The Science Behind Serine Benefits for Treating Hair Loss

Serine is a naturally occurring, non-essential amino acid (meaning the body can produce it) that plays a critical role in the body's protein synthesis. For this reason, serine is a valuable ingredient in skin and hair care products. This is why the Divi team utilizes serine in our Shampoo, Conditioner, and Scalp Serum.

Serine is a popular conditioning agent used in cosmetics, but this fabulous ingredient does so much more. It's also gentle, soothing and a great texture-enhancer!

Learn more about how serine in Divi's trifecta of products has the potential to aid hair growth and combat hair loss symptoms.

Do Studies Support Serine as a Treatment for Hair Loss?

Studies show that serine is the precursor to several amino acids, including cysteine – an amino acid that plays an important role in the hair growth cycle.

Particularly, studies show that cysteine plays an important role in determining hair fiber diameter. Cysteine is an important component of keratin – the protein comprising a strand of hair. Moreover, it has been shown that a diminished cysteine supply can cause stunted hair growth and hair thinning.

This is where serine comes in.

Serine has the ability to replenish cysteine levels in the hair, restoring strength and smoothness.

Moreover, scientific research into hair loss remedies showed that a hair-growing preparation composed of serine, cystine, leucine, vitamins, minoxidil and various other natural ingredients can lead to better and faster hair growth.

How Can Serine Benefit Your Hair and Scalp?

Hydrates Your Scalp and Hair

Serine is a major amino acid consisting of natural moisturizing factors (NMF) and is a highly efficient humectant. This means serine can effectively hold water molecules and deliver them to the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the epidermis).

In simple, nonscientific terms, serine can retain moisture in the scalp and strands, keeping them hydrated. A dry scalp is a sign of potential hair loss or hair thinning. Serine in hair care products helps prevent dry scalp.

Helps Condition and Strengthen Hair

Serine aids in providing intense conditioning properties for hair, leading to stronger hair and less hair fall. Serine is one of 18 amino acids found in hair that play an important role in the hair cycle.

Keratin, the main building block of human hair, is rich in certain amino acids, including serine. Alongside other amino acids, serine contributes to the formation of new hair strands.

Due to the high protein content, serine is part of the amino acid composition of collagen and plays an important role in collagen production. Collagen can help replenish hair loss and repair damaged hair by promoting hair growth.

Calms Frizz

Thanks to serine's water-binding ability, the amino acid also acts as an anti-static agent in Divi’s Shampoo and Conditioner products. Serine can help calm frizzy hair – often caused by dryness – by locking moisture into the hair strands.

Effects of Topical Serine Application to the Scalp

As an ingredient often used in skin and hair care products, the topical application of serine can lead to many benefits. Serine can be found in Divi's Shampoo, Conditioner, and Scalp Serum as an ingredient topically applied to your scalp.

Serine is very gentle in nature and has a soothing effect on the scalp. It is primarily used as a hair conditioning agent that helps to boost collagen production and retain moisture.

Is Serine Safe for the Scalp?

Multiple top regulatory bodies, including the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), say serine is safe to use in cosmetic and personal care products.

In Divi's products, all ingredients are measured carefully and dermatologically tested to reduce the chance of any adverse effects.

That said, it is always recommended to do a patch test before using new products to check for any signs of irritation, such as redness, itching or a stinging sensation. If you experience any side effects of Divi’s Scalp Serum, Shampoo, or Conditioner, stop using the product and talk with your doctor about next steps.

Does Serine as a Divi Ingredient Treat Hair Loss?

While serine cannot directly treat hair loss, it is a vital precursor to several amino acids, including glycine and cysteine – two amino acids that play important roles in the hair growth cycle.

While our products might not directly treat hair loss, they can improve scalp health and relieve hair loss symptoms such as scalp and hair dryness. These improvements to the scalp create an environment for hair to flourish.

Hair Loss and Androgenetic Alopecia Explained

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), commonly referred to as male and female pattern baldness, is a common type of hair loss occurring in both men and women. It is a genetic cause of hair loss. There are other genetic causes, but AGA is the most common.

Hair loss from androgenetic alopecia is caused by an increase in androgens in the human hair follicle, which can cause a shortening of the growth phase of the hair cycle (anagen phase) and an increased time between hair shedding (exogen phase) and the start of a new growth phase.

Men with androgenetic alopecia typically lose hair around the temples and crown, while women with AGA experience hair thinning in the center part of the head.

Other Common Causes of Hair Loss

Hormonal imbalances

Both men and women can develop hormonal imbalances leading to hair thinning or hair loss. Hormonal hair loss is more common in women and can be caused by pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and the use of birth control.

Stress

Undergoing a highly stressful event can cause temporary hair loss, known as telogen effluvium. This condition is reversible once the stress decreases.

Medications and Medical Treatments

Certain medications and medical treatments can cause hair loss or hair thinning. Hair loss is a common side effect in drugs used for cancer (chemotherapy), heart problems, high blood pressure and depression.

Nutritional deficiencies

Certain vitamins and minerals aid in the hair regrowth cycle and cellular turnover, namely protein, zinc, iron and vitamin D. Low levels of these vitamins and nutrients can cause a chronic form of telogen effluvium.

Hairstyles and Treatments

Hairstyles that constantly pull your hair can cause traction alopecia. In addition, excessive use of heated styling tools and treatments (such as relaxers, hair dyes and perms) can damage hair and cause hair loss.

Other Divi Ingredients That Can Help Prevent Hair Loss or Promote Hair Growth

We combine a powerful blend of clean-based, scientifically proven ingredients in our products to help maintain a healthy scalp, promote hair growth, and combat hair loss symptoms.

Some other Divi ingredients helping you achieve optimal hair health include:

Copper Tripeptide-1: Stimulates collagen production for enhanced hair growth and thicker hair strands
Peppermint oil: Soothes inflamed and irritated scalps
Jojoba seed oil: Alleviates dandruff and dry skin by moisturizing and protecting hair
Green tea extract: Promotes hair growth by preventing the activity of hormones responsible for hair loss
Tea tree oil: Prevents buildup and banishes dandruff
Caffeine and Eucalyptus oil: Reduces inflammation of the scalp and treats hair loss symptoms
Black pepper seed extract: Reduces scalp stress and stimulates blood circulation

FAQs

How can I use serine for hair loss treatment?

You can find serine in Divi's Scalp Serum – a product designed to provide optimal scalp health for better and stronger hair growth. Serine can also be found in our Shampoo and Conditioner, both of which are formulated to aid in treating hair loss symptoms.

Can serine help with dry scalp?

Yes! Serine is used primarily as a skin and hair conditioning agent in the cosmetic industry. Serine can retain moisture and soothe the skin.

Why Divi?

At Divi, we strive to provide hair care that nourishes, protects, and strengthens all hair types. We only use vegan and dermatologically approved ingredients aligning with our scalp health philosophy.

Our products are also 100% cruelty-free and backed by science! We only use clean ingredients, scientifically proven to promote scalp health. Buy a bottle of Divi’s Scalp Serum to begin topically adding serine and other ingredients to your scalp daily.