Lemons are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and tons of valuable minerals that are just the ingredients your hair care routine might be missing. Did you know that lemon juice not only balances your pH levels which helps prevent dandruff, but also controls excess sebum that makes your scalp greasy. This is one of the best benefits of lemon juice for hair. But like any ingredient, you shouldn't go overboard when using lemons to treat your hair. After all, it is a citrus fruit, which means it's acidic in nature and can make your hair more sensitive to the sun's harsh rays. An overdose of citric acid can also mildly irritate the sensitive scalp and result in a stinging sensation. And while lemon juice is used as a natural bleaching agent for those with lighter hair, it doesn't really help lighten Indian hair. Instead of temporarily lightening your jet black hair like bleach, leaving lemon juice on the hair for long can lead to premature greying. But this does not mean you should be afraid since the pros outweigh the cons. Following proper routines and recipes can reap rewards as you just might never have to deal with dandruff or c ever again.

Lemon for hair has been used as an age-old remedy to help make your locks look shiny and vibrant. Since it restores the body's pH balance, it recovers your hair's natural shine. It also has clarifying properties, removing buildup while letting your hair follicles breathe and making your hair smoother.

Lemon juice is just what you need to combat those stubborn flakes that coat your shoulders every time you comb your locks. It's a natural anti-dandruff ingredient, being antifungal and prevents dandruff from forming in the first place. It also deep cleanses your scalp, hydrates, gets rid of flaky skin and soothes any itching.

Since lemon has citric acid, it controls excess oil while also getting rid of grime and buildup on your scalp. It even helps nourish your hair follicles, so that they can do their job of protecting your scalp from free radicals.

Our body has a love-hate relationship with collagen. It can be considered a superpower as it is in charge of cell regeneration which means constant hair growth. But as we age or if we have a genetic condition, the collagen in our body reduces, leading to thinning hair and slowing of hair growth. This is where lemons come in. They are rich in vitamin C which encourages collagen production and in turn, increases hair growth making it one of the best benefits of applying lemon on hair.

You can use lemon juice for a hair rinse as it smooths frizz while making your hair shiny and thick. All you need to do is massage two tablespoons of lemon juice on your scalp for a minute or two. Then mix a teaspoon of lemon juice with a cup of water and use it to rinse your hair. Finish off by cleansing with a mild shampoo. Beauty junkies also swear by this rinse for its immediate results in controlling dandruff.

Aloe vera has antibacterial as well as healing properties to strengthen your locks and reduce hair loss. Create a hair treatment by mixing one tablespoon of lemon juice with two tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Slather it on your scalp and let it sit for around 20 minutes. Thoroughly rinse it off with a mild shampoo like Love Beauty & Planet Onion Hairfall Control Shampoo as it is paraben-free and contains ethically-sourced onion and black seed oil which also help prevent hair fall

Amla has phytonutrients that boost blood circulation on the scalp and encourage hair growth along with lemon juice. Simply combine one tablespoon of lemon juice and amla juice and massage on your scalp for five minutes. Leave it for 10 minutes and then wash it with a mild shampoo. You can apply this mask twice a week.

Did you know that like lemon, yoghurt is also a natural conditioner that deep cleanses your scalp, hydrates it and gets rid of dandruff? So why not combine the two? Add a few drops of lemon juice to two tablespoons of yoghurt and apply it on the scalp as well as your tresses. You can let it sit for 30 minutes and then thoroughly wash it off with a mild shampoo.

Along with lemon juice, honey also moisturises the scalp and reduces dryness so that dandruff doesn't even get a chance to wreak havoc on your hair. It also locks moisture in your hair so that your tresses are healthy and hydrated. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to two tablespoons of honey and apply from the roots to the tips. Wash it off after 15 to 20 minutes with a mild shampoo.

As mentioned earlier, if you want to avoid the side effects of lemons while still maximising their benefits, there are some tips and tricks for it.

• Try not to leave lemon juice in your hair for more than 15 to 20 minutes
• Thoroughly wash off the lemon juice with a mild shampoo
• Try not to directly apply the lemon juice, but dilute it either with water or any other ingredient
• Use in moderation as a few drops of lemon juice is enough for your hair
• Always use fresh lemon juice

There are some risks to incorrectly using lemon on your hair.

• Skin irritation
• Contact reaction or allergy
• Redness and dryness of scalp
• Burning and stinging sensation of the scalp
• Premature greying
• Damaging hair cuticles

You can also drink lemon water as it is as beneficial as applying topically. It not only helps in weight loss but also reduces the risk of severe conditions like heart disease, kidney stones and anaemia. It also provides instant relief for those with low blood sugar, digestive issues or nausea. Simply squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning.

Studies suggest that you should leave lemon juice for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice applied for the correct amount of time does not dry or damage the hair. In fact, it is used in hydrating hair packs and strengthens your locks

While lemon does not turn the color of your hair grey directly, it generally lightens the shade since it has bleaching components. But if you leave it on for long, it can damage the follicles responsible for melanin production which will then lead to premature greying.

If you have a severe case of dandruff, you can apply lemon hair packs daily until you get it under control. Otherwise, you can apply it once or twice a week.

Now you've got a better idea of the benefits of lemon for hair, you might want to try it on your own hair and scalp. Just follow the above precautions and remember not to leave it on for too long and you should definitely start to see a difference. Have you tried using lemon juice on your hair yet? Tell us in the comments...