Changing your hair color is a great way to transform your look and express your individuality, but it can also be expensive and damaging to your hair. Fortunately, there are many natural methods for lightening your hair that are both affordable and gentle on your strands. Whether you want to add subtle highlights or go full blonde, there are a variety of techniques you can try at home using common ingredients found in your kitchen or local health food store. So if you’re ready to achieve your dream hair color without harsh chemicals or expensive salon visits, read on!
Why Use Natural Hair Lighteners?
There are several reasons why someone might choose to use a natural hair lightener instead of a synthetic one:
Healthier for your hair: Many commercial hair lightening products contain harsh chemicals that can damage your hair, causing dryness, breakage, and even hair loss. Natural hair lighteners, on the other hand, are gentler on your hair and scalp, reducing the risk of damage and promoting healthy hair growth.
More affordable: Salon treatments for hair lightening can be expensive, and even drugstore products can add up over time. Natural hair lighteners, such as lemon juice, chamomile tea, and honey, are usually inexpensive and readily available.
Environmentally friendly: Synthetic hair lighteners often contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment, both during production and disposal. Natural hair lighteners, on the other hand, are often biodegradable and have a smaller ecological footprint.
Versatility: Natural hair lighteners come in many different forms and can be customized to your specific hair type and color goals. Whether you want subtle highlights or a dramatic transformation, there is a natural hair lightening method that can work for you.
Lightening Options
Here is a list of natural ingredients that can be used to lighten hair without the use of harsh chemicals.
Lemon Juice
The vitamin C in lemon juice may bleach hair without the use of chemicals.
Lemon juice works best on naturally light or blonde shades.
- Supplies needed: 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 cup water, spray bottle.
- Application: Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Apply to hair, concentrating on root areas. Let dry for a few hours in the sun. Rinse and condition your hair.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Combining chamomile and apple cider vinegar helps to lighten locks naturally.
Apple cider vinegar helps to balance the pH of hair no matter the texture.
- Supplies needed: 1/4 cup chamomile tea, 1/4 cup ACV, squeeze of lemon juice, bowl or spray bottle.
- Application: Combine ingredients in a bowl or spray bottle. Saturate hair. Leave on as long as all day. Going out in the sun may help speed the lightening process. Rinse and style as usual.
Raw Honey
Honey and cinnamon act as “natural hydrogen peroxide boosters.”
Raw honey should be used because processed honey doesn’t contain the same level of active enzymes.
- Supplies needed: 1/4 cup raw honey, 1/2 cup distilled water, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Application: Combine ingredients and let sit for an hour. Apply to damp hair for a few hours overnight. Scale the ingredients depending on how much hair you have. You may need to go through this process 10 or more times for dramatic results.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon alone may lighten hair.
- Supplies needed: 1/2 cup hair conditioner, 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon.
- Application: Combine ingredients into a paste and apply to damp hair. Leave on for three to four hours or overnight, covering your head with a shower cap. Wash and style as usual.
Honey And Vinegar
Plain vinegar and honey can lighten hair in as little as 10 minutes.
- Supplies needed: 2 cups white vinegar, 1 cup raw honey, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon ground cardamom or cinnamon.
- Application: Combine ingredients and apply to damp hair. You may want to comb through your hair for more even distribution. Alternatively, you may apply only to sections where you want highlights. Once applied, wrap your hair in plastic wrap or a shower cap. Leave on for 10 minutes up to overnight before rinsing.
Salt
Plain table salt may help lighten locks.
A dip in the ocean and being in the sun all day is the easiest way to try this method.
- Supplies needed: table salt, water.
- Application: Mix ingredients in a half/half ratio. Leave on for at least 10 minutes, preferably when you’re outside. Rinse or leave in for a beachier texture.
Henna
Henna powder comes from a plant and has been used for thousands of years to stain leather or adorn skin with beautiful designs.
- Supplies needed: 3 tablespoons henna powder, 1/2 cup boiling water.
- Application: Combine ingredients into a paste to sit overnight. Apply to hair for two to three hours. Cover hair with a shower cap to protect your scalp and clothing from being dyed. Then rinse and style.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Using straight hydrogen peroxide is another option that may also provide more noticeable results to darker hair.
- Supplies needed: 3 percent hydrogen
Precaution
Before applying any natural lightener to your hair, it is important to conduct a strand test to avoid any potential irritation or allergic reaction and to ensure that you are satisfied with the resulting color.
To conduct the test, take a small section of hair, preferably underneath the top layer, and apply a small amount of the desired lightener. Leave it on for the recommended time, then rinse it off and examine for any reactions on your skin or scalp. It is also important to evaluate the level of lightness and overall color to determine if you are satisfied with the results.
Although some at-home methods may temporarily affect your hair’s condition, chemicals like bleach can damage your hair. It is essential to use a deep conditioner to maintain your hair’s moisture and manageability, particularly if you intend to repeat the process to obtain additional highlights over time.
Several highlighting methods recommend spending prolonged periods outside to take advantage of the sun’s added bleaching benefits. Ensure that you protect your skin by applying a high-quality sunscreen.
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