Using The Best Hair Serums To Achieve Impressive Hair

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By Joanna Walsh


Hair is an important part of personal image, and many people try to cultivate long, ample hair so as to enable more sophisticated styling possibilities or generate a striking appearance. Yet long locks also suffer trouble, such as desiccation (dryness), discoloration or breakage. Using the best hair serums is one step that people take in keeping theirs strong and supple.

The concept of a serum is not new. Hundreds of years ago, when people did not bathe on a regular basis, the accumulation of naturally secreted sebum (scalp wax) would actually form solid caking in the strands, thereby making them easier to style and also protecting them at the same time. Daily washing in modern times eliminates the sebum and makes this impossible to achieve.

Artificial serums are therefore more popular nowadays, especially since caked sebum would be seen as a sign of immensely poor personal hygiene. They come in two forms - silicon-based (synthetic) and organic. The organic variant is not surprising, since there is a modern sub-trend to move away from synthetic chemicals, whether in food or cosmetics.

Silicon-based serums contain a silicon emollient which adheres to the scalp and the strands, forming a continuous plastic-like layer. It therefore insulates the individual strands in much the same way that cellophane seals food in the fridge. This provides protection against mechanical damage. The serum also contains ceramides and amino acids.

These technical terms are easy to explain. Proteins in the body consist of amino acids, which are the basic construction units of proteins in other animals too. Since hair is also a protein (or mostly one, namely keratin), the amino acids in the serum provide nourishment to it, so that it is able to stay as it was when it first grew. Another example of keratin is the nails of the fingers and toes, which are, in fact, nothing more than aggregated keratin.

Since it is biological structural material, protein is susceptible to external trauma and damage. A common protein such as albumen (egg white) provides a good example of this. If albumen is left outside, unprotected, it soon starts to denature, or lose its usual (read ideal) properties. The heat of the sun, as an example, cause it to change its nature. Keratin is not very similar to albumen, but the same principle applies. The strand becomes old in appearance, weaker, and loses its moisture and color.

The main difference between silicon and organic serums is that the latter do not contain silicon. Apparently, the silicon is too effective as a barrier and actually asphyxiates the strand, while trapping chemicals inside the protected space, which in turn cause it to break. Users will have to decide for themselves which version they prefer, based on their own experience and homework.

Having some general knowledge on how the serums work is useful in using them and judging their effect. For those who try to have impressive, healthy hair at all times, hair serums may be of some assistance.




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