How To Lighten Hair at Home Safely – Easy DIY Methods

Looking to brighten your hair without a trip to the salon? Natural hair lightening methods have been used for generations and it offers a gentler alternative to chemical processing. These easy DIY techniques can help you to achieve lighter shade while keeping your hair healthier.

How Natural Hair Lightening Works

It’s important to know how natural lightening works before considering specific methods that can effectively do that. Unlike commercial bleach that removes your hair color quickly, natural lighteners work in a gradual manner by opening the hair cuticle to gently break down melanin. Melanin is your hair’s natural pigment. This gentler approach by natural lighteners will prevent damage, though it requires patience for noticeable results.

Natural lightening methods usually work best on light to medium brown hair and can also enhance existing blonde tones. If you have dark hair, expect more subtle changes – it could be warm or reddish undertones instead of the true blonde result others might get. It takes time and might not be as fast as lightning products like the Juvexin Lightening Powder+.

Who Can Benefit from Natural Lightening?

Like I said, not everyone will get the exact result natural lightening gives. While it might not completely work well for some, natural lightening works well for:

• People that want to refresh hair color between salon visits
• Those that want to test lighter hair before they commit to a permanent color
• People with damaged hair but needs a break from chemicals
• Anyone with light to medium brown hair but wants the subtle highlights natural lightening gives

The Lemon Juice Method: Sunshine in a Bottle

Sometimes, the least expected can be the most effective. Lemon juice contains citric acid, a natural bleaching agent that can lighten hair when activated by sunlight. The acid opens the hair cuticles and then enhances the natural lightening process when exposed to the light. This method has been used for decades as a simple way to achieve the natural-looking highlights.

How to Use Lemon Juice to Lighten Hair

1. Mix fresh lemon juice with equal parts water in a spray bottle
2. Make the hair wet and them apply the mixture
3. Sit in the sun for 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t forget to use sunscreen
4. Rinse thoroughly and condition the hair when you are done

It is advisable to deep condition after this treatment because of the drying nature of lemon juice. If you have a very sensitive scalp, don’t use this method.

Honey and Cinnamon: A Sweet Lightening Solution

Unlike the previous method, this delicious-smelling treatment both lightens and conditions your hair at the same time. You wonder how this happened? Honey contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a natural lightening agent. When you combine it with cinnamon, the reaction will increase and then create a gentle and effective lightening treatment.

How to Make and Apply Honey and Cinnamon Solution

1. Mix 2 tablespoon of raw honey with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
2. Add a small amount of olive oil
3. Mix in some conditioner to make it easy to apply
4. Keep the mixture for 30 minutes
5. Apply it to your damp, detangled hair
6. Cover the hair with a shower cap and leave it for 4-8 hours (leaving it overnight works better)
7. Rinse it very well to remove all products

This method will not only lighten but deep conditions your hair because after application, your hair will be softer and more manageable.

Baking Soda: Basic Yet Effective

Baking soda lightens the hair through its mildly abrasive and alkaline properties that can help lift pigment over time.

How to Make and Apply the Basic Baking Soda Method

1. Create a paste by mixing ½ cup of baking soda with warm water
2. Apply the mixture to your hair evenly from roots to ends
3. Leave on for about 15 to 20 minutes
4. Rinse it thoroughly and condition your hair immediately

This treatment is not immediate but must be done too often. Use it once every 7-10 days because too much of it may cause dryness. However, the gradual lightening process will allow you to control how light you want to go with. You can also combine lemon juice to the mixture to provide prevention against hair damage.

How to Care for Naturally Lightened Hair

After lightening your hair through any natural method, proper care is essential to maintain both color and health.

Hydration is Important

Lightening processes can be drying so you need to increase your conditioning routine. You can use the Moisturizing Shampoo which contains natural oils to replenish moisture without weighing hair down. Follow this process with a weekly deep conditioner treatment like GK Hair’s Deep Conditioner Treatment to restore protein and moisture balance.

Protect Your New Color

Natural lightening can fade if not given proper care. Reduce the amount of time you wash your hair 2 to 3 times per week and protect it from chlorine and salt water. A leave-in UV protectant shield can help preserve your color when you are outdoors.

Gentle Handling

You need to care for your natural lightened hair properly. Use wide-tooth combs instead of brushes when hair is wet and reduce heat styling as much as possible. If you are to use heat, apply a thermal protectant to prevent damage.

Final Thoughts

Lightening your hair at home using natural methods is safe and affordable when compared to chemical treatments. Stay consistent and patient with the method you have chosen because results will only build over time. 

Always maintain good hair care habits so that you can achieve lighter, brighter strands without leaving your home.