Once a day, onto a clean scalp, on wet or dry hair. Part the hair, apply along the parting and the areas closest to the roots, massage in with your fingertips for 30 to 60 seconds, and do not rinse. Keep that up daily for 8 to 12 weeks and you have used the serum exactly as directed. Most bottles that "did nothing" were applied to the lengths instead of the scalp, rinsed out in the shower, or abandoned in week three.
This guide covers the routine for the LashOriginals Scalp & Root Serum, a leave-in cosmetic scalp serum with Procapil, biotin, keratin and panthenol. Every instruction comes from the product's own directions and the safety and usage guide. If your question is whether a cosmetic scalp serum does anything at all, that is covered in Does a Scalp Serum Actually Help Your Hair Look Fuller?
How to use a scalp serum, step by step
The Scalp & Root Serum is a 50 mL, lightweight, water-based leave-in built on Procapil (biotinoyl tripeptide-1, apigenin and oleanolic acid), biotin, keratin and panthenol. It is prostaglandin-free, non-greasy, needs no rinsing and is lightly scented with no lingering fragrance. It is cruelty-free but not vegan, because the keratin comes from sheep wool. One bottle is about 6 to 8 weeks of once-daily use and costs A$59.90.
- Patch test first. Apply a small amount to a discreet patch of skin and wait 24 hours to check for any sensitivity.
- Start with a clean scalp. Wet or dry both work. We suggest a clean, dry or towel-dried scalp for the best absorption.
- Use clean hands and apply directly to the scalp and roots. Part the hair and work along the parting and the areas closest to the roots, not the full lengths. A little goes a long way, so use only the recommended amount on the pack.
- Distribute it evenly across the scalp rather than concentrating it in one spot.
- Massage with your fingertips, not your nails. Small circles for 30 to 60 seconds help spread the serum evenly.
- Do not rinse. It is a leave-in and absorbs quickly.
- Style as usual. Let the serum absorb before any other leave-in product or styling oil goes on the lengths. Close the lid tightly and store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat, out of reach of children.
It is for external use only. Keep it away from your eyes; if it does get in, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Do not apply it to an irritated, damaged or highly sensitive scalp. If irritation occurs, stop using it. If it persists, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Scalp serum before or after shampoo? Wet or dry hair?
After shampoo, not before. It is a leave-in, so anything applied before washing goes straight down the drain. The directions ask for a clean scalp, and wet, towel-dried and dry hair all work.
On wash day: shampoo, rinse, towel-dry, then apply the serum to the scalp, massage it in and style as usual. Do not rinse it out.
On a non-wash day: apply it to dry hair. The directions allow dry hair, so daily use does not mean daily washing.
With other products: the serum goes on the scalp first. Let it absorb, then apply any other leave-in product or styling oil to the lengths. It can go on before or after styling.
How often to use scalp serum, and for how long
Once a day. Morning or night both work; choose whichever you will actually remember. It can be used morning and night if preferred, but once daily is the recommendation.
Daily for 8 to 12 weeks. Hair cycles are slower than lash cycles, so this is a longer commitment than a lash serum. Here is what to expect from consistent daily use:
- Weeks 2 to 4: the scalp feels comfortable and moisturised, and hair looks glossier at the root. Most customers notice the first changes around week 4.
- Weeks 8 to 12: with continued daily use, hair typically looks fuller and healthier at the roots. Individual results vary.
One bottle lasts most customers around 6 to 8 weeks of daily use, depending on hair density and amount, so a full 8 to 12 week routine usually needs two bottles. Put plainly: consistency over months is what pays off.
5 mistakes that waste a bottle
- Applying it to the lengths. The formula absorbs into the scalp, not the lengths. Serum on the mid-lengths is serum wasted.
- Over-applying. A little goes a long way. More in one go does not shorten the 8 to 12 week timeline, and the safety guide says to use only the recommended amount.
- Rinsing it out. It is a leave-in. If it goes on in the shower and gets rinsed, it never stayed on the scalp. Apply after the final rinse and leave it.
- Skipping days. Daily use over 8 to 12 weeks gives the conditioning ingredients time to do their job. Consistency matters more than quantity.
- Stopping at week three. No visible change in the first fortnight is normal. First changes typically show around week 4, and the full effect is judged at weeks 8 to 12. A bottle abandoned in week three never reached the point where you could judge it.
Men, and coloured or treated hair
The formula is unisex. It is suitable for both women and men, and for straight, curly, coloured and treated hair alike, so the routine does not change. For coloured or treated hair, the point to remember is where it goes: on the scalp, not the lengths, so it does not affect colour. If you have a scalp condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Do you use scalp serum on wet or dry hair?
Either. The directions say wet or dry hair, and we suggest a clean, dry or towel-dried scalp for the best absorption. What matters is that it goes onto a clean scalp, not the lengths.
Do you apply scalp serum before or after shampoo?
After. It is a leave-in, so it goes on after washing, on a towel-dried or dry scalp, and stays there. Applying it before shampoo washes it straight out. On non-wash days, apply it to dry hair.
How often should you use scalp serum?
Once a day, morning or night, whichever you will remember. Once daily is the recommendation, and consistency over 8 to 12 weeks matters more than the amount used in any one application.
How long does scalp serum take to work?
Most customers notice the first changes around week 4, with the full effect judged at around weeks 8 to 12 of daily use. Early on, the scalp feels comfortable and moisturised and hair looks glossier at the root. By weeks 8 to 12, hair typically looks fuller and healthier at the roots. Individual results vary.
Will scalp serum make my hair look greasy?
No. It is a lightweight, water-based leave-in with a non-greasy finish. It absorbs into the scalp rather than the lengths and does not weigh hair down. If it does feel heavy, you are probably using too much or applying it to the lengths.
General information about a cosmetic product, not medical advice. LashOriginals Scalp & Root Serum is a cosmetic that conditions the scalp and hair and supports the appearance of fuller-looking, healthier-looking hair. It is not a therapeutic good. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication, or have a scalp condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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