An Expert Guide To Nailing A ‘Hair Cycling’ Routine

If skin cycling has changed your life then get ready for hair cycling.

Yes, you heard that right. The popular skin care technique can also be applied to your locks.

With almost just as many hair products out there as skin care products (we’re talking shampoos, conditioners, hair oils, masks, colour treatments and so on…) it makes total sense to bring a little more order into our hair care routines.

But is hair cycling really as effective as skin cycling? We answer this question and everything else you need to know about hair cycling below.

What Is Hair Cycling?

Hair cycling takes the same less-is-more approach as skin cycling—but applies it to your hair.

If you need a little refresher on the concept of skin cycling, —it’s essentially a four day skin care routine that involves using active ingredients (or more powerful ingredients) for two days and then giving your skin a break from these ingredients for another two.

The term was first coined by New York-based dermatologist, Dr. Whitney Bowe, who also suggested the four-day cycle.

The method aims to simplify our skin care routines by reducing the amount of products we use and most crucially, give our skin a chance to recover from the products we put on it.

The result? Healthy, glowing skin.

And when it comes to our hair, the same method can be applied.

Leading Australian hair artist and expert Natalie Anne, defines hair cycling as the “rotation of products in your hair care routine.”

Essentially, this means developing a hair care routine that’s based around a selection of products that you use on an alternating basis.

This will not only help you avoid overusing certain products but also help you find a hair care routine that’s supportive and sustainable for your unique hair goals.

The Benefits Of Hair Cycling

We’ve all been told not to wash our hair everyday, right? Well, hair cycling echoes this sentiment.

In fact, before TikTok gave hair cycling its catchy name, the technique was already promoted by hair stylists.

“When we prescribe products to clients, we always tell them to rotate those products. You don’t want a client to get used to a particular product range and you want to make sure that they’re getting the benefit,” Natalie Anne tells us.

Because even the perfect hair product can be overused.

For example, repeated use of overly rich products can cause a build-up of oils and moisture while using too many detoxifying products can cause dry scalp and irritation.

Hair cycling can prevent some of these annoying scalp issues from occurring by bringing a little more balance into your hair care routine.

The result? A healthier scalp and more luscious looking locks.

What Does A Hair Cycling Routine Look Like?

A hair cycling routine will look different for everyone as your hair type and texture should play an important role in how you structure the cycling.

For example, if your hair is prone to oilyness then you might look at swapping your usual moisture rich shampoo and conditioner for a more detoxifying and clarifying one a few days a week.

However, as a general guide, a typical hair cycling routine is generally structured around two types of washes with an optional third wash prior to styling.

Each of these washes will provide your hair with a different type of care:

1. clarifying and detoxifying

2. repairing and strengthening

3. preparation for styling.

Like skin cycling, it’s also important that your hair cycling routine includes rest days, or days that you don’t wash your hair.

But before you get too worried about how many rest days to leave between washes, Natalie Anne says that there’s no right or wrong, and how often you wash your hair is entirely based on your lifestyle and personal preferences.

“You have to consider whether someone is going to the gym or doing Bikram yoga,” Natalie explains.

“If they have curly hair then they might not have to wash as much as someone with straight, fine hair that does Bikram.”

First wash: detox and clarify

The first wash of the cycle should focus on detoxing and clarifying the hair. This is an important step that will help you get rid of any product or oil build-up that might be dulling your locks.

For this wash, Natalie Anne recommends using a sulphate-free shampoo.

While one wash will suffice, to really cleanse and purify your sculpt, you might opt for a double or even triple wash on this night.

This is also the best time to make use of that scalp scrub or shampoo brush to gently exfoliate the scalp.

Second wash: repair and strengthen

Your second wash is all about strengthening and repairing your hair—which is particularly important for anyone who has had colour treatment done.

The best way to do this is with bond-building products, which will restore the hydrogen bonds and replenish the proteins in your locks. In other words, bond-building ingredients can repair your hair follicles and eliminate breakage.

This is also the time to add a hydrating mask or leave in conditioner to add some moisture back into your mane. We are fans of the L’Oreal Absolut Molecular Repair range, specifically formulated for damaged hair.

Third wash: preparation for styling

This is an entirely optional wash that you might only add to your hair cycling routine if you’re about to do some heavy styling to your hair—so plan accordingly.

The third wash involves any of your can’t-live-without pre-styling products, such as volumizers, thickening creams, sea-salt sprays and mousses.

After this wash, you can repeat the cycle from wash one again.

Who Should Try Hair Cycling?

Hair cycling is suitable for any hair type, colour and condition but you might particularly benefit from the technique if your hair is feeling a little bleh.

While hair cycling generally involves removing unnecessary products from your hair care routine, it could involve adding products if you have been using the same shampoo and conditioner for the last ten years.

Natalie Anne says that anyone could and should try hair cycling because it’s essentially another way of looking after our hair.

“I definitely think that as women, we should start to look after our hair like we do our skin and our body. Hair is always the afterthought. I usually ask how many makeup brushes do you have? And someone will say 10, 15, 20, and so ok, how many hair brushes? One.”

But she also says that it’s important to choose products that suit your own unique hair type and texture.

The easiest way to do this?

Natalie Anne says, “definitely speak to your stylist and get them to give you a thorough consultation.”

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