A new hair trend has taken over the Tik Tok beauty community—people are sleeping in their hair masks, oils, and leave-in conditioning treatments for extra-smooth strands come morning. It all started with the Tik Tok popularization of face slugging, a decades-old technique coined by the Korean beauty world. Face slugging is a technique that claims to help lock in moisture with a petroleum-based ointment as the final step in your skincare routine. The goal is to create the appearance of softer and more hydrated skin when you wake up. Fans of the skin technique decided to apply a similar technique to their strands in hopes of equally stunning results.
Hair slugging may be worth considering if you suffer from dry, brittle hair or are just looking to treat your strands. This technique may be new to the internet, but hair slugging has been a cherished practice amongst several cultures for centuries. So what is hair slugging, and how do you get started? Below is everything you need to know about the latest hair slugging trend.
What is hair slugging?
Hair slugging is when you coat freshly washed hair in hydrating hair masks or hair oils and cover it with a plastic cap or silk scarf before bed. Then the next morning, you’ll thoroughly rinse the product out of your hair. Many Tik Tokers claim that the extra dose of moisture helps with frizz and makes your hair appear shinier and softer.
While this moisturizing technique has taken over the web at the moment, this is no new practice. Many cultures have passed down this hydrating hair method from generation to generation, just under a different name. Black women have been known to use hot oil treatments to impart moisture into their strands. Heating the oil helps it to penetrate the hair shaft, making strands lush and robust.
Coating hair in oil is also something South Asian cultures have been doing for thousands of years. The technique was originally called hair oiling. So, what is hair oiling? It is a traditional Ayurvedic ritual where you take a blend of plant-based oils like castor, coconut, or grapeseed oil and apply it from root to tip, making sure to massage it in. You then leave it overnight and rinse it out the next morning—just like hair slugging.
How do you slug your hair?
First, you will want to make sure you start with freshly washed hair. You then will take your hair oil or serum of choice and heavily coat the hair from root to tip or from mid-shaft to the ends if you are concerned with product build-up near the scalp. Be generous when covering the ends of the hair and massage your fingers to distribute the product evenly. You can also rub the oil into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
Next, take a sock, cover the hair's ends, and secure it with a ponytail holder overnight. You can also opt for a silk scarf or wrap, which will prevent pulling and snagging and avoid soaking your pillow in oil. If you don't want to slug overnight, you only need an hour to get the same hydrating results.
Lastly, the most important thing is to thoroughly clean your hair afterward. Not doing so can lead to clogged pores and product build-up, making styling difficult. Once your hair has been carefully rinsed, you can style it as fit. Your hair should feel smooth, bouncy, and hydrated.
How often should you do slugging?
It’s recommended that you only slug your hair once a week. You’ll want to avoid doing it more than once a week to prevent over-moisturizing.
Who can do hair slugging?
Hair slugging can be rewarding for all hair textures, but the products and application process may vary depending on hair type. Opting for a lighter oil over a heavier hair mask can prevent your hair from being weighed down if you have finer hairs. In contrast, you may want a heavier oil or conditioning treatment to saturate the hair if you have a thicker texture. In the end, the results are usually the same—happy and hydrated hair. Just make sure to rinse the product out the next day to prevent product build-up.
Planning to add hair slugging to your hair care routine? Shop our best hair masks and oils at Hair.com.
