Hair growth is not easy. Slow hair growth can be disappointing, especially when months go by, and your hair only seems to have grown by an inch. It is an issue many of us are familiar with and don’t know what to do about. But did you know that lemon could help?
Lemon has long been used in hair care remedies and hair masks to improve hair health. Not only does it boost hair growth, but it also helps curb and forestall graying. How does lemon do it? Read on to find out.
Benefits Of Lemon For Hair Growth
Lemons are packed with nutrients, such as citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, pectin, and flavonoids (1), (2). A lot of people are hesitant about putting lemon in their hair because of myths that claim it turns your hair gray, but that does not happen if you use it in moderation. Here’s why you should be putting lemon in your hair:
- Lemons are rich in vitamin C. This vitamin can improve the rate at which your hair grows by boosting the production of collagen (3), (4).
- It helps clean the scalp and unclog hair follicles. Clogging of the follicles often leads to issues, such as dandruff and hair fall.
- Lemon has antifungal properties (5). This can help maintain scalp health and curb issues like dandruff and scalp acne (6).
- It helps control the production of oil on your scalp.
- The following are seven ways in which you can use lemon to boost hair growth.
How To Use Lemon Juice For Hair Growth
1. Lemon Juice Treatment For Hair Growth
This treatment works well for people with oily hair. It gives your scalp a collagen boost, which, in turn, influences hair growth.
You Will Need
1/2 lemon
Processing Time
15 minutes
Process
- Squeeze the juice out of half a freshly cut lemon in a bowl.
- Massage your scalp with the juice for 5 minutes and then leave it in for an additional 10 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and condition.
How Often?
Once a week.
2. Lemon Shampoo For Hair Growth
This hair pack is perfect for people who want to cover grays while boosting hair growth. Henna is a natural dye that contributes towards maintaining scalp health and reduces premature graying of hair and dandruff (7).
You Will Need
- 5 tablespoons pure henna powder
- 1 whole egg
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/2 lemon
Processing Time
1-2 hours
Process
- Combine the henna powder, egg, and warm water in a bowl until you get a thick paste.
- Squeeze the juice from one half of a freshly cut lemon into this mixture.
- Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp and leave it in until it dries. This should take 1-2 hours.
- Rinse the mixture out under cool running water.
How Often?
Once a month
3. Lemon Juice And Coconut Water
Coconut water has antioxidant properties (8). It helps prevent oxidative damage to the hair.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon coconut water
Processing Time
20 minutes
Process
- Combine equal parts of coconut water and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Massage the mixture into your scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Wash it out with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
4. Lemon With Castor Oil And Olive Oil For Hair Growth
Anecdotal evidence suggests that castor oil can boost hair growth. In combination with olive oil, it helps repair damage, minimizes breakage, and improves the overall health of your hair. However, there is no scientific backing to this remedy.
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- 4-5 drops lemon essential oil
Processing Time
45 minutes
Process
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl and heat it until slightly warm.
- Massage the oil blend into your scalp for about 15 minutes.
- Leave the oil in your hair for an additional 30 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
5. Lemon Rinse For Hair Growth
The lemon juice helps thoroughly cleanse your scalp, gives it a collagen boost, and strengthens hair follicles.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cups water
Processing Time
5 minutes
Process
- Dilute a tablespoon of lemon juice with two cups of water in a jug and set it aside.
- Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and condition it.
- Pour the diluted lemon juice through your hair as a final rinse.
- Do not rinse your hair further.
How Often?
Once a week.
6. Lemon Juice And Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an excellent conditioning ingredient that improves scalp health with its antimicrobial properties (9).
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons pure aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process
- Mix the aloe vera gel and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Apply this to your scalp and hair until they are fully covered in the mixture.
- Leave the mixture on for 30 minutes and then rinse it out with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
1-2 times a week.
7. Lemon And Honey Hair Mask
Honey works with the olive oil to seal the moisture in your hair shaft (10). It also helps reduce dandruff (11). Rosemary essential oil soothes your scalp and keeps it healthy and induces hair growth (12). This pack may also add some subtle highlights to your hair while making it smooth and silky.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3-4 drops rosemary essential oil
Processing Time
20 minutes
Process
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl.
- Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair until they are fully covered in it.
- Keep it on for 20 minutes.
- Wash it out with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
Remember that lemon juice may cause skin irritation in a few people. Hence, do a patch test before applying it to your hair and scalp. Lemon juice also makes your skin sensitive to the sun. Apply sunscreen or a protective conditioner or spray before you step out. Prep your hair care routine with these remedies to see boosted hair growth. If you experience any adverse effects after using any of the above remedies, contact a dermatologist immediately.