What is hair cycling and what are the benefits?

Hair cycling is the latest buzzword doing the rounds online, we asked the experts to explain what it's all about and if we should be advising clients to change up their hair routine.

What Does Hair Cycling Mean?

"Simply put, hair cycling involves rotating different haircare products throughout the week with the goal of improving hair and scalp health," explains Marina Hodgins, Artistic Director at Fringe Benefits, Gloucester. Matrix Artist Ambassador, Michelle Summer Davies, adds: "Hair cycling is rotating hair products to suit your hair needs as they change. This could be due to hormonal changes, chemical services or the environment," explaining that understanding the composition of hair is important to understanding our hair health. "Hair cycling isn't just about your weekly hair routine, it's about the the long-term routine and what you do to your hair and scalp fortnightly/monthly to keep it looking its best," says Joana Neves, Editorial Director at Alterna, telling us that some clients may use a scalp scrub every two weeks on their hair and a very intense treatment every two weeks instead of every week for example. Ainsley Gray, F&M Hairdressing, says that the new 'trend' for hair cycling has become a huge talking point within the industry, "It’s all about your clients finding something that works for them and their hair and scalp, and making sure the routine gives them what they need." Marcello Moccia, Room 97 Creative, Wakefield and Leeds, adds: "I know it’s a new trend on TikTok, but I don’t think it is anything new to hairdressers who advise on product use and home haircare regime during our consultations with clients. This is something we have been doing for a long time and is one of the benefits of visiting a hair professional rather than a high street store. It could be that if they have been using a particular shampoo, we recommend something new for their hair when they come to see us for their next appointment."

What Are The Benefits of Hair Cycling?

The main benefit of hair cycling is that you are giving your hair what it needs says Joana, adding: "It's so important to change your routine to suit your hair and to never stick with the same shampoo and conditioner unless that is what your hair needs. Also, adding hair products like a scrub is so important in a client's hair routine. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp and it's essential that clients look after their scalp just as much as their hair with the correct products." Blonde & Balayage Colour Specialist, Christina Ruddall agrees, explaining: "Some products may cause build-up or irritation of the scalp over time, even if they may be nourishing the hair, while others can help to clear the build-up and treat the scalp. Switching between products allows you to find a balance." There are lots of benefits to hair cycling, from improving scalp health and addressing the needs of your hair at the time, however Michelle warns that not knowing what a client's hair needs can lead to use of the wrong products: "We like to think of it as prescribing medicine. Just doing a simple elasticity or porosity test will help to know what protein or moisture levels the hair needs. By doing hair cycling this will help your client to understand their own hair which is imperative to make sure they have healthy, looking hair at all times."

Would You Recommend Hair Cycling to Your Clients?

"Definitely! It's a great way to improve scalp and hair health and ensure the clients hair needs are met," says Joana, although she warns that it can be tempting for clients to add too many products into their haircare routine. "This is where they need to be careful - they don't want to end up having product build up and weighing their hair down due to using an excessive number of products." Recommending a routine with just the key products as well as 'rest days' to give the hair a break will be useful to clients' hair cycling routine. "Having a day off from shampooing now and again gives your scalp a day or two off to try and recover its natural balance," says Mark Blake (MIT WTS IAT) trichologist for NIOXIN. Talking to your clients about the benefits of hair cycling during their appointment is key to you understanding what products they are using at home. "This provides an opportunity to recommend that they rotate shampoo, conditioner and styling products to suit the hair when it changes. We offer care packages for home care as well as in-salon treatments to every client," says Michelle. Georgia Bell, INNOluxe Superstar adds that explaining hair cycling routines to client is professional and chance to upsell to your clients: "It allows your clients to enjoy more of the beautiful products you offer while of course benefiting their hair at the same time." Find out more about your client's hair health and how water quality plays a part.