In the recent past, there has been a lot of conversation about serums and that too of all types – so, if there are vitamin C serums for the face, there are minoxidil or Baicapil serums for hair.
But what is the science behind hair growth serums?
How do they work? And more importantly, do they work?
In their pursuit of longer, healthier hair, many people turn to hair growth serums. These powerful elixirs promise to boost hair growth, reduce hair loss, and improve overall hair health.
However, knowing how they work is step one towards making a more informed choice.
Understanding the hair growth cycle is the foundation of hair growth serums
To understand how hair growth serums work, you need to understand the basics of the hair growth cycle.
Did you know that each hair on your head grows in a cyclical process involving three main phases?
- The anagen phase – Also known as the growth phase, this is the active phase, where the hair cells divide, and new hair emerges from the follicle. this phase can last from 2 to 7 years, and about 85-90% of your hair is in this phase at any given time.
- The catagen phase – Known as the transition phase, this phase tends to last about 2-3 weeks, and during this time, the hair follicle shrinks, and hair growth slows down. Hair detaches from the blood supply, preparing for the next phase.
- The telogen phase – Called the resting phase, during this time, the hair remains in the follicle but is no longer growing. After about 2-4 months, the hair sheds, and the follicle prepares for a new hair strand to grow.
Hair growth serums are designed to prolong the anagen phase of the hair, while stimulating the dormant hair follicles, and promoting healthier hair growth overall.
The starring ingredients in hair serums for hair growth
Although each hair serum might have different products, there will be most certainly a combination of ingredients that instigate new hair growth and reduce hair loss.
At indē wild, we have created our Moonlight Scalp Serum, in which we have handpicked ingredients that are considered Ayurvedic powerhouses as well as actives that have proven their worth in the world of chemistry.
Here are the ingredients we chose:
- Redensyl (3%) - This blend of ingredients like Centella and Larix Europaea Wood Extract, has clinical backing in helping promote hair growth.
- Procapil (3%) - Procapil is a combination of peptide, potent Apigenin and oleanolic acid and this combination is proven to help improve overall hair strength. Regular usage of this ingredient is known to help reduce hair fall as well, helping build hair volume.
- Baicapil (3%) - A blend of scutellaria baicalensis, soy, arginine and wheat sprouts, Baicapil helps stimulate hair growth and can give you healthy and voluminous hair.
- Caffeine (0.3%) - Our scalp serum also contains caffeine, a powerful stimulant that can provide support to the barrier function of the scalp. It can also help increase the penetration of other ingredients and promote hair regrowth.
- Burdock Extract Complex (1.5%) - Burdock is a traditional plant that is mentioned several times in Ayurvedic texts for its antioxidant, soothing and protective benefits. The ingredient is also known to help build keratin.
- Gotu Kola Extract Complex (0.5%) - Gotu Kola, also known as Centella Asiatica, is a plant active that can help increase hair regrowth and reduce hair fall. This ingredient can also increase strength and shine of your hair, while soothing your scalp.
- Bhringraj Extract Complex (0.5%) - Bhringraj is recognised as an ayurvedic powerhouse that helps with hair growth and can provide nourishment to hair from within.
- Moringa Extract Complex (0.1%) - Moringa has become a much talked about ingredient in the recent past and this is so because it is known to be rich in vitamins A and B as well as omega-3 fatty acids. This ingredient can rejuvenate and revitalize dull, weak hair and improve hair growth.
- Amla Extract Complex - Amla or Indian gooseberry is known for its hair strengthening properties and its regular use could give you longer, stronger, softer and shinier hair.
So, how do hair growth serums work
Simply put, it is the combination of ingredients in a hair serum that make it work – the many parts come together to work as one!
What you need to remember is that there can be hair serums and scalp serums for hair growth and their working might be slightly different. However, when you pick a bottle of Moonlight Scalp Serum, you are getting it all in a single pack!
So, when you apply a hair growth serum, it typically works in two main ways:
- Stimulating hair follicles - Most hair growth serums are designed to stimulate dormant or underperforming hair follicles. By increasing blood circulation and delivering essential nutrients to the scalp, these serums help to “wake up” those hair follicles which might have stopped producing hair. Ingredients like peptides and caffeine are able to penetrate deep into the scalp, reaching the hair follicles and boosting their activity.
- Creating a better scalp environment – It is no rocket science that healthy hair can come only from a healthy scalp. By adding anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients that address scalp issues like dandruff, irritation, or excess oil production to our serum, we have ensured that we improve your scalp’s ‘microbiome’. By improving the foundation, we improve the results!
Now that you have a basic understanding of how serums for hair growth work, it’s time to get your own bottle of Moonlight Scalp Serum and watch how the science creates hair magic!