Experiencing hair loss or thinning hair can be overwhelming and understandably stressful, so many people resort to popular or viral hair care methods to see if they can thicken their locks. From rosemary oil to only applying conditioner at the roots, there are many trendy methods said to help grow more hair on TikTok, and another one lately is amassing millions of views and videos on the app.
Dubbed ‘hair slugging,’ this trend sees people lathering up on oil or conditioner before tightly covering their tresses with a sock or wrap and then heading to bed. As it aims to moisturize and hydrate hair (and many online claim that it works for dry, brittle strands), we asked experts if this method is effective on thinning hair. Read on for insight from professional hair stylist Lauren Udoh, celebrity stylist Deaundra Metzger and hair and beauty expert Jean Will.
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So, Can Hair Slugging Work On Thinning Hair?
Hair slugging is a “great hydration treatment used weekly that involves coating your hair in oil before bed, then wrapping it up in a tube sock and scrunchie holder and letting it sit overnight,” Metzger explains. “Not all hair types will benefit from this method,” she stresses, noting that it’s “great for curly hair that by nature is drier, and thus, slugging provides more hydration.”
When it comes to thinning, weaker strands, this hair “tends to get weighed down by products,” she says, so if the slugging technique interests you, she recommends “slugging with a very light-weight oil that does not leave a heavy coating and only using this hydration method bi-weekly as opposed to weekly.”
While Udoh acknowledges the enduring popularity of this trend, she suggests seeking other methods to combat thinning hair (whether you do slug or not) such as “using high-quality hair products that are designed specifically to treat thinning hair” or seeking professional treatment from a trichologist. “In short, I don’t think slugging is an effective solution for anyone struggling with thinning hair,” she says, adding that “the only thing this will do is make your hair greasy and weighed down” and “there are plenty of other options” out there specifically made to combat the problem, whereas hair slugging isn’t a fullproof method.
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In general, Will notes that “hair slugging does work” for dry or damaged hair, although thinning hair will require other methods to thicken strands even if you do pursue this one. “[Hair slugging] has been used in different countries for several years already,” she says, noting that the practice, which stems from Korean skincare, can “help hydrate your hair and make it look healthy, less frizzy, resistant to breakage, and look shinier.” Hair slugging works for different types of hair, she says, whether it is “thick or thin,” but you “just have to manage the ingredients if you have naturally thinner hair,” but thinning hair is a different thing altogether and caused by something a doctor can pinpoint.
With that said, all experts would agree that visiting your local dermatologist, trichologist or doctor is vital to create a plan and find products that can specifically treat your thinning hair. While hair slugging results may vary from person to person (regardless if their hair is fine or thick), it’s important not to fully rely on the TikTok trend for hair growth and to stick to a well-balanced diet, drink ample amounts of water, have a consistent sleep schedule, and seek supplementation like Biotin or vitamin B for healthier locks.
