L emon is a versatile fruit that offers many benefits for health, skin, and hair. It is sometimes called the "magic fruit" because of its powerful properties. Many personal care products contain lemon as an ingredient to improve hair quality. Lemon can stimulate hair growth and prevent premature graying. But how does lemon do that and is it really good for hair? Read on to find out. — Worldculturepost
Key Takeaways
- The high levels of vitamins and minerals in lemon juice help boost collagen and improve hair growth.
- It can also cleanse your scalp, remove any buildup and help you reduce dandruff and hair fall.
- It can be combined with other components like honey, olive oil, and coconut oil to make homemade masks that hydrate your hair.
- Avoid using too much lemon as it can cause irritation and remember to dilute it.
Hair Treatment with Lemon |
Why Lemon Is Good For Hair Growth
Lemon is rich in nutrients, such as citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, pectin, and flavonoids. Some people are wary of using lemon on their hair because of myths that say it can make your hair gray, but that is not true if you use it moderately. Here are some reasons why you should use lemon on your hair:
Lemon For Hair Growth
- Lemon contains vitamin C, which can enhance hair growth by increasing collagen production.
- It helps cleanse the scalp and remove hair follicle blockages. This can prevent problems like dandruff and hair loss.
- Lemon has antifungal properties, which can keep the scalp healthy and reduce issues like dandruff and scalp acne.
- It helps regulate the oil production on your scalp.
Tinta, a vlogger, shared her experience of using a mixture of lemon juice and guava water to treat her dandruff in a video. She said, "It was squeaky clean. The itchiness actually lessened a lot."
The following are seven ways to use lemon to boost hair growth.
How To Use Lemon Juice For Hair Growth
01. Lemon Juice Treatment For Hair Growth
This treatment is suitable for people with oily and greasy hair. It gives your scalp a collagen boost, which affects hair growth.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lemon
Processing Time
- 15 minutes
Process
- Squeeze the juice of half a fresh lemon into a bowl.
- Massage your scalp with the juice for 5 minutes and then let it sit for another 10 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and condition.
How Often?
Use once a week to maintain scalp and hair pH balance.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure after applying lemon juice to your hair because it may weaken the bonds and cause hair lightening.
02. Lemon Shampoo For Hair Growth
This hair pack is ideal for people who want to hide grays while promoting hair growth. Henna is a natural colorant that helps maintain scalp health and prevents early graying of hair and dandruff.
Ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons pure henna powder
- 1 whole egg
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/2 lemon
Processing Time
- 1-2 hours
Process
- Mix the henna powder, egg, and warm water in a bowl until you get a thick paste.
- Squeeze the juice from one half of a fresh lemon into this paste.
- Apply this paste to your hair and scalp and let it dry. This should take 1-2 hours.
- Rinse the paste out with cool running water.
How Often?
Use once a month for hair conditioning and hiding grays.
03. Lemon Juice And Coconut Water
Coconut water has antioxidant properties. It helps protect the hair from oxidative damage.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon coconut water
Processing Time
- 20 minutes
Process
- Mix equal parts of coconut water and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Massage the mixture into your scalp and leave it for 20 minutes.
- Wash it off with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
04. Lemon With Castor Oil And Olive Oil For Hair Growth
Some people claim that castor oil can increase hair growth and improve scalp health. When combined with olive oil, it helps with hair repair, reduces breakage, adds hair shine, and enhances the overall health of your hair. It can also improve hair porosity and hair elasticity. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this natural remedy.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- 4-5 drops lemon essential oil
Processing Time
- 45 minutes
Process
- Put the ingredients in a bowl and heat it until slightly warm.
- Massage the hair strengthening oil blend into your scalp for about 15 minutes.
- Keep the oil in your hair for another 30 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
Use 2-3 times a week for complete hair nourishment.
05. Lemon Rinse For Hair Growth
Some people believe that lemon juice can cleanse the scalp and hair. It also increases collagen production in the scalp and fortifies hair follicles.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cups water
Processing Time
- 5 minutes
Process
- Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to two cups of water in a jug and keep it aside.
- Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and condition it.
- Use the diluted lemon juice as a final rinse for your hair.
- Do not wash your hair again.
How Often?
Once a week.
06. Lemon Juice And Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a great conditioning agent that enhances scalp health with its antimicrobial properties.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons pure aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Processing Time
- 30 minutes
Process
- Combine the aloe vera gel and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Spread this hair smoothing mixture on your scalp and hair until they are fully coated in the mixture.
- Keep the mixture on for 30 minutes and then wash it off with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
Use 1-2 times a week for better hair texture and scalp and hair conditioning.
07. Lemon And Honey Hair Mask
Honey and olive oil work together to lock the moisture in your hair shaft. It may also assist with dandruff treatment. Rosemary essential oil calms your scalp and keeps it healthy and stimulates hair growth. This pack may also give your hair some subtle highlights while making it smooth and silky.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3-4 drops rosemary essential oil
Processing Time
- 20 minutes
Process
- Blend the ingredients in a bowl.
- Spread this hair hydrating mixture on your scalp and hair until they are fully coated in it.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse it off with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
Use once a week for hair moisturization and softening.
Lemon juice is very acidic. Applying it directly to your hair may cause irritation. Therefore, make sure to dilute it before using it to prevent adverse reactions.
Before you use any of these remedies for hair growth, here are a few things you should know.
Side Effects Of Lemon On Hair
The research on the side effects of using lemon on hair and skin are scarce. However, you may experience irritation and redness after using lemon juice if you are allergic to it or any citrus fruit. Therefore, always do a patch test before using lemon topically for the first time.
Also, some people report that using lemon juice for hair care may lead to dryness, breakage, damage, and brittle hair. This may be due to the pH of lemon juice, which is 2.2. It means that the juice is acidic in nature. Lemon juice may also make your scalp and skin more sensitive to UV rays and lead to phytophotodermatitis (redness, blisters, and hyperpigmentation. Therefore, avoid sitting in the sun after using it.
In Summary
Lemon is a key ingredient in various personal and healthcare products. It is said to induce freshness and rejuvenation. Similarly, lemon is used in hair care routines to keep the scalp clean, unclogged, and provide hair protection. It has antifungal properties and is rich in vitamins. In the infographic below, find the top 7 ways to use lemon in your hair care routine to aid hair growth, based on your hair type and requirement.
Lemon is a common ingredient used in various cosmetics and haircare products. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids that promote collagen production, unclog your pores, cleanse the scalp, and boost hair volume. You can use lemon for your hair in combination with natural ingredients such as castor and olive oil, aloe vera, coconut water, or honey. Make sure that you do a patch test before using any of these ingredients. If you experience any adverse effects, stop using it immediately and consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply lemon on oiled hair?
No. Oil creates a film on your hair strands, which prevents lemon juice from reaching the strands.
Can I mix coconut oil with lemon juice?
Yes. You can heat coconut oil with lemon juice before applying it to your scalp.
Does lemon juice lighten gray hair?
Yes. Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent and lightens gray hair.