True or false: Sitting out in the sun can cause you hair to lighten over time.

If you guessed “true,” pat yourself on the back for a job well done. While the sun can lighten hair of any color shade, darker hair reflects more subtle changes. If you like your hair color and shade just the way it is, wear a hat when you’re out in the summer sun. Or, if you want to enhance the lightening effect, using a little lemon is just one of a few ways to get the job nicely.

How to Lighten Hair in the Sun

Melanin is the pigment that gives color to skin, eyes, and hair. Sun bleaches out the melanin in hair, causing it to lighten. At the same time, prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays can damage other hair proteins, thus making it dry, brittle, and less manageable – so proceed with caution.

If you spend enough time in the sun, your hair will eventually become lighter on its own. But for safer and better results, enlist the help of a commercial hair lightening product, salt spray, or lemon juice. Exposure to chlorine and salt water also can lighten hair color by altering keratin levels.

• Lighten with lemon juice. Mix one part juice from fresh lemons (not the bottled stuff) with two parts water into a clean spray bottle. Dampen the sections of hair you want highlighted and spray the mixture onto your hair. Sit in the sun for 1 – 2 hours to activate the lemon juice, then rinse thoroughly and condition to lock in moisture. It’s important to note that the combination of lemon and sun can burn hair if you’re not careful, so less is more.
• Make a salt spray. Dissolve one tablespoon of salt in one cup or warm water, then pour the liquid into a clean spray bottle. Spray the solution on the parts of your hair you wish to lighten, sit in the sun for 15 minutes, rinse, and condition. Once again, use caution, as salt can dry our hair – so be sure to moisturize afterwards.
• If you prefer over-the-counter- products, choose those with natural ingredients and avoid any products that contains hydrogen peroxide.

Isn’t nice to have a lush, full head of hair where you can ever consider lightening it? Andi isn’t it a bit of downer when you don’t. Well, whatever you care do with your hair, the first step is restoring what you’ve lost through a hair transplant. If you’ve even thought about making such a move but have certain reservations, we can help you get past those and give you back what you’ve lost. To find out how and what the process involves, contact DiStefano Hair Restoration Center today a free initial consultation with our team of medical experts.