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can lemon be applied on face
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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #16303
3 days ago
25

can lemon be applied on face - #16303

Parth

I am struggling with my skin lately. I've been dealing with these annoying dark spots and uneven tone, and I heard that can lemon be applied on face to help with this kinda stuff? A friend told me she swears by it and claims it’s like magic for her skin. But, I'm a bit nervous about trying it, ya know? I have oily skin and sometimes it gets sensitive, like red and itchy after I try new products. One time I tried something that was supposed to brighten my skin and ended up with a rash! So, should I really go ahead and try lemon juice? Like, how do I even apply it safely? Can lemon be applied on face directly or do I need to mix it with something? I read about mixing it with honey or yogurt, but I don't wanna mess up and make my skin worse! Also, how often can I use it? Is daily too much? I mean, does it really work, or is that just a hype? Any thoughts would be super helpful. Like, I just really want to brighten up my face, but don’t wanna risk damaging my skin more. Thanks!

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Doctors’ responses

Applying lemon juice on the face to treat dark spots and uneven skin tone is a common home remedy, but it’s important to approach it with caution, especially for sensitive or oily skin types like yours. Lemon juice is highly acidic and can irritate the skin, leading to redness, itching, or even a rash, as you’ve experienced with other products before. This can be particularly aggravating on sensitive or compromised skin barriers. For some individuals, lemon juice can also make the skin more photosensitive, which means it could increase the risk of sunburns and worsen pigmentation if sun protection isn’t meticulously followed. If you do choose to try it, it’s advisable not to apply lemon juice directly to your face. Instead, you could dilute it with water or mix it with gentler substances like honey or yogurt that might help buffer the acidity. Honey, for instance, has moisturizing properties which could counteract some of the drying effects of lemon. A patch test on a small area of skin, like your inner arm, before applying it to your face can help gauge your skin’s reaction. If you don’t notice any adverse effects after 24 hours, you could cautiously try applying the mixture to your face. To be safe, it’s best to use lemon juice less frequently, perhaps once or twice a week at most, followed by a thorough rinse and the application of a moisturizer. Always ensure you’re using broad-spectrum sunscreen daily as a precaution against any potential increase in photosensitivity. However, given your previous skin reactions, it might be worth considering alternative treatments that are evidence-based and less harsh, such as products containing vitamin C, niacinamide, or alpha-arbutin. These ingredients are known for their skin brightening and pigment-reducing properties and tend to be tolerated better by sensitive skin types. Consulting with a dermatologist could provide you with a more tailored recommendation and potentially prevent any unnecessary irritation or complications from home remedies.

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