However, experts say this is an inaccurate concept. Abusing lemon juice not only does not bring the expected whitening effect but can also be harmful to the skin, teeth and digestive system.
Bright white skin is still a beauty goal for many people. Because it contains vitamin C and organic acids, lemon is often considered a food that has the effect of fading melasma, anti-aging and improving skin pigmentation. However, according to experts, drinking only lemon water is not enough to whiten the skin.
Mr. Tran Quoc Huu, a pharmaceutical analyst, Faculty of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University (China), said that for vitamin C to have the effect of supporting skin brightening, the body must absorb enough necessary amounts and vitamin C must participate in the process of inhibiting melanin formation under the skin. Therefore, just drinking a few slices of lemon mixed with water cannot create a clear skin whitening effect.
According to experts, the body's daily vitamin C needs are quite large, while the amount of vitamin C in a lemon only meets a part. Moreover, not all vitamin C from food is absorbed by the body and the absorption capacity is also different for each person. Therefore, lemon juice should only be considered a source of vitamin C supplementation in the diet, not a skin whitening method.
According to Dr. Ngo Luong Tai, Deputy Head of Dermatology Department, Hospital No. 6 under Zhongshan University (China), drinking lemon water in moderation can help stimulate the taste buds, improve appetite and supplement a small amount of vitamin C.
However, abusing lemon juice can cause many unwanted effects. In some cases, yellow skin may appear due to excessive accumulation of certain pigments in the body, even if it is not an allergic reaction.
Notably, drinking a lot of lemon water does not mean that the skin will be whiter. Lemon contains light-sensitive compounds. When these substances are absorbed into the body and the skin is exposed to a lot of sunlight, the risk of skin darkening, increased pigmentation or making the skin more sensitive may increase.
Experts also warn that acid in lemon, if in contact with teeth regularly, can soften tooth enamel, increasing the risk of teeth erosion if you do not rinse your mouth and clean your teeth properly after drinking.
In addition, consuming too much lemon juice can also cause stomach irritation, leading to bloating, discomfort, reflux, or increasing the risk of stomach ulcers in people with digestive diseases.
