Serum - is it bad for hair? I used it on dd(5) and the results are amazing.

[eugenefitzherbert]

DD1 insists she wants to keep her hair long but it is a constant battle to keep it looking any way groomed.

She has always been prone to tangles and fuzzy hair which are a nightmare and recently it was so bad at the back it was like little dredlocks. In desperation last night I rubbed loads of my serum through it after washing it in the bath. The knots brushed out so easily and it is soft, smooth and shiny today.

I'm sure I read somewhere that serum is actually damaging. Is this true and would it be ok to use maybe once a week or so to keep it nice?

Thanks

I've never read it is damaging

me neither, why would it be i wonder

Not sure why - alcohol in it or silicones maybe?

I'm always half reading or half listening to bits of beauty advice. I should pay more attention

It's not damaging afaik, but it builds up on hair if you use it too much, making it look dull, and dry/greasy at the same time I love it but only use about once every 3-4 washes.

I got 'tantrum' detangling spray for my dd, it really works, lasts ages and smells gorgeous. Don't think it contains silocone.

Johnsons have a new 'tangle free' spray for children, that is good. Bought it from tesco. i have used a smidge of serum on my ds hair in the past as it is curly but only once in a while.

I use serum every day on my hair and when my DD was long after every wash on hers. Dont think there is any problem with it other than the cost!

I think goodegg is right - not damaging per se but as it's rammed full of silicones there is build-up, and my hair certainly eventually gets dull and frizzy again. And to avoid build-up you need a harsher shampoo - etc etc. I use products with silicones very sparingly therefore (but I don't boycott them altogether) and try to keep my hair in better nick mostly by using gentle (sls free) shampoo and heavy duty but silicone free conditioner (Matrix biolage balm works wonders on my hair and dd's - both mad frizzy and curly)

the prob with silicone products is that they seem AMAZING at first but the effect doesn't last

Look at the curly girl threads here and/or curly girl website for loads of tips on keeping hair smooth and luscious without using them!

I used to be a serum junky but fell victim to the silcone build-up, and also found I had to straighten all the time, or my hair jsut looked lifeless. I've recently started using a Matrix Biolage Oil in place of serum and it is great.

ooh, matrix do a biolage oil? excellent, thanks daimbardiva!

yup here it is

It's marketed for colour care but I find it does the trick for smoothing/frizz. My hairdresser gave it to me when I was asking her about Moroccan oil, as it contains the argan oil without the silicones

Thanks for the advice.

I've tried de-tangling sprays in the past and didn't find them much help.

daimbardiva I actually have a Matrix Biolage Shine Spray and it is very good - I might try that on her and get the Biolage Oil when I need a new product myself.