You're getting ready for that important party. Excitedly, you've grabbed your best outfit, done the nails and are moving to hair and make-up. This is when you start frowning, thanks to frizzy and dull hair. Now enter hair serum, and your quick fix solution is found. You drive off to the party happily.
How often have you gone through a similar situation? But stop, are you aware that regular hair serums can damage your hair and cause hair fall too? Let’s see what Dr. Zeel Gandhi, our Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, has to say about silicon-based hair serums.
Also, keep reading to understand why Ayurvedic, herbal serums are the need of the hour for your hair.
Highlights:
What Is Hair Serum?
Hair serums are silicon-based liquids with added ceramides and amino acids. When coated to your hair strands, they act as a shield and protect your hair from external damaging factors like heat, wind, UV radiation [1], etc.
A serum waterproofs your hair, which gives it a slippery effect. In short, it helps you achieve frizz-free hair that is smooth and shiny.
What Is The Problem With Silicon-Based Hair Serum?
Dr. Zeel says, "Most of the silicons are hydrophobic by nature. It means they don't get washed out easily when you wash your hair. In turn, this leaves your hair heavy and greasy. Eventually, it also makes your hair dry and brittle due to lack of moisture.’’
Application of silicon hair serum prevents moisture [2] from entering into your hair shaft. And, your hair becomes a soft spot for the accumulation of dirt and other pollutants. Wondering why?
Silicons are nothing but a hybrid of synthetic rubber and synthetic plastic. In fact, the lustre you get with hair serums is just the glossiness of a plastic coat. And, it does not reflect the health of your hair.
Also, adding an extra layer of silicon serum to your thin hair strands may weigh them down, making your hair more susceptible to breakage and fall. Your hair deserves better!
Why Is An Ayurvedic, Herbal Hair Serum The Best?
Ayurvedic herbs, when used in balanced formulations, not only transform the feel and look of your hair, but also work to improve the core health and well being of your hair with time.
The traditional Ayurvedic concept of hair care is based upon maintaining the balance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas (the biological energies) on your scalp.
According to Ayurveda, imbalance in Vata dosha leads to a lack of hydration and nourishment to your scalp and hair. It leads to dry, frizzy and broken hair with split ends, etc.
Imbalance in Pitta dosha leads to a lack of metabolism of necessary enzymes and nutrients on your scalp. This causes scalp inflammation, premature greying, hair thinning, etc.
Imbalance in Kapha dosha leads to over secretion of sebum on your scalp. This clogs your hair follicles and leads to oily scalp and hair, itching and other microbial infections, etc.
In the Ayurvedic system of hair care, the primary area to work on is where the life of your hair lies, i.e your scalp [3] (follicles). Although you may find herbal leave-in serums for your hair, the core strength of your hair can be developed by infusing your follicles with the right herbal potions.
So, let’s find out about powerful Ayurvedic herbs that you can look for in your scalp-applicable hair serums.
By analyzing a small piece of your hair, scientists can tell what environment you live in, what you ate or drank and what kind of hair products you use.
Ingredients To Look For In Herbal Hair Serum
1. Gotukola (Indian Pennywort)
Gotukola balances Kapha and Pitta doshas. It promotes thick and luscious hair growth as it stimulates proper blood circulation in your follicles. It is very useful in repairing the damaged scalp tissues and preventing stress-related hair loss.
2. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil balances Kapha and Vata doshas. It restores the vibrancy and natural shine of your hair. With rich natural conditioning agents [4], grapeseed oil helps you revive the moisture on your scalp and combat frizz. It is also among the lightweight oils, which does not make your hair oily or weigh it down.
3. Japa (Hibiscus)
Japa or hibiscus balances Kapha and Pitta doshas. It is one of the most beneficial herbs for your hair as it can be your exceptional weapon to prevent hair loss, premature greying, dandruff, dryness, breakage, frizz, and split ends. It boosts your hair volume by supporting thicker growth while making your hair look healthy and lustrous from within.
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4. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil balances all the three doshas. It is one of the powerful ingredients that help you restore your damaged hair. With extra-ordinary hydrating properties, jojoba oil helps you prevent split ends and hair fall.
5. Bhringraj (False Daisy)
Bhringraj, which also means ‘King of Hair’ in Sanskrit, balances Vata and Kapha doshas. Also, it is very useful to treat Pitta related problems like premature greying. This nutrient-rich herb provides deep conditioning to your hair and boosts the natural shine. It is well known for its rejuvenation properties in Ayurvedic hair care.
6. Kumari (Aloe Vera)
Kumari or Aloe vera balances all the three doshas. With plenty of essential vitamins and minerals, aloe vera promotes healthy and longer hair growth. It protects the moisture levels in your dry hair while it conditions and repairs your damaged hair efficiently. Also, it keeps away the scalp infections with its antimicrobial properties.
7. Argan Oil
Argan oil helps balance Vata and Pitta doshas. It has vital nourishing and moisturizing properties and it can be one of the best natural hydrating agents for your hair. With rich vitamin E [5], argan oil acts as a natural antioxidant for your scalp and hair.
8. Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia)
Bakuchi balances Kapha and Vata doshas. It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe your scalp. By healing your damaged hair and scalp tissues, bakuchi increases the luster and quality of your hair naturally.
How To Use A Herbal Hair Serum?
As discussed above, the scalp is the main area to work on to improve your hair health. Hence, it is absolutely fine if you limit your Ayurvedic serum application to your scalp, unless it is mentioned otherwise in the usage instructions of your product.
- Take the quantity of herbal serum as per the instructions on the bottle and apply it across your dry scalp using your finger pads. You can also apply it using a filler.
- Now, spread the serum thoroughly all over your scalp by massaging it gently in circular motions.
- You can also use a wooden comb or brush lightly to distribute the serum evenly to your scalp and hair.
- Leave your hair loose and free for some time without tying it up.
Important Note: If you are using a silicon-based serum, then you should never apply it to your scalp as it clogs your follicles. Silicon-based serums are meant for only the shaft portion of your hair.
Benefits Of Herbal Hair Serum
- Herbal serums can act as the natural conditioners for your hair without making your hair oily or greasy.
- They help you achieve natural smoothness in your hair with efficient cuticle integrity.
- Herbal serums impart natural sheen to your hair while its rich hydrating properties protect your hair from external damage caused by heat or the environment.
- They help in balancing your scalp pH and promote healthy hair growth from inside.
- With rich nourishment of herbal ingredients, Ayurvedic hair serums promote thick and strong hair growth while stimulating your dormant follicles.
- Herbal hair serums keep the unwanted side effects at bay while giving a long-lasting and natural hair health.
When To Apply Hair Serum?
It is recommended to apply your herbal hair serums after washing your hair with any Ayurvedic shampoo and air-drying your hair. Hair wash unclogs your hair follicles, which in turn increases the penetration capacity of herbal hair serum into the follicles. Also, it is better to apply the serum at night before sleeping.
Can You Use Hair Serum Daily?
You can use hair serums based upon your hair wash frequency. If you have dry hair, it is better to limit your hair wash to 2-3 times a week. Thus, you can apply hair serum twice or thrice in a week after your hair wash.
Important Note: Please consult your doctor and Ayurvedic practitioner before executing any of the herbal ingredients and procedures mentioned in this article.
The Last Word
Incorporating herbal hair serum in your hair care routine keeps your hair well hydrated, while preventing conditions like dandruff, accumulation of dirt and grease, etc. Also, with powerful hair growth stimulating herbs, herbal serums can be your great support system to boost stronger and lustrous hair without adverse effects as caused by silicon-based serums.
At Vedix, we customize an Ayurvedic hair care regimen including hair oil, shampoo, and serum with highly balanced and proven formulations based on your dosha levels.
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