How to Use Home Remedies to Lighten Hair

Lighten your hair naturally.

If you want to lighten your hair but don't want to go to a salon or use harsh chemicals, do it yourself using a natural method. Proceed carefully, as some home remedies can be drying to your hair and some produce dramatic effects that may not be what you had in mind. Choose a method suited to the color of your hair and final look you want to achieve.

Instructions

1. Chamomile is a flower that has a mild bleaching effect on hair and makes it shine. Make a tea by steeping 4 tbsp. of chamomile in 2/3 cup of boiling water. Allow it to cool. Brush the chamomile into your hair and go out in the sun until it dries. Chamomile works well for for light brown hair. If you have darker hair, try rosemary or lavender flowers instead.

2. Lemon juice is the most common of the home remedies for lightening hair and gives a natural, sun-kissed look. The truth is, most citrus fruits can lighten your hair. Mix 4 tbsp. of lemon juice with 2/3 cup of cool water. Brush or spray the mixture into your hair and sit in the sun until it dries. Using too much can dry out your hair, so reduce the amount of lemon juice if your hair is easily damaged.

3. Fresh rhubarb lightens hair better than rhubarb that has been frozen or preserved in some way. Add ¼ cup of chopped rhubarb to 1 cup of boiling water. Allow it to cool. Strain out the rhubarb and discard. Brush or spray the mixture into your hair and allow it to dry.

4. Honey is a natural beauty remedy that is often used in homemade cosmetics and hair care products since it is very hydrating to skin and hair. It also has a mild bleaching action. You can add honey to your regular shampoo to subtly lighten hair over time.

5. If you are looking for a more dramatic effect, then hydrogen peroxide is the answer. Put a cup of 6 percent hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Evenly spray the area of your hair that you want lightened. Use a hair drier to dry your hair. Repeat until you achieve the look you want. Be careful not to overapply the peroxide since it can lighten light brown hair very quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• Any home remedy will have a more dramatic lightening affect when used in combination with the sun!

References

• "Milady's Standard Textbook of Professional Barber-Styling"; Milady; 1998
• "Beauty by Nature"; Brigitte Mars; 2006