The road to healthy hair often begins at your scalp—and more often than not, it’s overlooked. This is where a scalp serum comes in. All the damage control, heat protecting, nourishment-inducing hair care can be rendered useless if your scalp health is compromised. Thankfully, over the last few years, the focus from the lengths of your hair has shifted its way upstairs, to your scalp. Although the concept of scalp care isn’t new (hello, champi), it is definitely one that is finally having its moment globally. As a result, many hair care brands have thrown the spotlight on scalp care—scalp serum being the latest innovation to take the world by storm. But, what exactly is a scalp serum and how does it work? Dr Neha Waghmare Palikar, consultant trichologist Trica Hair Clinic, Jean Claude Biguine Salon & Spa India breaks it down.
What is scalp serum?
“Scalp serums are a lot like scalp masks,” explains Dr Palikar. “It nourishes the skin on your scalp and gets rid of any buildup.” Think of it as a face serum, but for your head—since the scalp is pretty much an extension of the rest of your skin on your body, it needs to be treated in a similar manner too. The reason why scalp serums are so popular is all thanks to their potent ingredients like glycolic or hyaluronic acid that help tackle several hair conditions, straight from the root. They not only help treat existing conditions, but also maintain a healthy environment within your scalp, allowing for better hair growth.
Serum vs oil
Scalp care for generations has meant dousing your hair in that sweet smelling concoction of jasmine, coconut, and multiple herbs. And the main goal is pretty much the same—to leave you with healthy hair that starts from the root. So how does a hair serum differ from a hair oil? “Hair oil has larger molecules that cannot penetrate through the scalp. It helps in the conditioning of the hair,” the expert describes. “Scalp serum, however, helps in combating dryness and soothes the tension caused by heat and pollution. It also helps in aiding healthy hair growth, by improving the scalp conditions to encourage the follicles to grow thicker and silkier hair.”
The importance of a scalp serum
It’s simple: a scalp serum is necessary to improve the quality of your hair. Depending on the ingredients present in the formula, it can help moisturise the scalp, remove buildup (especially if you’ve got an oily scalp), prevent hair loss, reduce dandruff, and overall leave you with the mane of your dreams. “Good scalp health care promotes good cell turnover and creates a healthy environment for optimal hair growth. It is essential as it determines the condition of your hair and prevents disease of the hair and scalp.”
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