Are you tired of battling frizzy, dry or damaged hair? Do you wish your hair could look as good as it does in salon commercials? The secret weapon you need is hair serum! No hair wash routine is complete without the right post-wash hair serum. Great to soften and smooth the hair cuticles, hair serums are a must to manage as well as style your hair. However, not every hair serum will work the same way on everyone. Serums are specifically formulated to tackle different problems in different types of hair, and landing on the right bottle for your hair type can involve a huge round of trial and error. Also, making sure to take the right amount and using the right technique to spread it on your hair is also important. Here is a tell-all guide to understanding the various kinds of serums that would be best suited for your hair, and how to use them.

What is a hair serum?

Hair serum is a silicone-based product designed to coat the surface of hair strands, providing a smooth and shiny appearance while offering various benefits like frizz control, heat protection, and hydration, explains dermatologist Priyanka Kuri. These styling products can have different formulations for different types of hair. Serums may contain silicone and active ingredients such as argan oil jojoba oil, sunflower oil, moringa oil, aloe vera, vitamin E, rose water and coconut oil to nourish the hair. Some hair serums may also contain hydrolyzed keratin proteins, which are useful in making the hair frizz-free, states this study, published in the International Journal of Trichology.

Benefits of hair serums

Serums are useful because they can improve the texture of hair, reduce frizz, add gloss to the hair and protect it from environmental damage and heat styling. “They also help manage specific hair concerns such as dryness, frizziness, breakage etc,” says Dr Kuri. They can also promote the growth of thick hair. A study, published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, stated that a serum containing amla extract, freeze-dried coconut water, as well as other products was used to treat hair fall in 42 participants for 90 days. It was observed that there was an improvement in hair growth rate as well as hair density.

Types of hair serums

There are multiple types of hair serums that are available in the market today. These are classified on the basis of the benefits that they provide your hair.

1. Smoothing serum

These serums are used to tame your frizzy hair, making them more manageable. It also helps you deal with flyaways. Your hair looks less dry and even shiny after application.

2. Hydrating serum

These serums have ingredients that add moisture to your hair, making them perfect for dry and brittle hair. You hair look soft as well as rejuvenated after application.

3. Repairing serum

These serums are used for people who regularly style their hair using heat products or have undergone other chemical treatments. This nourishes the hair, and repair the damage.

4. Peptide serum

This is a medical grade serum used to grow hair. This is applied to the roots as they typically improve blood circulation in hair follicles. This leads to healthy hair growth. Peptide serums may even contribute to hair strength.

What are hair serums made of?

Here are some common hair serum ingredients that are used:

1. Keratin and hydrolyzed proteins

These are proteins that help with repairing your hair, and make them stronger. It also makes the hair more manageable.

2. Oils

Argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil are used to hydrate the hair, and contributes to reducing frizz to a great extent. This also makes the hair shinier.

3. Vitamin E and vitamin C

This helps to protect the hair from environmental damage. It makes your tresses healthy as well as more vibrant.

4. Botanical Extracts

These are ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, and rosemary that offer additional benefits like soothing the scalp, reducing inflammation, and stimulating hair growth.

What does a hair serum label mean?

If you read the text on a hair serum bottle, you will notice many terms such as sulfate-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free. All these terms are part of the how a serum is formulated, and what it is made of. Parabens are preservatives, and if a serum is paraben-free, it means that these additives have been avoided, hence, you have a more natural product on your hands. Sulfate is a cleansing agent and it eliminates natural oils. Therefore, sulfate-free serums helps in maintaining the natural health of your hair. Lastly, cruelty-free serums indicate that they have not been tested on animals.

How to choose a hair serum?

While choosing the best hair serums, specific to your hair type, certain things must be kept in mind.

Seek serums with moisturising contents like argan oil or shea butter to hydrate and nourish parched follicles. A study, published in the Journal of Cosmetics Dermatological Sciences and Applications, talks about the protective effect of Argan oil in coloured hair. It reduced the protein loss caused by hair colour, as well as prevented hair damage.

After towel-drying your hair, use a small amount of hair serum to get a shine as well as other benefits. Image courtesy: Freepik

2. Curly locks

For curly hair, choose a type of serum which will define curls without leaving hair feeling heavy. Ingredients such as coconut oil or glycerin assist in retaining the curly shape. A study, published in Skinmed states that leave-on products with glycerin can help in hydrating the scalp and preventing dandruff as well.

3. Frizzy tresses

Some anti-frizz serums contain various types of silicone such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone. This helps to tame flyaways and provide a sleek effect. However, it is important to note here that you must consult an expert while using silicone products, as some types of silicone can damage the hair.

4. Breaking hair

Serums containing proteins like keratin or amino acids can strengthen hair to prevent breakages giving healthier strands. According to a study, published in Polymers, keratine can help repair hair and can improve the structure of hair silk protein.

5. Grey hair

Serums packed with UV filters or antioxidants like vitamin E would help shield your hair from harmful emissions around you while still maintaining its natural shine. A study, published in Recent Advances in Hair Science, states that oxidative stress is a key factor in the loss of hair pigmentation.

6. Damaged hair

Repairing serums made up of silk proteins or panthenol among others would help restore moisture levels in the follicles thereby healing damaged cuticles. In a study, published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, it was seen that it helped with hair stiffness as well as strength.

How to use a hair serum?

Make sure to follow these steps to get maximum benefit from that serum bottle.

• Start with clean, towel-dried hair.
• Dispense a small amount of serum onto the palms.
• Rub hands together and distribute evenly through hair, focusing on mid-lengths to ends.
• Avoid applying directly to roots to prevent weighing down hair.
• Style hair as usual.

Serums are made up of silk proteins or panthenol and they help restore moisture levels in the follicles. Image courtesy: Freepik

What is the aftercare with regards to using a serum?

After applying a hair serum, it's important to avoid excessive heat styling and use heat-protectant products when using hot tools. Regularly wash hair to prevent product buildup and use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove residue. Additionally, maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support overall hair health.

FAQs

How often do I need to use hair serums?

The frequency of using a hair serum depends on the type of hair you have as well as the product you choose to use. If you have oily hair, overuse can weigh it down, hence use it just once or twice a week. For thick and dry hair, serums can be applied almost three times a week as well. If your hair is damaged, then serums can be used everyday as well.

Should hair serum be applied on dry or wet hair?

Hair serum is best when applied to damp hair. This will allow the serum to be absorbed well, and lock the moisture in. However, it also depends on the product that you are using, frizz-free serums can be applied on dry hair as well.

Should I use hair serum on coloured hair?

Yes, in fact it is highly recommended to use serums on coloured hair. Hair colour can make your hair dry and also cause damage. A good serum, formulated for coloured hair, can often protect your tresses.

Will a hair serum make my hair oily?

This depends on your hair type, and the product that you using. There are many serums that are lightweight and are said to not be greasy, therefore, these are sure to not weigh your hair down. It also depends on the frequency of application.

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