Can Lemon Make My Skin Lighter?

Lemons are known to have astringent, exfoliating and bleaching properties. Lightening the skin is possible using lemon but sensitive skin can be irritated by the combination of lemon juice and sun. Caution should be used when combining lemon juice and the sun.

Lemon As Bleach

• Lemons can be used to bleach the skin as well as linen and muslin fabrics because of the citric acid it contains. Rub hands front and back with a cut lemon to remove stains, lighten the skin and keep them soft. Fabrics will need to be soaked in lemon water and then placed in the sun to see results.

Hair Lightener

• Lemons are an inexpensive alternative to products that add highlights and lighten hair. Squeeze lemon juice on damp hair and sit under the sunlight to get the best lightening benefits. Lemon is also astringent so doing this repeatedly may dry out the hair.

Lemon Used Outside

• The combination of ultraviolet rays, oxygen in the atmosphere and the citric acid in the lemon juice are what causes the lightening process on hair. Lemon juice placed on the hair that is never exposed to sunlight does not lighten.

Lighten Dark Elbows

• The lemon contains acid that helps break down the dark spots found on elbows. Cut a lemon in half and place an elbow in each half. Leave on for 10 minutes.

Lighten Age Spots

• Lemon exfoliates as well as lightens the skin. Exfoliating dead skin cells from age spots causes them to appear lighter.