How to Easily Use Hair Serum

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A guide to where to put hair serum & how much to use

Co-authored by Karen Leight

Last Updated: January 17, 2024 Approved

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Products

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Amount

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Application

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Expert Q&A

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Warnings

Hair serum can reduce frizz, and add shine, flexibility and strength to your hair.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.} Hair serum is typically for people with dry, wavy or curly hair that is medium to long length. However, the best way to see whether or not hair serum is right for you is to simply to try it. ^{[2]
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Research source} People recommend using hair serums in different ways. You can use it pre-wash, post-wash or post style, but it is most commonly used post style to give your hair shine.

Things You Should Know

Apply hair serum to wet hair. Rub 1 to 2 drops of hair serum between your hands to ensure the application is even.
Then, run your hands through your hair, starting in the middle of each strand and ending at the tips.^{[3]
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If you use heat on your hair often, apply a heat-protectant serum to your hair before you style it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Getting the Right Products

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1
Consider your options before buying hair serum. Check the labels and compare the hair serums to find one that fits your hair needs. There are different types of hair serum you can use depending on your hair type and preference. If you have thin hair, you may want to try a thickening serum. Or if you have fine hair, there are also lightweight serums for people whose hair does not require as much moisture. If you style your hair often, there are hair serums that also protect against damage due to heat.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.} If you already have damage from styling tools, you may want to purchase a serum with keratin, which can help put protein back in your hair.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.} There are also specifically designed serums to enhance the curls in curly and wavy hair, those that add high gloss, and on the other side, there are hair serums used to create a more natural looking hairstyles.^{[6]
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- You can find a range of hair serums at any department store or pharmacy.
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Apply a few squirts of serum to your hair before washing it. This is an optional step. Some people find that adding serum to the ends of their hair before they wash helps to fight the frizzing and drying caused by the chemicals in shampoos. To protect your hair while you wash, use more serum in your hair than normal. Apply 3-4 squirts of serum to the midsection and especially the ends of your hair.^{[7]
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- Wash and rinse your hair as normal, making sure to wash all of the soap out of your hair.
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Wash and condition your hair before you style. Another way to use serum requires that you apply the serum to soaking wet hair. When you shower, it is a good idea to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that are good for dry hair. Or if you have wavy or curly hair, you can buy anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner or shampoo and conditioner for curly/wavy hair hair.
- Consider doing a “no-poo” routine for cleansing wavy and curly hair. If you are trying to create more natural waves, there are shampoos without cleaning agents that rough up the cuticle and create frizz.
- If you are planning on only applying the serum to your styled hair, you can skip this step.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Right Amount of Serum

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Gently blot a couple of drops of serum into your soaking wet hair. Do not towel dry your hair before you apply serum. Hair experts say that it is best to apply hair serum directly to wet hair. Use 1-2 drops of serum on medium length hair. Rub the serum between your palms well, and then evenly distribute onto the midsection and ends of hair.
- Be careful not to use too much serum, it may make your hair greasy and heavy if you do.
Consider using a heat protectant spray on your hair before you style your hair with heat. You want to try to keep your hair as naturally strong and vibrant as possible so you can use less serum.
After you have styled your hair, put a teardrop amount of serum in your hand to start. You can always add more later. If you don’t want to squirt it in your hand, you squeeze out one to two finger tips worth of serum from the nozzle.
Distribute the drop in your palms evenly to help you evenly distribute the serum in your hair. For example, you don’t want all of your serum to end up in one spot on your head.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Applying the Serum

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Don’t start with the front or the top of your hair and ruin your style with too much serum. Instead, use your hands to gently blot the serum into the midsection and tips of your hair- starting at the back and moving forward to the front of your hair. This way, if you apply too much to your hair to start, it won’t be noticeable.
If you have been very careful not to over apply serum, you may need to add a little more to your hair. If your hair still looks a little dry, apply another drop to your hand, and, again, rub it between your palms well. Apply it now to the sides and front of your hair. The serum should make your hair less frizzy, more flexible and more vibrant.
After you have blotted your hair with the serum and it has the shine you want, your hair might be due for a last little volume boost. If your hair is a little flat, go back and re-curl/style your hair to re-energize it.
If after a couple hours or a day your hair serum is leaving your hair greasy and heavy, consider shopping for another hair serum. You may have picked a serum that doesn’t suit your hair type. It is common with hair products that trial and error is necessary before you have success.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Will hair serum help my hair grow?

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist
Karen Leight is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Karen Renee Hair, a private salon suite inside the Salon Republic Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Karen is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair color, balayage technique, and women’s and men’s precision haircuts.

Karen Leight

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, no. However, some serums contain keratin, which can reduce damage and strengthen your hair.

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Question

Can I use oil along with serum?

Community Answer

You may use oil with the serum, but most serums already contain some sort of oil.

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Question

Should I apply serum before straightening or after straightening?

Community Answer

Before straightening would be the better option. Most serums contain heat protectants so it can protect your hair from damage and cause it to be smooth at the same time.

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