For damaged and frizzy hair, you might have heard that serums and masks are great, but have you ever wondered what is the difference between the two? Well, you’re at the right place, because this guide will unfold all there is to hair masks and hair serums. This will also help you know which one to use after flat ironing your hair or after getting keratin treatment by hairstylist.
Hair Masks Vs. Hair Serums
The Product
First things first, you need to know how a hair mask and hair serum differ, when it comes to the base of the product and how they look and feel in consistency.
Hair Masks
Hair masks are kind of like the masks you use on the face. It has the consistency of thick mayonnaise and it is also sometimes referred to as a pack. It usually comes in a jar and you can scoop it out with your hands and apply it to the length of the hair. It is really creamy and whipped in consistency, so you can definitely use it to nourish your hair.
Hair Serums
Hair serums kind of look like oils but they’re very potent. They usually come in small bottles with either a dropper or a spray so that you can easily apply them on the mane. It does look like oil, but the application is not greasy at all.
Hair serums work with the motto “less is more”, so you don’t need to saturate your hair in it. A little bit of serum goes a long way and it is going to smooth the hair out in no time.
The Application
Next up is the application process. Hair serums and hair masks differ a lot when it comes to application and here is how you can apply both of them on the hair.
Hair Masks
For hair masks, you want to follow the instructions on the jar. Once you read through them, you will know whether to apply it to wet hair or dry hair. A lot of the time, a hair mask is applied before you want to shampoo the hair, so make sure that you’re doing this before you hop into the shower.
Apply it all over the hair, making sure to massage it into your hair and the ends and then leave it on for the allocated time. You can wash it off once the time is up. Some hair masks, which are lighter in consistency, can be applied after showering, so it depends on what product you’re getting.
Hair Serums
As far as hair serums are concerned, their application is a bit different from the former. Hair serums are applied after a shower and they are considered to be a leave-in treatment. Don’t worry because it won’t make your hair look or feel greasy and it is going to replenish the hair while you are out and about.
Take a small quantity of hair serum and apply it to the scalp and the ends of the hair. You want to apply it evenly and then brush the hair out. That’s pretty much all there is to it.
The Results
The next thing to consider is the results and how each product makes your hair look and feel.
Hair Masks
Hair masks are just like how you would view face masks. They’re masks that you apply to the hair and they nourish and soften the hair. Any surface-level damage is treated and reversed and it is something that will leave your hair feeling soft and very smooth. Since hair masks are extremely emollient, they will make the strands soft and silky in no time. You can also make your DIY hair masks.
Hair Serums
As far as hair serums are concerned, they’re amazing too when it comes to repairing damage, but the difference is that they stay in the hair longer and even though the results don’t show overnight, serums are targeted products that go deep into the hair follicles and repair the damage from the inside out.
What It Caters To
So, by now, you might get the gist of a hair serum and a mask, but the lingering question will be: Well, what do I use a hair serum or a mask for? What does my hair have to look like to choose a certain product?
Hair Masks
Well, hair masks are not targeted treatments, so they won’t do a whole lot when it comes to damage. If your hair is just in the throes of dryness and you haven’t given it some TLC in a long time, then a hair mask is the perfect product to use as it will make the hair soft again. If you suffer from frizzy hair and want to tame it, then go for it.
Hair Serums
As for hair serums, they are mainly for extremely damaged or chemically treated hair. If you love going to hair color correction hair salons Rockville for dyeing your hair or like to chemically straightening your or even like to style it with heat daily, then you need hair serum in your hair care arsenal.
This is going to protect your hair from further damage and it is also going to restore the hair to make it healthier in the long run. So, now you know exactly which product is perfect for what your hair calls for.
The Use
Hair Masks
Hair masks can be applied once a week and you can rotate using different hair masks for different hair needs. If your hair is very frizzy, then you can also apply the mask twice a week, but anything more than that will be too much for the hair.
Hair Serums
As for hair serums, you want to apply them every time you are either styling the hair or you can also apply them right after you wash and condition the hair. If you apply a small amount, then it won’t weigh the hair down and it will look normal as ever.
What The Hair Looks Like?
Hair Masks
You can’t apply a hair mask on your hair and then go out in public, unless you want to rock a shower cap or a plastic bag on your head. Some hair masks can be applied after you wash your hair, but they’re seldom effective, so you want to stick to the real deal whenever you can.
Hair masks will leave the hair feeling very heavy until you wash it off, so make sure that you don’t have any plans later in the day, because the longer the mask stays on the hair, the better it is.
Hair Serums
As for hair serums, they have a great advantage over hair masks, because you can apply them after showering and you won’t look like your hair is unwashed or weighed down. It is very lightweight, given that you work with small quantities.
Now, hair serums can get out of hand really quickly, so make sure that you are not saturating the hair with the product, or else, the whole fresh and clean look of the hair will be ruined. Use a small quantity and it will be enough.
Conclusion
Hair masks and hair serums, even though they might sound familiar, are poles apart. However, both have their unique benefits and are also recommended by permanent hair straightening salons Rockville after getting keratin treatment, Brazilian blowout, or any other treatment for controlling damage control and improving hair health.
