Hair serum is nothing new, but it is not for everyone. However, it has many, many possible uses. Dry, unruly, damaged hair can find an ally. But is it really effective? Which hair serum to choose and how to use it? 

A concentrate of active ingredients

You may already be familiar with face serums. They are used before applying a skin care cream.

As for the face, a hair serum is a liquid product, or a little gelatinous, concentrated in active ingredients. It is not a substitute for shampoo, not conditioner, and not even a hair mask. This is a real beauty product specially designed for your hair.

Once again, as for the face, the hair serum is particularly aimed at a problem. It can be a smoothing serum, a repairing serum for damaged hair, a serum for frizzy hair to draw curls, or even a serum for dry hair.

The other special feature of the hair serum: it does not rinse.

A new step in your hair routine

We could limit daily hair care products to two things: shampoo and conditioner. If you want to take care of your hair in depth, especially if it is dry or weakened by coloring, a weekly mask can be added.

Serum is another step in your hair routine. It might seem superfluous, and maybe it is if you have great hair with a routine that is simple and right for you.

But if you need another way to care for and discipline your hair, serum is a good option.

Hair care

Unlike a face serum, care has not always been the primary goal of hair serums. The priority was to straighten the hair. This has changed in recent years, with a wider range and serums that contain interesting active ingredients.

They can thus contain vegetable oils and active ingredients for repairing the hair fiber. And this, in particular thanks to vitamins or silk proteins.

However, most hair serums contain silicones from the start. This much criticized substance is indeed useful for really sheathing the hair fiber. Thus, the appearance of the hair is smoother. But many people think that silicones are just a bait, a surface treatment. If combined with skin care ingredients, they can still be useful in a serum.

You will now find serums that do not contain silicone. To find it on packaging, it is listed under the name Dimethicone or one of its derivatives, in “-one” or “-xane”. But if a serum is silicone-free, this information will certainly be indicated on the packaging.

Discipline your hair

Original utility of hair serums: to be able to smooth them more easily and make them shiny. These products hit the market at the end of the 90s. And they are still used today to discipline your hair.

Serums for curly hair aim to define the curls for a nicer movement. But whether you have straight or curly hair, the main thing with serums is to avoid frizz.

There are many ways to use a serum, but not all serums work the same. It is therefore important to read the instructions on the back of the product.

But, very often, a serum is used:

• On damp hair, after shampooing and caring, without applying it to the scalp. Pour 2 or 3 drops of the product, heat them in your hands and apply from top to bottom.
• On dry hair, to sheathe, discipline or protect your hair on a daily basis. Heat only 2 drops of the product and apply them only to the lengths and ends.

But some serums are also used on the scalp. In this case, they do not contain fatty substances and rather have a real purpose of care for the scalp. It can be to treat dandruff, to soothe an irritated scalp or to boost growth.