Lemon Lightening

[ademtce]

sorry if there is already another thread on this, i searched for it but could not find one.


i've done my share of research on this method of lightening & know about the things to watch for. but i recently decided to use this method to lighten my hair after getting underwhelming results from Honey lightening. this will lighten Chemically dyed hair & natural hair.

Disclaimer
this method is not suggest for use on damaged hair as it will further dry out your hair. also never apply undiluted lemon juice to hair & expose it to direct sunlight as it may result in a very bad burn. always dilute the lemon juice. if used diluted & without prolonged exposure to sunlight ( direct sunlight is NOT recommended / No longer than 30 mins max) it can safely lighten your hair. remember wipe all excess lemon juice from your form your skin to prevent any burns.



this is what i used.

1/2 Cup Lemon Juice (Freshly Squeezed)
1/2 Cup Distilled Water
2Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

EDIT; recenly i've made a new recipe which does not dry out hair & leaves it smooth while still lightening.
its the same recipe as above just add 1Tbs Honey.

(you can use your own variation of lemon juice just remember to use equal part of water to dilute.)

shaken then put into a spray bottled & spritzed over my entire length. i applied enough to saturate my hair (as i wanted to lighten my entire length) then i headed outside for about 30min. with a little direct sunlight. after this time my hair was for the most part dry. after this wash hair well with shampoo (any kind will do) and make sure to get rid your hair of the mixture. then condition ( I suggest a deep conditioner) it did dry my hair a little but conditioner helped, after it was dried my hair felt like normal. here are my results.

Before
http://i41.tinypic.com/27wwoly.jpg

After
http://i41.tinypic.com/n63uog.jpg
( in un-direct sunlight my hair looks very brown)

the red tones are a result of my own hair, it has not been reported to add red tones to hair. also i experienced no burns of any kind. my scalp in fine as well.

[plainjanegirl]

Wow! That was alot of lightening in such a short amount of time.

[ademtce]

it is quite a bit now that you point it out. but i may be due to the fact i had tried the Honey Lightening before this lemon treatment so it may have added to the results.

[Heidi_234]

Wow it did lighten a great deal! I was partially skeptic if this really works, but now I see it does! Good job!

[ktani]

it is quite a bit now that you point it out. but i may be due to the fact i had tried the Honey Lightening before this lemon treatment so it may have added to the results.

You may be right about the honey lightening, based on your honey lightening results pictures. (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=608801&postcount=3821) The lighting in all 4 pictures is different though.

[euphrasyne]

My mother has used diluted lemon juice for about 40 years. It always works, has lightened her hair more than some people dye, and has made her hair a dry frizzy mess. Long term use of lemon juice generally results in the poofy 80s style hair.

cheryl

[ademtce]

yeah, i could see how long term use would definitely dry your hair into a huge mess. but if you use this method sparingly it shouldn't be too bad.

[ktani]

I posted these in 2007 on UV and hair.

UV Rays and Hair - and More - How to Protect Yourself From UV Rays - post #40
http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=996380&postcount=39 (http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=996380&postcount=39)

http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=996388&postcount=40 (http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=996388&postcount=40)

http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=996408&postcount=41 (http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=996408&postcount=41)

[Torrin Paige]

I use a mix of lemon juice, silk drops, a heavy leave-in conditioner and tap water. (I don't really measure, I just eyeball it.) It always lightens nicely in the summertime and I've noticed no drying or damage. Of course I have more conditioners than lemon juice in the bottle of spritzer and that might be why. :)

[plainjanegirl]

Well I think I may try this a bit this summer. If I do I will take before and after pics. I have been out a little this summer and it is starting to make some of my red tones show more.

[plainjanegirl]

I use a mix of lemon juice, silk drops, a heavy leave-in conditioner and tap water. (I don't really measure, I just eyeball it.) It always lightens nicely in the summertime and I've noticed no drying or damage. Of course I have more conditioners than lemon juice in the bottle of spritzer and that might be why. :)
Good idea to put conditioner in the mix.
Do you put a cream conditioner in it or a spray conditioner.
I don't have any serums like the silk drops but maybe I could use some of the africa's best oil instead.
And then I could do some more frequent deep conditioning.

[ademtce]

I use a mix of lemon juice, silk drops, a heavy leave-in conditioner and tap water. (I don't really measure, I just eyeball it.) It always lightens nicely in the summertime and I've noticed no drying or damage. Of course I have more conditioners than lemon juice in the bottle of spritzer and that might be why. :)

sounds like a good idea, i thought about adding some conditioner to my hair like a lighten leave-in. but was unsure if it would hinder the lightening process.

[Furiana]

I remember doing this!

I don't remember if it lightens everything or just gives highlights. Input?

[Torrin Paige]

Good idea to put conditioner in the mix.
Do you put a cream conditioner in it or a spray conditioner.
I don't have any serums like the silk drops but maybe I could use some of the africa's best oil instead.
And then I could do some more frequent deep conditioning.

I think the Africa's Best Oil would be a terrific substitute for the silk drops. I just use a cream conditioner. When you shake the bottle it mixes pretty well. Of course, I am a vigorous shaker. :)

Oh and Furiana, it lightens best the strands of your hair that naturally lighten anyway, but you do get an all over lightening effect. My hair still has streaks of bright blonde and not so bright blonde so it doesn't make it all one weird color. I see it as speeding up the natural effects of sunshine.

[ademtce]

@furiana ; for me it definitely lightened all of my hair. even my natural unprocessed hair.

[Furiana]

Do you two get highlights from sun exposure alone? (I'm wondering if that's why one got highlights and one didn't!)

[ademtce]

i got a bit of highlights too, i think it has to do with the way the sun hits your hair while using this method. also the amount of mixture on your hair if applied un-evenly or to specific strands can produce highlights

[Furiana]

Interesting! Thanks for the info. :flowers:

[ktani]

Lemon juice lightening comes up every one in a while and when it does, I usualy post this thread from the archives. So, here it is for all of those who have missed it.

How to lighten hair with lemon juice, get no dryness or damage and use no sunlight. (http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=40946)

[Furiana]

I wish it had more pictures, though. :?

[ademtce]

today while i was out & about i noticed my top layers looked very light brown. although while in the shade or artificial light it looks more of an ash brown/black.

i have an idea that my top layers are lightened but the under laying hair isn't as lighten so if i were to pin up that hair the next time i lighten it would make my overall hair lighter

[ademtce]

i have to update everyone on how i've found away to lighten with this method without any drying from lemon juice.

yesterday i was experimenting with my recipe & for some reason or another i decided to throw in 1Tbs of Honey, out of curiosity. so i applied like normal and let it sit. when it came time rinse my hair the mixture came out very easily with just rinsing & my hair felt very soft and smooth.

my hair did become mildly sticky while i had it in my hair though, but it all washed with a good rinse. although i recommend giving your hair a quick shampoo just to make sure its out. then conditioner as usual.

it worked great for me, same lightening results. will post pictures in a bit

[Sherri]

I use a mix of lemon juice, silk drops, a heavy leave-in conditioner and tap water. (I don't really measure, I just eyeball it.) It always lightens nicely in the summertime and I've noticed no drying or damage. Of course I have more conditioners than lemon juice in the bottle of spritzer and that might be why. :)
This sounds like a tutorial for your you tube page;)

[Sherri]

Does this have to be fresh lemon juice or can it be bottled?

[ademtce]

i used freshly squeezed, but i think it would be ok to use bottled.

also you can use less then 1/2 Cup you can use 1/4 Cup for that matter because 1/2 tends to be way too much for me.
just remember to dilute the lemon juice & water in equal parts

[plainjanegirl]

Does this have to be fresh lemon juice or can it be bottled?



Good question. I just assumed it could be the bottled stuff. Hmmm
I guess now I need to wait to find out.

[ademtce]

it seems to be toning out the red in my hair. here are the results from my second treatment
http://i42.tinypic.com/2eku2r6.jpg


the red/orange bits are from previous chemical dyes.

[Sherri]

I use a mix of lemon juice, silk drops, a heavy leave-in conditioner and tap water. (I don't really measure, I just eyeball it.) It always lightens nicely in the summertime and I've noticed no drying or damage. Of course I have more conditioners than lemon juice in the bottle of spritzer and that might be why. :)
Do you just spray it on and leave it or wash out in a certain amount of time?

[Heidi_234]

i have to update everyone on how i've found away to lighten with this method without any drying from lemon juice.

yesterday i was experimenting with my recipe & for some reason or another i decided to throw in 1Tbs of Honey, out of curiosity. so i applied like normal and let it sit. when it came time rinse my hair the mixture came out very easily with just rinsing & my hair felt very soft and smooth.

my hair did become mildly sticky while i had it in my hair though, but it all washed with a good rinse. although i recommend giving your hair a quick shampoo just to make sure its out. then conditioner as usual.

it worked great for me, same lightening results. will post pictures in a bit
Honey is humicat, so it helps hair retain moisture. It might make the hair feel better right after, but it's the other type of damage I'd be worried about. From my understanding what lemon juice does, is speeding up the natural process of sun bleaching. Sun bleaching disassembles certain molecule binds in the hair, and thus makes it lighter in color (different chemical structures can produce different colors of the material). So essentially lemon lightening is equivalent to sitting hours on hours in direct sunlight. Although the exposure to UV is much smaller, the end effect stays the same - hair turns velcro, becomes brittle and breaks off (due to the disassemble binds).
Not anything that is natural, is safe. Just a thought.

[papillion]

Hmmm. I wonder just how much damage using lemon juice would do?

I have highlights at the moment, and while I accept that any method I use to lighten my hair will cause damage, I would at least like to try and find the least damaging method.

So if using lemon juice causes less damage than conventional highlights, then it would certainly be worth it for me.

[Sherri]

Honey is humicat, so it helps hair retain moisture. It might make the hair feel better right after, but it's the other type of damage I'd be worried about. From my understanding what lemon juice does, is speeding up the natural process of sun bleaching. Sun bleaching disassembles certain molecule binds in the hair, and thus makes it lighter in color (different chemical structures can produce different colors of the material). So essentially lemon lightening is equivalent to sitting hours on hours in direct sunlight. Although the exposure to UV is much smaller, the end effect stays the same - hair turns velcro, becomes brittle and breaks off (due to the disassemble binds).
Not anything that is natural, is safe. Just a thought.


Hmmm. I wonder just how much damage using lemon juice would do?

I have highlights at the moment, and while I accept that any method I use to lighten my hair will cause damage, I would at least like to try and find the least damaging method.

So if using lemon juice causes less damage than conventional highlights, then it would certainly be worth it for me.

I to am wonder exactly how damaging this would be. With the conditioners mixed with diluted lemon juice I wouldn't think it would be to harsh.

[ademtce]

Honey is humicat, so it helps hair retain moisture. It might make the hair feel better right after, but it's the other type of damage I'd be worried about. From my understanding what lemon juice does, is speeding up the natural process of sun bleaching. Sun bleaching disassembles certain molecule binds in the hair, and thus makes it lighter in color (different chemical structures can produce different colors of the material). So essentially lemon lightening is equivalent to sitting hours on hours in direct sunlight. Although the exposure to UV is much smaller, the end effect stays the same - hair turns velcro, becomes brittle and breaks off (due to the disassemble binds).
Not anything that is natural, is safe. Just a thought.

thats something that hadn't really occurred to me, thank you for pointing that out.
although i know with anything done to lighten your hair natural or not will cause some damage.

[Sherri]

thats something that hadn't really occurred to me, thank you for pointing that out.
although i know with anything done to lighten your hair natural or not will cause some damage.
I always heard of people saying that coloring hair is damaging but I have never really had a problem with coloring. I stick close to natural color, only color every 3 to 4 months, color roots only and it seemed to help my hair be thicker and have more shine??? I am tring to go back to natural color because of recent perm I have. I don't want to many chemicals on it at once. I don't like the demarcation line I am getting. It is not that noticable but in bugs me.

[hairstyleblogkr]

Here is a great article that tells you how to lighten your hair with lemon juice:

[Torrin Paige]

Do you just spray it on and leave it or wash out in a certain amount of time?

I spray it in and then sit in the sun for awhile while I read...and re-apply when it dries. An hour or two is my usual (but that's because I get caught up in my books. :) ) I always wash it out after because it just needs it...it feels a bit ooky with all the conditioners and is a bit sticky from the lemon juice. Besides, a nice cool shower is always appreciated after sitting outside in the heat.

Oh, and I just use lemon juice out of the bottle in my fridge. If I'm gonna pay the price for real, actual lemons...I'm making lemonade! LOL.

[Katze]

Just a heads up because it doesn't seem to have been emphasized enough...lemon juice is very drying to hair, and, apart from negligable lightening results (it never worked for my hair) also is a sun sensitizer. All citrus oils (and there is lemon oil in lemon juice) are photosensitizers, which mean they increase your skin's reaction to the sun. Believe me, BAD things can happen if you are at all prone to burning.

Having tried sun-in, lemon, and all other "natural" things to try to make my hair lighter, I recommend going to a salon and having professionals do it. It's not worth it, IMO.

[Torrin Paige]

Sherri asked me for the recipe that I use, so I went and mixed up a new batch and this is the approximation:

I'm using a 5 oz bottle (it was the only empty, squirty one I had) so lets do it in tablespoons. 2tbs lemon juice, 3tbs conditioner (the heaviest you have...that's what I use), 2tbs of something glossy (silk drops, gloss drops, frizzease...as long as it's -coney...I figure it protects it from the heat maybe?) and the rest water. I just use regular tap water...but if yours is heavily chlorinated or chock full of iron like our well water was, maybe go bottled). I just shake it up, spray it on, and run a wide toothed comb through my hair. If you want particular sections lighter (like chunky pieces around your face) just saturate those sections. I go for all over just because. I shake it up again before re-applying once it dries...just to make sure the conditioner hasn't settled to the bottom. Good luck! I hope it works as well for you as it does for me!

Also? I'm a strawberry blonde...so I'm blonde already. I just use this to speed up the process my hair goes through every summer. I have no idea how it will work on hair that's not mine, so maybe just do a spot check to make sure it's cool with your hair. I think it'll be fine if your hair is already blonde and you just want brightening. Use with caution. I'd hate it if it did awful things to your hair. If you want good and true highlights, I'd probably go to a pro...that's why they go to school and all! :)