You might have heard of skin cycling, which is the idea of rotating strong, active skin care products with gentler products to give your skin periods of “rest.” Hair cycling has now entered the chat…and the concept is similar, but focuses on hair and scalp health. We spoke to experts to find out if hair cycling is just a trend—or if it’s something all hair types can benefit from. 

What is Hair Cycling?

Hair cycling is a method where you use different hair products at different times. This regimen is very customized to your hair and scalp needs, as well as your preference for styling. The idea is that you’re not using the exact same regimen every time you wash and style, but instead catering to your needs in a more nuanced, intentional way. 

“For example, it could mean that once a week you use a heavier conditioner or hair mask when your hair is feeling dry, or you use a more clarifying or exfoliating shampoo or mask when you haven’t shampooed in a few days or when you feel that you have product buildup,” explains board certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, FAAD. 

You might even customize it according to your period cycle (or whether you’re in perimenopause or menopause), or even according to the season, says Dr. King. Hair cycling also allows you to weave in medicated products, like anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner, as needed. 

“Hair cycling gives you the opportunity to really see results of healthy hair. Too much of anything is never good, so it’s beneficial to interchange the products for the best effect,” says TerraRose Puncerelli, celebrity stylist and Hairapy Haircare ambassador. “The reason hair cycling is so important is because it can be overkill if you try and use all your favorite products at once.” 

Benefits of Hair Cycling 

The thing about any sort of regimen is that it’s apt to change according to our needs, preferences, and even the season. Sticking with the same old routine for the sake of routine isn’t necessarily helpful, which is why the flexibility of hair cycling is so beneficial. Here are some specific benefits to consider: 

• Caters to changing needs: “Hair cycling could be particularly beneficial for people who notice a significant difference in their hair depending on the season, stress levels, environment, and hormones,” Dr. King says. 
• You can try new things: A big advantage of hair cycling is that it allows your hair and scalp to benefit from different kinds of ingredients and formulations, Dr. King notes.  
• It simplifies your routine: Even though you may technically be using more products over the long term, your regimen for any particular day is minimized with hair cycling. “It allows your hair and scalp to really soak in the benefits of the products on their own without alternate ingredients being present,” says Puncerelli. 

How to Hair Cycle 

How you approach hair cycling ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. Puncerelli recommends thinking about what your specific goals are and starting there. This is unlike skin cycling, where there’s a set plan you follow every single week/month. 

“For example, if the goal is hair rejuvenation, I recommend using a light scalp serum at morning and at night,” Puncerelli says. “Or if a client is looking for hydration, I recommend a hair mask once a week.” 

Some hair cycling routines may include scalp scrubs and stimulants, anti-dandruff products, or even periods of “no heat styling” where hair gets to rest. In that way, it’s really about highly customizing your hair routine so your scalp and strands are as healthy as they can be.