Can we apply hair serum on scalp?

Hair serum promises to provide too much benefits to your hair. While all this allegations might be true, there are some negative side effects associated with hair serum (see Hair serum effects). This side effects happen if you apply hair serum the right way. 

One of the most commonly asked questions is can we apply hair serum on scalp?

There are different instances where you can apply hair serum on the scalp or avoid applying hair serum on the scalp all together. To understand when you can apply hair serum or avoid it all together, keep reading this guide. 

Can we apply hair serum on scalp?

Hair serums are liquid form of hair products that are formulated using ingredients that aid at helping keep your hair grow and look good. Since we know hair growth happens from the scalp, can we apply hair serum on the scalp?

There are instances where you should avoid hair serums on your scalp. One of the instances when you should avoid hair serum on your scalp is when using a commercialized hair serum that is not labeled for use on scalp. 

Some hair serums are formulated using ingredients that are too harsh and meant for hair strands. Using this hair serum on your scalp might have no effects for the first few days. However, if you continue using this hair serums on your scalp, you might have to face some consequences. 

With this many uncertainties, is hair serum good for hair? 

Hair serums are so beneficial to your hair (see this). However, for you to enjoy all the benefits, you need to apply hair serum the right way. One way to apply hair serum the right way, is using hair serum meant for hair on hair and hair serum meant for scalp. What will if you use the wrong hair serum on your scalp?

Why shouldn’t you apply hair serum on your scalp?

For starters, if a serum is labeled for hair, it should be on your hair. The texture on your hair is different from the texture on the scalp. For a product to work on your hair, it should be tough enough to deal with the texture of the hair. 

If you apply hair serum on your scalp, one or two things might happen. 

Dry up your scalp

Since hair serum are formulated with silicone which has some alcohol which sucks oil and moisture from your scalp. You might not see the effect of using hair serum on your scalp the first few days. 

However, after using the hair serum for a few times, your scalp will start drying up. As you continue using hair serum on your scalp, you might notice that your scalp starts to crack and might develop into infections. 

Stagnant hair growth

Hair serum might have some ingredients that would interfere with the hormones that aid in hair growth. This might happen once your hair cuticles comes in contact with the harsh ingredients. 

While stagnant hair might not seem like a big deal at first. Unfortunately, you might end up dealing with more health related issues that you wouldn’t imagine. 

Hair loss

Stagnant hair growth might not be the only thing you might face if you use hair serum on your scalp. The hairs on the roots are very soft and weak compared to the strands from the mid length to the hair ends. 

If you continue using hair serum on your scalp, you might end up damaging your hair terribly and at the end of the day, deal with hair loss. 

Although, we advice you against using hair serum on your scalp it does not mean you should neglect your scalp and your hair roots.

You can find some serums that are meant to be used on the scalp. This serums will work through your scalp to make sure your hair and your scalp will benefit from the serum (which hair serum is best?).

If you are afraid of using commercialized hair serum, there is another option of making a homemade scalp serum at home.

Homemade scalp serum at home

If you are afraid of damaging your hair and your scalp, you can always use homemade scalp serum. 

Homemade scalp serum are formulated using safe ingredients that cannot and will not harm your scalp and new strands whatsoever. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PDzBbmaZKbg

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of freshly- squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cold-pressed natural coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons grapefruit juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly-scooped Aloe Vera gel
• 4 drops orange essential oil
• A fork
• A bowl
• A 3 ounce glass bottle with an eyedropper

Method

• In a bowl, put the freshly scooped Aloe Vera gel together with cold-pressed natural coconut oil.
• Smash the mixture with a fork and then go in with the grape juice. 
• Cut a fresh lemon and squeeze two tablespoons of the juice on the mixture. 
• Add the 4 drops of orange essential oil and mix the mixture using a stainless steel spoon and then pour the mixture in the glass bottle then cover it using the eyedropper.

After using the homemade scalp serum for a few weeks you will notice your hair become healthy and vibrant. However, if you don’t mind a few more harmless chemicals on your scalp, you can use a commercialized scalp serum. 

You will however have to choose the right scalp serum and also apply the scalp serum the right way. 

How to use scalp serum?

Unlike hair serums, scalp serums are made using safe ingredients that are not too harsh for your scalp. 

Despite of them being gentle on your scalp, you should also learn to apply scalp serum the right way. If you don’t know how, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how to apply scalp serum down below. 

• Wet your hair with warm water before applying hair shampoo. 
• Go in with a shampoo to remove all the products might be stuck on your hair. 
• Massaging your shampooed hair will also ensure all the products are loose for easy removal. 
• Once you are sure that all products are off your head, rinse it off using running warm water.
• Since the shampoos are too harsh on your hair and scalp, you will need to go in with a conditioner. 
• A conditioner will make your hair feel soft, and even easier to work your hair.
• Massage your hair for a few minutes to let flow of blood around your scalp. This can also enable hair growth. 
• Rinse the conditioner off your scalp then comb your hair to make application of scalp serum easier. 
• To ensure that your hair is healthy and vibrant you should apply a moisturizer on your hair. 
• After moisturizing your hair, part your hair into small sections.
• Start applying the scalp serum from your scalp. 
• Massage your scalp for a few minutes using your fingertips. This will make sure the circulation of blood around your scalp is regulated. In return your hair will grow healthy and vibrant. 
• Wash your hands with warm water and soap to ensure no products are stuck on your finger nails. 

Benefits of using scalp serum

Since we are against using hair serum on your scalp and you already know how to apply scalp serum, you need to know what you will be gaining from scalp serum. 

Hydrates your scalp

Not many hair products promise to hydrate your scalp. Fortunately, scalp serums contains some hydrating properties that ensure your scalp is well hydrated. 

Aids hair growth

During scalp serum application, you scalp is cleaned and all the hair cuticles open. Once you apply the scalp serum and massage it on your scalp, the blood circulation will be regulated and as a result new hair growth cycle begins. The hair that grow when your apply scalp serum will be healthy, nourished, and vibrant. 

Conclusion

If you feel like you are neglecting your scalp when you apply hair serum on your hair and not your scalp, you can fix that by applying scalp serum on your scalp. 

You might be inclined to think that the hair serum will work the same way as scalp serum. Unfortunately, hair serum are made using very harsh ingredients that might be damaging to your scalp. 

Finding a scalp serum is not hard, you will need to find the label for scalp. Other than that, you can use a homemade scalp serum. Homemade scalp serum will calm skin itching and also help you fight dandruffs. 

If you don’t know how to apply scalp serum, you can read my guide above. You will find a guide on how to apply scalp serum and why to. You should also subscribe to this page for more beauty hacks. 

References

1. O’LENICK, T. O. N. Y., & O’LENICK, T. H. O. M. A. S. Why use silicone in personal care applications?.
2. Talakoub, L., & WESLEY, N. O. (2016). Smooth hair—an acne-causing epidemic. Dermatology News, published Apr, 19.
3. Douglas, A., Onalaja, A. A., & Taylor, S. C. (2020). Hair Care Products Used by Women of African Descent: Review of Ingredients. Cutis, 105(4), 183-188.