Beauty
The lowdown on TikToks latest fixation.
Lauren Penzi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist atMDCS Dermatology.
Read on for everything to know about hair cycling and how to incorporate it into your beauty routine.
Common components of a hair cycling routine includecleansing,clarifying,conditioning, andusing a mask, saysDr.
Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell.
If youre dealing withproduct buildup, for instance, youd want to reach for a clarifying treatment.
If your hair is feeling extra dry, youd opt for a hydrating mask and/or nourishing conditioner.
If you dye your hair a lot, arepairing maskmight feel right.
In other words, if youve noticed a pesky ongoing issue, hair cycling might be for you.
And by constantly swapping them, you ensure you dont use too much of any one product.
Similar toskin cycling, cycling hair care products canhelp to prevent irritation or dryness.
This, according to Penzi, ensures you get the most benefit out of each formula.
Your cycle is custom-designed based on your individual hair needs, says Penzi.
As an example, Penzi points to her straight, oily hair that she says isprone to dandruff.
She usually skipshair oilsbut does use aleave-in conditioning treatmentonce a month to keep her ends hydrated and healthy.
Because her hair is oily, Penzi says she prefers to shampoo every day.
A general rule of thumb is to keep your regimen as simple as possible.
To figure out exactly what your hair needs, Garshik recommends adding just one new product at a time.
If you have other hair concerns, then you could add a third product, and so on.
Hair cycling doesnt necessarily require a lot of products, Garshik says.
One or two might do the trick.
And hey, if your hair is fine as-is, you might not need anything extra at all.
Hair cycling is all about figuring out whatyouneed.
Studies referenced:
Grymowicz, M. (2020).Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles.
Int J Mol Sci.
Punyani, S. (2021).The Impact of Shampoo Wash Frequency on Scalp and Hair Conditions.
