Growing and maintaining healthy strands doesn’t have to be something you dream about only. You can achieve it just by learning how to use a hair serum properly. The liquid formula has several benefits to the hair when used correctly.
Do you need something to protect your hair from environmental damage? Use a hair serum. Do you want your strands to be shiny? Use the serum. This product is a liquid formula that is silicon-based and the rubber-like texture helps to form a protective layer over the strands.
This layer will help to stop dirt and other pollutants from damaging the hair. Likewise, it also helps to reduce frizz and make your strands look and feel healthy. Additionally, the liquid product contains amino acids that can help to nourish and repair your strands and hair follicles.
Read ahead to find out how to use the hair product correctly to achieve all this. This article also contains answers to other questions concerning the use of serum and DIY recipes to help you make one.
How to Use Hair Serum Correctly
Here are a few tips to guide you through the use of hair serum:
1. Wash Your Hair Before, Not After
This is a very important instruction to follow in preparation to use your hair serum. Wash your hair before using the serum, not after—as this will allow your serum to work properly and as much as it should. You shouldn’t apply the serum on dirty strands and expect it to work.
The product serves as a protective layer against harmful substances. Using it on unclean hair only means that you are trying to protect your hair from something that is already there. This renders the effect of the serum useless.
While washing your hair, ensure that you use products that can help to enhance the effects of your hair serum. Don’t use products that contain ingredients that will counter the ones in your hair serum.
Note: You can use hair serum on the ends of your strands before washing it if you have dry hair. This can help to reduce the frizz in your hair after washing it.
2. Find the Right One for You
Hair serums are formulated differently, depending on the hair concern it addresses. Therefore, select one that works for your hair type and concern. If you are trying to control and get rid of frizz, look for anti-frizz hair serum.
If what you need is a serum that can help to grow your hair, look for one that contains ingredients that stimulate hair growth. For shiny hair, get a gloss serum that can help to add shine to your hair without making it greasy.
3. Avoid Using It on Your Scalp
Hair serum is different from scalp serum and has no business with the scalp. It is only meant to work on your strands. Applying the serum to your scalp can clog your hair follicles.
When your hair follicles get blocked by the buildup of hair care products, there will be a reduction in hair growth rate. Additionally, it can cause infections to get on your scalp, and all that is bad for your hair health.
When applying serum to your hair, start from the mid-lengths of your hair to the ends. This way, none of it will get to the scalp.
4. Use It to Protect Your Hair From Heat
You can apply a serum to your hair if you’re ever in need of something to protect your hair from heat. Hair serum works as a protective layer against heat damage. This is a perfect choice to use before styling your hair with flat irons or hot combs.
Heat can damage the hair, and safeguarding the hair from heat is very important. Simply apply your hair serum and go ahead to style your hair as you wish.
5. Don’t Use Too Much Hair Serum
As with any hair care product, little is more than enough when it comes to hair serum. Only use a pea-sized amount of serum on your hair to avoid a greasy finish. Using too much hair serum can turn the natural shine it gives your hair to greasiness.
Hair serums work differently depending on the hair concern it works to address. The method of application on dry hair will be different from that of curly hair. Therefore, it is important to always follow the instructions on the package on how to use the serum.
The length of your hair should influence the amount of serum you use. However, be cautious of the amount you use as you only need a little to cover your whole length.
6. Apply on Clean Strands
You can apply your serum on damp or clean dry hair, depending on your preference. It is important to apply your hair serum properly if you want to get the best results from it.
How to do it:
- Wash your hair to remove dirt
- Apply to damp hair to get the most effect
- Squeeze out two drops of hair serum into your palm
- Rub your palms together for 5 seconds to warm up the serum
- Apply it to your hair starting from the middle of your strands down to the ends
- After applying the serum, use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the serum evenly from the middle of your strands to the ends
- Style your hair as you wish
Note: While you apply the serum, avoid getting it on your scalp. Likewise, avoid pulling your hair in the process of application. You can also reapply the serum if your hair feels dry at any point.
Can You Use Coconut Oil as Hair Serum?
You can use coconut oil as a hair serum because it contains high levels of vitamin K and lauric acid. These are properties that can help to improve your hair health. It works especially on dry and brittle hair nourishes and conditions it.
You can apply coconut oil on your hair after washing it to protect your hair from damage and smooth your strands.
Is Hair Serum Better Than Hair Oil?
These two products work differently on the hair to improve its health. Not only are they formulated differently, but their benefits also differ as well. Therefore, you cannot pick one over the other. Simply choose one that works best for your hair concern.
Hair serum works effectively to protect the hair from damage while Hair oil provides the hair with nourishment to repair and revitalize your strands.
When Should You Use Hair Serum?
The best time to use your hair serum is after washing your hair because that is the only time you can guarantee that your hair is clean. You can also apply it to dry hair but only if it is clean.
Once you leave the shower, pat a soft towel on your hair to remove excess water. Avoid rubbing or pulling, as doing so can damage your hair and cause you to lose some strands. You can apply the hair serum now or you can wait till your hair is completely dry.
How to Make DIY Hair Serum
If you will like to make your own DIY hair serum, here are recipes to help you:
1. Aloe vera and rosewater serum
What you’ll need:
- ½ cup of pure aloe vera gel
- 4 tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil
- 5 tablespoons of rosewater
- 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil
- 24 drops of jasmine essential oil
How to do it:
- Scrape out aloe vera gel from an aloe vera plant into a blender
- Add the rose water, and coconut oil to it
- Puncture a vitamin E capsule and pour the oil into the blender
- Blend everything together to get a smooth blend
- Pour the mixture into a spritz bottle
- Add the jasmine essential oil to it
- Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients
2. Rosewater serum
What you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
- 2 teaspoons of castor oil
- 15 drops of lavender oil
- 10 drops of rose water
- A spray bottle
How to do it:
- Pour the jojoba, and castor oil in a bowl
- Add the rose water to it
- Add the lavender oil
- Pour the liquid into a spray bottle
- Keep the bottle in a refrigerator
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you apply hair serum to oily hair?
Yes, you should. You should apply hair serum on your oily hair to control the excess production of oil on your scalp.
However, oily strands should opt for lightweight serum formulas to avoid clogging the pores.
Does hair serum fight frizz?
Yes, it does. Using an anti-frizz hair serum will help to reduce frizz and dryness to give your strands a smooth and healthy look.
Hair serum helps to hydrate the strands and provides protection against dry air and other factors that can cause frizz.
Should you apply hair serum daily?
No, you shouldn’t. You should only apply hair serum daily to treat your hair concerns every time you wash your hair.
Daily usage of serum can cause your hair to become greasy and can also cause hair breakage. It will water down your strand and make them feel heavy.
Conclusion
Proper use of hair serum can help to improve the efficiency of the product, while misuse of the product can cause damage to the hair. Therefore, it is best to use the product the right way—to be able to enjoy all of its benefits.
Apply the product on your hair and not your scalp, as it can cause a buildup on your scalp and this can clog up your hair follicles. The most important step to using the product is washing the hair before applying the product. Never use the product on unclean hair.
Thanks for reading.
Read more hair care guides on Serum101 to help you journey smoothly to achieve healthy hair.
