Hmmm, this is a question that I get quite often since I recommend serum to many clients. The simple answer is that you can apply it more or less on wet hair just after the shower. Or some prefer to use it right before drying their hair with a towel as someone might find that easier and more convenient than applying it in the shower.
The reason for this is that the hair cuticles need to be hydrated, which means open and ready to receive any products. If you apply it on dry hair the product will just sit on top of the scales waiting to evaporate instead of penetrating into your strands.
Another way to use serum is as a leave-in conditioner. Just apply some serum on your palms and distribute it through your hair starting from the tips to the roots. Then either let it air dry or use a diffuser or blow dryer to speed up the process. This is also an effective way of using oils instead of serums if you are more comfortable with that.
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Do you have to apply serum on wet hair?
Applying it on wet hair is the recommended way since the product will be more easily absorbed by your strands. But, if you would like to use serums as a leave-in conditioner or to speed up the process of drying (I totally recommend this especially if you are using a diffuser ) you can just apply it on dry hair and let me know if that works for you.
Do serums contain parabens?
It might be the case, but it doesn’t have to be necessary so as there are many new products available nowadays that don’t contain those ingredients anymore. I guess this is something to keep an eye on as time goes by as companies will try to avoid those for sure as more and more people become aware that those ingredients are not exactly healthy.
Serum or oil?
It really depends on your hair type and personal preferences, but I would recommend always sticking with either serum or oil and never use them together in one blend as they will simply cancel each other out. Of course, if you would like to use both then it is up to you, but in that case, I would recommend applying oil on the lengths of your strands or at least avoiding your scalp as it can be quite greasy and oily after a while.
Is it compulsory to apply serum on hair?
No, it’s not compulsory. Serums and oils contain a variety of ingredients that can nourish your hair and scalp no matter whether you apply them on wet or dry hair. That being said I would still recommend using them as both products simply deliver excellent results. You just have to find the one that works the best for you and follow the instructions on the label.
Do they contain silicone?
Most, if not all serums and oils contain dimethicone as it is an ingredient that provides slip (makes product/product interaction easier), shine (reflects light off of the hair to make it look sleek and shiny) and protects the strands from damage (fights frizz). It is even one of the ingredients that are more likely to evaporate on your hair. That being said some products contain no dimethicone while others might use other silicones that mimic its properties.
What is the correct time to apply hair serum?
To be honest there is no correct time to apply hair serum. As I said before it really depends on your hair type and the result you are looking for. If you would like to use serums as leave-in conditioners or simply speed up the drying process then just apply them when your hair is dry instead of in the shower.
Can we apply serum on dry hair?
Yes, you can as long as the product doesn’t require wet hair to be absorbed. If that’s the case then obviously dry hair will pose a problem and you wouldn’t want to use it on such strand types.
How often should we apply serum?
It is always best to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer or at least those printed on the label. But if I have to give an estimation then I would say that you should apply it every day or every other day (again depending on your hair type).
Is serum is bad for scalps?
No, serums are not necessarily bad for the scalp. If you suffer from dandruff then they might make it worse as it can make your strands look greasy and you might not be able to completely get rid of the flakes. In general, serums are great for moisturizing the scalp which means that they will help with both dry and oily scalps. But if you have a dry scalp then an oil-based serum would actually be a better fit anyways.
What should I do after applying serum?
After applying serums you simply rinse your hair with warm water, shampoo it once or twice (if necessary) and lastly condition it.
Conclusion
Although there are many serums and oils available on the market these days, not all of them are actually suitable for your hair so you have to be careful in choosing the right ones.
Most companies claim that their products are made out of natural ingredients without silicones or other harmful additives so if possible take a look at the product labels before buying a certain product.