The Latest TikTok Craze: What to Know About the Hair Cycle

One of the most important beauty trends driven by social media last year was the skin cycle – less is more to the skin – 2023 sees that trend spreading to hair care as well. In fact, at the time of writing this article, about 6.5 billion views for videos tagged with “hair loop”” On TikTok!

So what exactly is the hair cycle?

“The hair cycle changes the cleansing and conditioning products you use to more strategically address the specific needs of your hair,” explains Steve Waldman, art/technical director and product consultant. Hair cut. “Rather than being a master of all/no products every time you shampoo or prioritize one hair’s needs over others, cycling allows you to take a comprehensive step-by-step approach to keeping your hair healthy, feeling, looking and in top condition in every way.”

He goes on to explain that the first step in the cycle is usually a detox and cleansing. Shampoo or scrub to get rid of the product that accumulates in the hair and becomes dull over time. This gives you a fresh start. To maximize the structural integrity of the hair, Waldman then recommends a shampoo and conditioner that repairs any damage and adds strength. Choose the one formulated for you daily styling needs (think volumizing, smoothing, etc.). Finally, in the third part of your cycle, she says moisture is essential for shine, softness and manageability, so you’ll want to opt for it. A moisturizing leave-in product.

Is the hair cycle really expert-approved? Spoiler: Yes!

Although TikTok has turned the attention to the hair bike, it is actually an application that has been around for a while. “It’s a great way to meet your hair’s multiple needs without ‘overcorrecting’ a single issue with a single product and without ignoring other conditions that may require attention,” says Waldman. “It’s also perfect for people who like to shampoo their hair often.”