp and hair, leave for 30 minutes. Wash off the product with shampoo.
Hair shine: spray and rinse
Spray for hair shine: squeeze the juice from half a lemon, strain, add 200 ml of water. Pour into a spray bottle and spray onto hair. The shelf life of the product is 3 days in the refrigerator.
You can rinse your hair for shine with water to which lemon juice has been added:
- Dilute fresh juice of one fruit with 1 liter of cool water. After washing your hair with shampoo, rinse your hair with this product. As a result, dull strands will become shiny and silky. This rinse helps lighten the hair.
- Cut the whole lemon into pieces, including the peel, and mash a little. Pour 500 ml of cool water and bring to a boil. Strain and cool to room temperature. Rinse your hair with the prepared decoction after washing or before styling, which will make it easy to style your hair without using chemicals.
Video: styling with lemon
Contraindications and side effects
Despite the fact that lemon is a natural product, it still has contraindications that should not be ignored:
- allergic reaction;
- open wounds and scratches on the head;
- pregnancy.
Side effects include scalp burns from citric acid. If masks are used incorrectly, hair can become dry, lifeless and brittle.
