15 Best Serums For Hair And Scalp

The "magic" serum, which promised to solve all problems with hair, at one point turns into useless contents of a bottle with the code name "don't understand why" - a familiar situation? Airat Gadelshin, a top stylist at Moroccanoil in Russia, explained why this is happening and told what needs to be done to fix the situation (and not waste money anymore).

Error: you have misidentified the serum type

For example, a hair serum instead of a scalp serum, and vice versa. Scalp and hair products differ greatly in formulation and purpose. Hair is made of dead tissue, and scalp is living tissue. Hair serums are generally lighter products than scalp serums and address the problems associated with restoring the quality of curls: loss of shine, tangles, split ends. Difficulties that the scalp may experience are others - itching and flaking if the skin is dry, and increased production of sebum if the skin is oily. The main thing is to understand that the hair itself cannot be oily - only the scalp can be oily, and you will not make such a mistake (we also remember “5 useful beauty hacks for hair health”).

Mistake: you were wrong with the type of whey

Here we are talking about "intraspecific" characteristics - the choice of serum by its properties. If the task is to strengthen the hair follicles and / or wake them up so that the hair grows clean and silky, you can not be afraid to make a mistake - this is a universal task for almost all similar products. When a more individual problem is concerned, you need to be careful. Serums can be designed for dry scalp and oily scalp. Both types normalize the skin's pH level by improving it, but they do it in different ways. The first one moisturizes and nourishes hair follicles, heals micro cracks caused by itching, exfoliates dead skin particles and soothes. The second - normalizes the production of sebaceous secretion by slowing down the work of the sebaceous glands and literally "tightening" of the skin pores, which ultimately allows the hair to look decent,and you ─ wash your hair less often. Of course, different components work for these purposes in different serums, for example, oils: argan, lavender and geranium - in serums for dry scalp, ginger - for oily scalp.

Serum to prevent breakage of hair Scalp Renew Density Protection, Nioxin

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Mistake: you apply serum too often / rarely

Serums for the scalp, like any intensive means, are used as a course and always with a break ─ to prevent overstimulation. To avoid the addictive effect, the serum should be used according to a special scheme - "8-4-2". This means that in the first month you use it 8 times - twice a week (no matter how often you wash your hair), in the second month - 4 times (once a week) and in the third month - 2 times (1-2 times a month as needed). If the serum was selected and used correctly, the problems of a flaky scalp or oily at the roots will be solved (read about supportive therapy here ─ “What shampoo is needed for hair that gets dirty quickly”).

Error: you don't read the instruction

Serum for dry scalp is usually applied before using shampoo and conditioner (ideally on dirty hair). Distribute it evenly with a pipette all over the scalp. For thin hair, three drops per 10 cm parting will be enough, for thick hair - 6 drops for the same parting. After applying the serum, massage in a gentle 5-minute massage (in a circular motion from the edge of the hairline towards the center), comb through your hair and wash with shampoo and conditioner.

Apply the serum for oily scalp in the same way, but without massage: distribute evenly with a pipette, leave for 5-10 minutes, comb and - this is important! - rinse your head with cool water. Finish with shampoo and conditioner.

Hair serum should be applied in small amounts and only from the middle of the length, paying special attention to the ends, otherwise you can make the strands heavier and immediately and permanently destroy the volume at the roots.

However, more and more serums in recent years do not require rinsing at all: they need to be applied to clean scalp (on dry or damp roots - depending on the manufacturer's recommendations) with light movements and left until completely absorbed.