Updated : 2021
go to the Photoshop layers menu to select layer to be brightened
Layer menu and new adjustment layer category
Levels
Add name for the 'levels' layer and click OK
go to the properties panel (levels settings)
select the "lighter" preset to brighten the layer in Photoshop
Go to the first slider bar / histogram
right side slider and move to the left to brighten the layer
To remove the brighten layer 'levels' adjustment, go to the layers panel and select the levels adjustment layer and click delete layer button.