Conventionally, most people are habituated to sticking to the same good ol’ shampoo and conditioner or hair mask that managed to work wonders on their hair type once or, perhaps, multiple times. However, social media has led to the emergence of a new hair care trend which involves not being a loyalist with just one set of hair care products. Dubbed shampoo cycling, or hair cycling, the trend is all about being explorative with a slew of hair care products to address a bunch of your hair concerns instead of being glued to the same duo perpetually.
With over 1.8 billion views that the hashtag #haircycling has amassed on TikTok, the trend has not only made a (big) mark on social media but has also made its way into the hair care routine of beauty fanatics across the globe. That you have a boundless barrage of hair products to choose from under every and any category in today’s day and age is just an added bonus. If you’re wondering what is hair cycling exactly, here’s a primer on the trend and how you can get it right.
What is shampoo cycling?
One strategy for achieving the best possible health for your hair is to cycle through various hair products for your scalp and hair on a regular basis. While shampoo cycling is one part, the scope of hair cycling also includes juggling between other products such as scalp scrubs, hair masks, serums, and more based on the mood (read: requirements) of your hair on a given day.
For starters, it’s key to note that a lot of external and internal factors can influence the look and feel of your hair—from stress, nutrient deficiencies and hormonal fluctuations to environmental damage and pollution, everything is secretly taking a toll on your hair health, which makes this a customised trend of sorts for your hair every day. From using a clarifying shampoo on greasy scalp days to using a deep conditioning mask on the ends, hair cycling is all about addressing the different needs of your hair on different days.
How can you start shampoo cycling?
Listen to your hair—even if that means giving your hair a ‘rest day’, if need be. Also, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to selecting hair products. Your scalp type, hair type, styling preferences, and natural hair texture all play a role in determining which products will work best for you. Keep these factors in mind when choosing your hair products.
As a golden rule, begin with a scalp-clarifying shampoo to just start with a clean slate (read: scalp). Then, as you progress from one hair wash to the other, you need to start assessing your hair. For instance, if you’ve ended up using a lot of hair styling products at a point, you can include an exfoliating scalp scrub in your next hair wash, or if you’ve been noticing dry ends, you might want to swap your conditioner with a deep nourishing mask.
The bottom line
Hair cycling or shampoo cycling is a smart, hair-benefitting and calculative approach that can work in the favour of your hair health incredibly. One of the benefits of selecting hair products based on your scalp type, hair type, and natural hair texture is that you can choose ingredients and formulations that specifically address your current needs and concerns. And, you really don’t have to complicate this too much—observe how your hair is feeling and behaving and use a product in accordance. For instance, it’s a great idea to alternate between shampoos like the L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair Shampoo and Olaplex No. 4C Blond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo if you notice both roughness and build-up on your mane. Ultimately, you do what’s best for your hair every time it’s hair wash day.
