How to Use Homemade Products to Lighten Hair

Lighten hair at home without the use of potentially harmful chemicals.

Achieving a sun-kissed look on blonde or darker hair can be an expensive venture. It may require trips to the salon to have the hair chemically lightened. According to Surviving Hair Loss, many commercial hair dyes contain the ingredient PPD, or para-phenylenediamine, which is considered an allergen and may cause reactions such as redness, headaches, itching and burning. Hair-lightening products can be made at home to gradually lighten the hair without the need for potentially dangerous chemicals.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 tbsp. regular conditioner
• Wide-toothed comb
• Plastic cling wrap
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup water
• Plastic spray bottle

Instructions

Honey Hair Lightener

1. Combine 3/4 cups honey with 1 tbsp. regular conditioner.

2. Wet the hair with water and wring out the majority of the liquid until the hair is damp, not soaking wet.

3. Apply the honey and hair conditioner mixture to the hair, making sure to work it from the roots to the ends with a wide-toothed comb.

4. Wrap your hair with plastic cling wrap to keep it secure.

5. Allow the mixture to sit for eight hours and rinse with warm water.

Lemon Juice Lightener

1. Combine 1 cup lemon juice with 1/3 cup water in a plastic spray bottle.

2. Spray the mixture onto dirty hair and allow it to sit for two minutes. Cleaning the hair before using the lemon juice mixture will strip the hair of its natural oils. These oils can protect the scalp and hair from the potentially drying effects of the lemon juice.

3. Step out into the sun. Take a walk or sunbathe and allow the lemon juice to react with the sunlight to lighten the hair. The more time spent in the sun, the lighter the hair will become.

4. Repeat application of the lemon juice mixture once a day until the desired effect is reached.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray the lemon juice mixture onto select strands of the hair to create a streaked effect.

References

• Natural Beauty: Natural Ways to Lighten Your Hair
• Hair Style: Hair Care