For a gradual change in hair color, hair lighteners work excellent and are easy to use. Lighteners are the most natural way to add dimension to your hair color, without putting in an extreme amount of effort. In addition to this, lighteners are ideal for someone with dirty blonde-to-light brown hair; plus people with darker hair can benefit from hair lighteners too.
Now some might say that people can just visit a salon or buy a cheap hair dye kit. However, salon visits are expensive, and the chemicals in cheap at-home dye is extremely harsh on your hair. So if at-home dye kits and salon visits don't appeal to you, perhaps some store-bought or do-it yourself hair lighteners will do the trick! That being said, here are some of the most common hair lighteners.
Hair Lightening Methods
Sun
The most basic, natural hair lightener is the sun. You have probably noticed how your hair is lighter during the summer months after being outside, sun bathing and/or swimming. This is because it's the opposite of your skin since your hair gets lighter instead of getting darker.All you need to do is lay out in the sun with your hair fanned-out above your head to soak up the rays. Don't forget to wear sunblock on your skin, and if you have ever experienced sunburn on the scalp, try investing in an oil-free sunblock to apply to your scalp. Assuming you're planning on swimming or exercising, reapply the sun block frequently throughout the day.
If your hair is dark, try swimming in a pool treated with chlorine before sunbathing to speed up the natural lightening process. You can also try swimming in an ocean, lake, pond, or any other body of water to have the same effect over a slightly longer amount of time.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a bleaching agent, as well as a hair lightener, and has been used for many years. It's not the chosen method for everyone, but it isn't as harsh as a do-it-yourself box of hair dye, or costly like a visit to the salon (Salon vs. At-Home Hair Color). If you're inexperienced in bleaching hair with hydrogen peroxide, there are peroxide-based bleaching kits at local beauty stores that include directions for you to follow.Before spraying a bottle of peroxide onto your hair, do a strand test on a small section of hair located on the back of your head. It's important to perform a strand test 24 hours before bleaching the rest of your hair to avoid allergic reactions, and to also know how long to let the peroxide process on your hair. Always use hydrogen peroxide in well-ventilated rooms, and the same goes for every other hair coloring treatment. Also, never use any kind of home cleaning bleach product on your hair because it could severely damage your skin and hair.
Tea
The women of the world have been working hard on unique ways to change their hair color and enhance their natural beauty. A product of this effort includes tea, which is amazing because it can be used to lighten dark hair, as well as darken blonde hair. To use it, all you need is the average, run-of-the-mill tea that you drink. Steep your hot tea and allow it to cool; then apply it to your hair with a sprits bottle, and allow your hair to dry under natural sunlight. Be sure that your hair has been shampooed and conditioned prior to using the tea.Lemon
Using lemon is the most common way to lighten hair naturally at home. Lemon juice needs to be diluted with water before it is applied to hair because it's very acidic, which causes hair to become dry and brittle. Also, it has been known to cause some women's hair to appear gray when not diluted enough. For a safe way to achieve a naturally lightened hair color, add one tablespoon of lemon juice to one gallon of water. You can either use this solution as a standard rinse, or combine with other ingredients for more effective results.If you choose to use the diluted lemon juice solution alone to lighten your hair, rinse your hair with the solution once a day; you will gradually see a change in your hair's color. Once you've noticed your hair becoming lighter, reduce the amount of lemon juice in the water.
Lemon Juice Concentrated
For a more abrasive approach to lightening hair, use concentrated lemon juice contained in a spray bottle. Whenever you go swimming outdoors, make sure to have your spray bottle full of concentrated lemon juice handy, and spray your hair every time you step out of the water, then let your hair dry. Once your hair is dry, get back in the water and repeat the process as many times as you want. Just remember that lemon juice is acidic, and can cause hair to become dry and brittle.Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
You can throw in some nutrients while lightening your hair when you add some olive oil to lemon juice. This way, you will be fighting off damage at the same time you are lightening your hair.Chamomile Tea and Lemon
Use Lemon juice in combination with chamomile tea for a bleaching effect. Use the two ingredients together as a rinse for best results.Lemon Juice and Conditioner
If you have 20-30 minutes to spare, use hair conditioner to dilute lemon juice, and apply the solution to your hair using a comb or brush. Let it process on your hair for 20 or so minutes, and then shampoo as normal. Do this a few times to get natural-looking, lighter hair.Rhubarb
Rhubarb isn't just for pie anymore! Use it to lighten your hair by taking a 0.5 cup of freshly chopped rhubarb, and mix it with 2 cups of boiling hot water. Let the mixture cool and strain it into a container; then use this as a rinse on your hair.Once you've lightened your hair, it's important to use color-treated-specific products to maintain the health of your hair.
