Mum, Can I Put Lemon Juice in My Hair?

By Katie Snowden, www.katie.es

Hello my lovelies

So the other day, I was minding my own business, tidying up the salon, when my 12 year old daughter popped in with a very serious question.

“Mum,” she said, “can I put lemon juice in my hair to make it lighter?”

I paused. Not because I was surprised, after all, I was 12 once too, but because I could already see the wheels turning in her head, full of Pinterest ideas and TikTok wisdom.

Before I could answer, she added, “Or what about toothpaste? Or maybe vinegar?”

Oh dear.

Let’s just say, if my daughter had her way, she’d have a whole salad dressing aisle poured over her head before breakfast.

The Lemon Juice Question

Let’s start with the classic. Lemon juice has been a go to home remedy for lightening hair in the sun for decades. Yes, it can work. The citric acid in lemons opens the hair cuticle and when exposed to UV light, it can lighten the pigment in your strands.

But here’s the catch. It’s not exactly hair friendly. Lemon juice is highly acidic, and without proper care, it can dry out your hair, especially when mixed with sun exposure. Think brittle ends, frizz, and that crunchy texture no one ever asks for.

Not exactly the soft, sun kissed beach waves my daughter had in mind.

Other Gems from My Young Inventor

Toothpaste “Some girl on TikTok said it works on hair too.” That girl needs to stay in school. Toothpaste might make your teeth sparkle, but it’s not designed for your scalp. Or your roots. Or your extensions. Or anything that isn’t actually a tooth.

Vinegar Yes, vinegar has been used in hair care routines for centuries, but mostly to balance pH and add shine. Lighten your hair? Not unless your hair is scared of salad dressing.

Saltwater “Can I just go in the sea every day?” Actually, she’s not completely wrong here. Saltwater and sun can give hair a naturally lighter, textured look over time. But again, if not followed by some proper care and hydration, your hair will feel like a beach broom.

What I Told Her (and What I’d Tell You Too)

I love that she’s curious. I love that she wants to experiment. But I also love her hair and don’t particularly want to see it turn to straw before secondary school starts again.

So we compromised.

We talked about safe ways to lighten hair, like using gentle lightening sprays or leaving it to the professionals who won’t use condiments as colourants. I told her that healthy hair always looks better than fried hair, no matter how light it is.

And yes, I promised to give her some natural sun kissed highlights in the salon. No lemons required.

A Little Message to All the Young Beauties Out There

If you’re feeling inspired to try some DIY magic, please ask someone who actually does hair for a living. Google is full of ideas, but not all of them are good ones. I’m looking at you, girl who used hydrogen peroxide and ended up orange.

And to all the mums reading this, if your little one comes at you with a bottle of lemon juice and a plan, just breathe. Remember we probably did the same thing at her age. But now we know better, and we can guide them with love, laughter, and a good conditioning treatment.

If your mini me wants to change up her hair and you’d rather keep the citrus in the kitchen, bring her by the salon or get in touch at www.katie.es. I promise to treat her like the queen she is, just with less vinegar.

Katie x