Recently, social media has been buzzing with the latest beauty trend: hair cycling. Much like skin cycling, a term used for applying different skincare products on specific days, hair cycling is gaining popularity for its systematic approach to haircare.
What is hair cycling?
Hair cycling refers to a structured routine for caring for your hair and scalp. According to Dr Nazanin Saedi, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University, this method has become popular alongside skin cycling due to its similar approach.
While skin cycling involves using retinol, exfoliants and hydrators on rotation, hair cycling focuses on alternating between various haircare products.
Stefani Kappel, a board-certified dermatologist, told Martha Stewart’s blog that hair cycling is essentially an intentional haircare routine.
“The practice means creating a specific routine that supports your hair type and texture while addressing your scalp’s needs,” she says.
This method typically involves alternating between different types of shampoos, conditioners and masks, including both hydrating and clarifying products.
How to hair cycle?
Identify your hair type and needs: Determine your hair type (oily, dry, curly, straight, etc) and any specific concerns you have, such as dandruff or damage.
Choose your products: Select a range of products that cater to your hair’s needs. For example, use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner on one day, and a clarifying shampoo and mask on another.
Create a routine: Establish a schedule for when to use each product. A common approach might be using gentle, hydrating products most days and incorporating clarifying products once a week.
Incorporate rest days: Allow your hair and scalp to rest by incorporating days with no product application or using lighter products to avoid overloading them.
Adjust as needed: Pay attention to how your hair responds to different products and adjust your routine based on what works best for you.
Benefits of hair cycling:
By rotating products, you allow your hair and scalp to receive various benefits from different formulations. This can lead to healthier, shinier hair and a more balanced scalp.
Hair cycling can also help prevent product build-up and ensure that your hair doesn’t become too reliant on any single product.
In summary, hair cycling is all about creating a thoughtful, customised routine for your hair. It’s not just a trend but a practical approach to maintaining healthy and vibrant hair by using a variety of products in a strategic way.