Lemon oil, obtained by cold pressing citrus peels, is used to improve the condition of curls and scalp. The essential product, due to its regenerative properties and pleasant aroma, is used as a component of medicinal and hair care products.
Essential oil composition
Lemon peel, from which the essential extract is made, has a unique and valuable composition.
Cold-pressed technology allows you to maximally preserve the complex of nutrients in the resulting oil:
- vitamins - A, B, C, E and PP, among which ascorbic acid occupies a dominant place;
- mineral components - iron, copper, zinc, potassium, silicon, phosphorus;
- organic acids and monosaccharides;
- carotene, pectins and dietary fiber.
Lemon oil for hair is itself an antioxidant.
It has:
| Colour | light yellow |
| Scent | citrus, sour with bitterness |
| Consistency | liquid with light texture |
The benefits of hair oil
The essential oil of the fruit of the lemon tree has a variety of beneficial properties:
- Normalizes excessive sebum production in people with oily hair.
- Strengthens hair follicles.
- Makes hair structure less brittle in length and at ends.
- Eliminates dandruff.
- Lightens hair safely and naturally.
- Helps moisturize curls.
- Stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss.
- Adds thickness to the hair.
- Facilitates combing, makes curls silky and manageable.
- Prolongs fresh hair and imparts a light citrus scent (aromatherapy).
Additional benefits include giving your hair a healthy shine and protecting the scalp from skin infections and diseases.
Potential harm
People with sensitive skin and possible allergic reactions should start using citrus ester at low doses. You must first read the instructions with the exact indication of the number of drops or ml permissible for use. Even a small overdose can cause harm - from redness and a slight burning sensation up to burn foci on the skin.
Indications for use
It is recommended to use lemon oil for hair in case of the following problems with hair or the epithelial layer of the head:
- Brittleness and dryness.
- Seborrhea and itching.
- Excessive fat content, rapid pollution due to improper functioning of the sebaceous glands.
- Hair loss, weak bulbs.
- Alopecia areata.
- Slow growth of curls.
- Split ends.
- Dull and unhealthy hair.
- Infections and diseases of the epidermis.
Lemon ester can also be used prophylactically to maintain a healthy and attractive hairstyle.
Contraindications
There are few contraindications to the use of lemon ether:
- the oil should be used with caution during periods of childbearing and breastfeeding;
- under the supervision of doctors and parents - for children under 14;
- do not use with individual intolerance to essential pomace, citrus fruits and the constituent components of the oil (for example, ascorbic acid);
- allergic reactions;
- do not use for skin diseases (weeping eczema, atopic dermatitis on the scalp, psoriasis);
- during periods of exacerbation of chronic and infectious diseases, including problems with the respiratory system (since lemon ether has a pronounced aroma).
Precautions when using hair oil
Lemon oil for hair is not applied in its pure form, it must be mixed or dissolved in the base oil.
Suitable base oils include:
- peach;
- olive;
- castor;
- grape seed oil;
- burdock;
- jojoba.
To check for a possible allergic reaction, it is imperative to conduct a test:
| 1. | a drop of lemon ether is mixed with 1 tsp. base funds; |
| 2. | a small amount of the resulting mixture is rubbed into the skin on the elbow or wrist; |
| 3. | the reaction of the epithelium should be monitored for 24-48 hours; |
| 4. | if no negative reaction followed, you can safely apply lemon oil. |
Gloves should be worn when mixing lemon ether and base.
Instructions and methods of application
Finished cosmetic or pharmaceutical products containing lemon ether must have instructions for use. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and the specific method of application in order not to get burned and not harm the epithelium of the head and hair.
| the washing up | Add 1-2 drops of oil to a single portion of shampoo or balm just before application, use after 2-3 shampoos. |
| Rinsing | Dissolve a mixture of 3 drops of citrus ether and 1 tsp in 1 liter of warm boiled water. base oil, shake well before rinsing, use no more than 2 times a week. |
| Masks | Depending on the composition of the mask, add ether in strict accordance with the proportions and instructions. |
| Aroma combing | Apply 2-4 drops of oil to the comb and run through the hair. |
Lemon oil is not added to the water undiluted, since the highly concentrated oily composition floats to the surface and does not dissolve.
Homemade oil mask recipes
Depending on the purposes of use and the initial state of the curls and the epithelial layer of the head, the optimal composition of masks, the time and frequency of their application are selected. If you experience any discomfort, rinse your hair immediately. It is not recommended to apply any mask with lemon oil for more than 1 hour.
Moisturizing
Dry and brittle hair especially needs moisture. Mix 2-3 drops of lemon ether with 2 tbsp. olive oil. The mixture is applied with a brush from roots to ends, then the hair must be tucked into a plastic cap and wrapped in a towel. After 30-40 minutes, rinse first with cool water and then with shampoo.
To accelerate hair growth
In equal proportions, depending on the thickness and length of the hair, mix 2-3 tsp. wheat germ and almond oils, warm to a slightly warm state in a water bath. Then enrich the composition with 4-6 drops of lemon ether. When applying the oil mixture, pay special attention to the root zone of the head. Leave the mask for half an hour under cellophane and a towel, creating a sauna effect for the hair.
To add volume to hair
A homemade mask made from:
- castor oil (1 tablespoon);
- honey (tbsp);
- cognac (1 tsp);
- lemon oil (5-6 drops).
The composition is applied mainly to the hair roots (3/4), the residues are distributed along the length (1/4). Leave the mask for 20-30 minutes.
Nutritious
To nourish your hair, pay attention to a mixture of citrus ester and valuable oils such as coconut or macadamia nut. For 1 tbsp. base add 2-3 drops of essential oil. The nutrient mixture must be distributed along the length of the hair and left on for up to 45 minutes.
Dandruff
Seborrhea will go away with an integrated approach: it is necessary to add 1-2 drops of lemon oil to the shampoo once a week + take a course of homemade masks (2 times a week for a month).
The mask can be made from:
- 60 ml of honey;
- ½ tsp birch tar;
- 6 drops of lemon oil.
The honey should be of liquid consistency. The mixture is applied to the scalp under a plastic wrap and a towel for up to 30 minutes. The hair is then washed in the usual way.
Hair loss
To prepare the mask, beat 1 egg, add finely chopped gruel ½ medium onion, burdock oil (2 tbsp) and ½ tsp each. lemon oil and aloe juice. Apply the composition abundantly to the roots, leave for up to 60 minutes under a cellophane cap insulated with a towel on top. When washing your hair, first turn on room temperature water to prevent the egg from curling in your hair.
Combing hair with essential oil
Aroma combing is not only beneficial for the hairstyle, but also a pleasant procedure for the sense of smell. Ventilate the room before directly applying ether oil (2-4 drops) to a wooden comb with sparse teeth. You can also apply ether to a natural bristle brush if your hair is thick.
It is recommended to comb the curls after shampooing without blow-drying. Hair can be completely dry or slightly damp. The movement with the comb must start from the roots and smoothly reach the ends. The aroma-combing procedure is carried out twice a week for 5-7 minutes. The positive effect in the form of transformed smooth strands will be noticeable after 3-4 times.
Head massage with essential oil
A head massage with lemon oil will help improve blood microcirculation and nutrition of the follicles. To 2 tbsp. any transport oil (for example, castor or coconut) add a few drops of ether (5-6). The mixture should be at room temperature, not hot. The composition is rubbed into the scalp with massage movements for 10 minutes.
After that, you need to let the dermis rest for 20-30 minutes, then rinse your hair with shampoo.
Scrub for the head with oil
Lemon oil is used in the composition of belongings for the root scalp.
For peeling is taken:
- 1.5-2 tbsp sea salt;
- 2 tbsp base vegetable oil;
- 5-6 drops of citrus ether.
The ingredients are mixed until mushy. Hair should be damp. The procedure is best done in the bathroom. With circular light movements, the scalp is scrubbed so as not to injure the upper layer of the epithelium.
There should be no discomfort and pain during the procedure. After 5-7 minutes. the scrub is washed off with warm water. You can rinse your hair with a mild shampoo and apply a care mask.
Where can you buy oil, cost
You can buy ready-made lemon essential oil in almost any pharmacy, aromatherapy or beauty store with hair cosmetics. The product is produced in small glass vials with a volume of about 10-20 ml. You should pay attention to the expiration date.
The container should be tinted and, preferably, have a cardboard light-tight package. The cost is inexpensive, ranging from 80 to 300 rubles. Lemon oil can lighten hair color a little. Therefore, this tool is especially loved by blondes. But even darker curls will help give a healthy shine and silky smoothness.
Author: Viktorova Victoria Makarovna
Video about lemon oil for hair, its beneficial properties and rules of use
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For me, lemon oil helps to add shine to my hair. Perhaps this is due to moisture, I don't know, but it looks great. The main thing is regularity!