Can Lemon Juice Help Lighten and Brighten Your Skin?

  YOU BET  it can, but let me explain how and why.....

As we approach the age of 30, our body tends to unleash creeping  inadequacies  within our skin and outer appearance.   Dark spots, age spots, hyper-pigmentation, an uneven skin tone, and many other skin pigmentation conditions have a specific reason of manifestation.  Aging is commonly blamed for being the main cause for skin blemishes, but the reality it is only partially true.  While it plays a part, it is not one of the primary causes.

Three Cause and Effects of Skin Blemishes:

• UVA rays- The most common cause of  skin conditions is too much exposure to direct sunlight without protection.

Most people will begin to develop these spots when they are middle aged or later in life, so yes age is involved, but the underlying cause is overexposure to UVA rays throughout your life.

When your skin is exposed to UVA rays, it produces an excessive amount of Melanin, which when you are younger gives your skin the appearance of an overall even tan. As we become older this Melanin has a tendency to clump together in areas that have been over exposed to the sun, and that is why such a high percentage of these conditions are located on visible skin.

• Skin trauma- There are many skin pigmentation conditions that are linked to trauma of the skin.

Some common skin traumas include acne damages, infections, wounds, eczema, contact dermatitis, and certain reactions to skin care products, all of which can cause skin discoloration.

• Genetics- A persons genes play a role in how susceptible they are to developing skin blemishes. Also, skin conditions such as freckles, moles, acne, and melasma (which is often caused by hormonal changes when taking birth control or during pregnancy) rely highly on your genetic make up.

Here is the GOOD NEWS!  In most cases, you can fade these areas of skin, and regain a your complexion just by using all natural techniques and recipes. Lemon juice happens to be one of the most common ingredients found in many of these recipes.

Why Lemon Juice is So Effective

As you may or may not know, lemon juice contains tons of Vitamin C, which is among some of the purest natural antioxidants that there are. Antioxidants that are this pure have been scientifically proven to reduce the amount of melanin that is produced when applied to your skin and used regularly.

If you currently have a skin lightening regime, then you probably know that exfoliating your skin on a consistent basis is an important aspect to achieving a lighter skin tone. Exfoliation is the process of removing old, dead skin cells that are attached to a fresh, new layer of cells that lie below. These cells die off daily, making your skin appear dull, so it is important to eliminate them and reveal the glowing layer of cells that awaits below.

There are five Alpha Hydroxy acids that possess the characteristics needed to break the bond that holds your dead skin cells to your fresh cells, and citric acid is one of the five that carries these characteristics.

Therefore lemon juice should most certainly be included in your natural exfoliation recipes because it carries a very high level of citric acid!

Recipes to try at home:

Skin Lightening Mask

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon tomato juice

1 tablespoon cucumber juice

1 tablespoon sandal wood paste

Mix all ingredients into a paste, apply to face, and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and moisturize. This can be done 2-3 times a week.

Skin Lightening for Dry Skin

1 tablespoon powdered milk

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 drops of essential oil

Mix ingredients together, apply to affected area of skin and let sit for 20-25 min. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and moisturize.

Natural Exfoliation Recipe

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 egg white

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix ingredients well, using your fingers massage the mixture in a circular motion onto your skin for 10-15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and moisturize. This can be done two times a week. For sensitive skin try once a week.

Remember…whatever you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body! It’s best to choose safe and natural skin care to help prevent parabens, sulfates and other cancer causing ingredients to enter your bloodstream!

“As much as 60% of topical skin-care products are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.” Says Dr. Nancy Lonsdrof, M.D. an lowa-based physician. “They should be consumed with the same prudence that we use to choose our breakfast cereal.” – April 2006 issue of Women’s Health Magazine.

Related Articles:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2300114_use-lemon-lighten-skin.html

http://blog.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/2011/04/06/enough-vitamin-c/

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Lemon-to-Lighten-Your-Skin

http://www.naturalnews.com/035614_lemon_juice_toxic_chemicals_home.html

Thank you: References by guest post  Paul Miller.

Favorite essential oils to cleanse and refresh your hair and scalp...

  Our team at Kasia Organic Salon LOVE essential oils.  We use them in hair and skin treatments, as well as infuse our air with our high powered differ for essential oils.  Clients rave about their purchased diffuser and oils .... Essential oils naturally help to balance the skin's oils, cleanse and refresh hair and scalp. They work like a tonic and promote shiny hair. All Kasia Hair Care products have an infusion of an apothecary and helpful essential oils for the hair.

Here are some great essential oils for hair care:

Bergamot Citrus bergamia is uplifting, refreshing, astringent and regulating. Use for most hair types.

Clary Sage Salvia sclarea is balancing (helps to balance sebum), calming and regulating. Use for most hair types especially dry and oily.

Lavender Lavendula angustifolia is calming, relaxing and regenerative. Use for most hair types.

Lemon Citrus limon is soothing and uplifting. Lemon is cleansing, astringent and a skin tonic. Use for most hair types especially oily and light color hair.

Litsea Cubeba litsea cubeba is cleansing and a skin tonic. Use for most hair types and oily hair.

Orange, Sweet Citrus sinensis is uplifting, soothing, calming, balancing (sebum) and regenerative. Use for most hair types.

Peppermint Mentha x piperita is stimulating and increases circulation of the scalp. Use for most hair types and prevention of hair loss and dull hair. Precaution: Keep away from eyes.

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis cineol is invigorating and stimulating. Use for most hair types and prevention of hair loss.

Tip Using Essential Oils For Hair Care 1. Apply 1-2 drops essential oil onto your brush and brush your hair. Not only will your hair smell nice, the essential oils will also promote smooth and shiny hair.

Visit Kasiaorganicsalon.com to learn more about essential oils.  Essential oils are available to purchase online.

Reference:  Joan Morais

Hair and essential oils? Here's a quick guide!

Essential oils are gentle and natural and do not strip your skin or hair of it's natural protection. The condition of your hair is affected when you are under stress, tense or not eating properly. Essential oils are able to penetrate deeply into the hair shaft and follicle and aid the growth of healthy, shining hair. And there are even essential oils that encourage new hair growth as seen below.  One can add them to their shampoo, or do a scalp massage at night combined with Jojoba Oil.

Essential Oils for Hair Care:

Normal hair: Carrot seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.

Dry hair: Carrot seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Orange, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.

Oily Hair: Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Tea Tree, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.

Scalp conditions (dandruff, sensitive skin, itchiness, inflammation, dermatitis): Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Myrrh, Orange, Patchouli, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang.

Hair loss/thinning: Basil, Cypress, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.

Find Kasia Apothecary Essential Oils HERE!

Herbs for Hair Care:

Normal hair: Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Horsetail, Lavender, Linden flowers, Nettle, Parsley leaf, Rosemary, Sage, Watercress.

Dry hair and scalp: Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf, Elder flowers, Horsetail, Lavender, Marshmallow root, Nettle, Parsley leaf, Sage.

Oily hair and scalp: Bay leaf, Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Horsetail, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Lemon peel, Lemongrass, Nettle, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Witch Hazel bark, Yarrow leaf and flower.

Scalp conditions (dandruff, sensitive skin, inflammation, itchiness, dermatitis): Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf, Eucalyptus, Horsetail, Lavender, Marshmallow root, Nettle, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.

Hair loss/thinning: Basil, Nettle, Rosemary, Sage.

Golden highlights: Calendula, Chamomile, Lemon, Sunflower petals.

Dark highlights: Black Tea, Black Walnut hulls (crushed or chopped), Comfrey root, Nettle, Rosemary, Sage.

Red highlights: Calendula, Henna, Hibiscus flowers, Red Clover flowers, Rose hips, Red Rose petals.

Reference:  Mountain Rose

Toxic Cleaning Cabinet? Our Recommended Hard-working Essential Oils for Home!

The Kasia Way -  Our Recommended Hard-working Essential Oils for Home!

Here’s the bare minimum to stock up on when it comes to cleaning...

* Lemon essential oil

* Tea Tree essential oil

* White Pine essential oil (or your favorite piney oil!)

* Lavender essential oil

* Peppermint essential oil

"So...What's in your Cleaning Cabinet?"

AIR FRESHENERS: Work by coating your nasal passages with an oil film and/or reduce your ability to smell odors. Often containing Formaldehyde, a highly toxic ingredient, which can irritate eyes, nose, throat, and skin. High exposure can cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss and shortness of breath. They may also include Phenol, a skin irritant that can cause swelling, burning, and peeling. High doses of Phenol can also cause cold sweats, convulsions, circulatory collapse, coma, and even death. Most Air Fresheners contain artificial fragrances, which are petroleum based.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS: often contains Propylene Glycol, a chemical that can cause nausea, convulsions, slurred speech, disorientation, and heart and kidney problems if ingested.  Ninety percent contain Sodium Laurel (Laureth) Sulfate. Some all-purpose cleaners may contain Sodium Hydroxide (Lye), also found in drain cleaners, stain removers, and bathroom cleaners. A highly reactive chemical, lye can react violently with water and other materials, sometimes generating enough heat to ignite nearby combustible materials. Extremely corrosive to all tissues, especially the eyes as it can cause blindness. Aerosol sprays containing this chemical can also lead to lung injury. Extremely dangerous when coming in contact with skin, mucous membranes, mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach tissues.

AMMONIA: a volatile chemical, commonly found in window cleaners, and some stain removers and detergents. Ammonia can damage your eyes, as well as respiratory tract and cause ski irritation. Ammonia adds nitrogen to the environment, which can damage some ecosystems.

ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS: contains Sodium Laurel (Laureth) Sulfate and Triclosan, a chemical that, if absorbed through the skin, may contribute to liver damage. Eliminates *good* bacteria, and studies suggest bacteria acquires resistance to antimicrobial agents.

CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY SHAMPOO: Highly toxic ingredients include Perchlorethylene, a carcinogen that can damage the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. They also contain Ammonium Hydroxide, which is extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respiratory passages.

CHLORINE BLEACH: a strong corrosive with fumes that can irritate or burn the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. If ingested, bleach can cause pulmonary edema or vomiting. Extremely dangerous when mixed with ammonia, as the resulting fumes can be deadly.

DISHWASHER DETERGENTS: often contain highly concentrated amounts of chlorine, a leading cause of child poisonings (see Chlorine Bleach). They also contain Sodium Laurel (Laureth) Suflate and phosphates that can cause severe skin irritation, burns and chronic poisoning if inhaled or ingested.

DRAIN CLEANER: often contains Sodium Hydroxide (Lye, see All Purpose Cleaner above), Hydrochloric Acid or Trichloroethane. Hydrochloric Acid is a corrosive element that can irritate skin, and damage kidneys, liver and digestive tracts. Trichloroethane is an eye and skin irritant that can depress the nervous system and damage liver and kidneys.

FURNITURE POLISH: many include Petroleum Distillates, a highly flammable skin irritant, and Phenol (see Air Fresheners). Some also include Nitrobenzene, a toxic material easily absorbed through the skin, or Methyl Chloroform, which can cause skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, headache, drowsiness, symptoms of drunkenness, kidney damage, liver damage, convulsions, and even coma. A variety of other petroleum-based solvents may be used that can cause mucous membrane irritation, as well as headache, dizziness, and nausea at higher concentrations.

LAUNDRY ROOM PRODUCTS: contains Sodium Laurel (Laureth) Sulfate, and  Sodium or Calcium Hypochlorite, highly corrosive materials that can irritate or burn skin, eyes or respiratory tract. Other chemicals include Linear Alkylate Sulfonate, which can be absorbed through the skin and may cause liver damage, and Sodium Tripolyphosphate, a skin and mucous membrane irritant that can cause vomiting. Liquid detergents may also contain Ethyl Alcohol, which can cause coughing, drowsiness, fatigue, and headaches.

MOLD AND MILDEW CLEANERS: ingredients often include Sodium Hypochlorite, a corrosive material that can irritate or burn skin and eyes. In cases of high exposure, can cause pulmonary edema, which can lead to coma or death. Many such cleaners also contain Formaldehyde (see Air Fresheners).

OVEN CLEANER: contains Sodium Hydroxide (Lye), a strong irritant to skin and eyes; can also inhibit reflexes (see All-Purpose Cleaner).

STAIN REMOVERS: often contain Petroleum Naphtha, a petroleum distillate that can inflame and damage lungs.

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS: may contain Hydrochloric Acid, a highly corrosive irritant to both skin and eyes that can also lead to kidney and liver damage. May also include Hypochlorite Bleach, another corrosive irritant that can burn eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Ingestion can lead to pulmonary edema, vomiting or coma. If combined with other chemicals may result in potentially fatal chlorine fumes. Other products can include Phosphoric Acid, an extremely corrosive material that can cause severe irritation and burns to skin.

Color Fading? Prolong your investement -Hamadi will keep you bright and beautiful!

Tired of spending hours at the salon just to watch your hair color wash down the drain?

Take a look  at  what causes color fading and how to prevent it, and PRODUCTS WE LOVE!

In my experience, there are two common causes for color fading:

1.)  Using a shampoo that contains harsh sulfates (SLS)  and a high in chemicals

2.) Exposure to environmental elements like the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.

Pass up Walgreens........Some of the most popular drug store products-even those designated for colored hair- may cause color fading, and even when you’re indoors the sun can cause color to oxidize, thus resulting in a faded, dull look.

Listed below are PRODUCTS KASIA ORGANIC SALON LOVES for achieving lasting color and prevent further fading:

Purchase natural and organic shampoos and conditioners that are specifically formulated for color treated hair.

Hamadi Hair Washes do not contain sodium laurel sulfate, which other products use to create a "lather" or “suds”.  Sulfates used in shampoos for its detergent and foam-building abilities can cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions. Sulfates strip your hair of natural oils and nourishment.  Our hair washes use natural sudsing agents derived from coconuts, leaving the hair feeling clean and not heavy with detergents.  It takes about 2 weeks after switching to Hamadi organic hair wash for hair and scalp to detoxify chemical build up!

Hamadi Lemon Mint Hair Wash is a clarifier that removes toxic build up from environmental pollution and styling products while sealing in color.  Organic Mint Essential Oils invigorate and stimulate the scalp, especially after damage from color-treatment or lightening.  Provides sensational aromatherapy experience in the shower with Peppermint, Green Mint, White Cedar, Lemongrass, Lemon, Grapefruit, and Rosemary organic Essential Oils.  Organic Lemon and Grapefruit Essential Oils rebalance hair’s natural pH and return shine.

Where Natural Protectants against UVA and B Rays!

Hamadi Shea Spray: the best natural shine spray on the market.  Unlike other toxic shine sprays that end up harming your hair, Hamadi will actually nourish and protect your hair while giving great shine.  In addition to organic Aloe, Sea Kelp, and Shea Butter, our Shea Spray is made with organic Avocado, Ylang Ylang, and Rosemary essential oils.  Organic Shea naturally protects against the sun’s damaging rays and at 4oz, it’s the perfect size to toss in your beach bag!

Wash your hair every other day instead of daily. Use cool to cold water to prevent any color from rinsing out, as warm or hot water opens the hair cuticle allowing color an easy escape. Cold water keeps the cuticle closed and encourages healthy, shiny hair.

Deep condition the hair approximately one week before your color treatment, and directly after. The added protein and moisture will prep your hair, resulting in a more even color result.

Hamadi Shea Hair Mask is a great organic spa hair treatment.  Just sit back, relax, and take in the delicious aromatherapy of organic Vanilla and Ylang Ylang essential oils!  No heat cap required, you can put on in the shower for a quick treatment or sit and leave in for longer for deeper treatment. Give your mother Heather Graham’s beautifully nourished locks with Hamadi Shea hair Mask, the organic treatment of the stars!

or a top seller......

Hamadi Shea Leave In is a celebrity favorite and one of our top-sellers!  Smooth fly-aways and tames curls with nourishing Shea Butter, and is an absolute must for natural protection against the summers harsh rays!  Leave In after washing hair for light conditioning that won’t weigh the hair down but still delivers great shine. Also can be used for styling to heal hair on the go! Organic Rosemary, Jojoba, and Ylang Ylang essential oils give great aromatherapy while you’re away from the comforting scents of home.  No gooey waste here-rub in any excess into hands as a moisturizer!

Kasia Organic Salon Supports products that are:

Organic SLS-Free Cruelty- Free Paraben-free Biodegradable Hair Care Made with Organic Essential Oils