If you suffer from dry, brittle hair prone to breakage, you may have heard of a trend known as hair slugging. Right now, it’s popular on TikTok, but the truth of the matter is that the practice of hair slugging has been around for hundreds of years—and with good reason, given its hydrating and nourishing benefits.

But what is hair slugging, how does it work, what are the top hair slugging benefits, and how often should you slug your hair? Keep reading to learn all about this trending practice and determine if it’s right for you!

What Is Hair Slugging?

One of the top viral social media trends of early 2023, hair slugging was based on a popular skincare technique known as skin slugging. Essentially, slugging is a moisturizing method that takes place at the end of your nighttime skincare routine in which you coat your face with a thick product such as oil, shea or cocoa butter, or even beeswax. The goal is to lock in moisture overnight in an effort to reveal glowing, dewy skin in the morning, while the application leaves a slimy sheen to your face that resembles the shine you see on a slug.

Now, the concept of slugging hair is based on the idea that you can lock in moisture to dry, brittle hair by applying the same technique. The difference here is that you’ll need to wrap your hair in a thick sock during slugging to help prevent damage overnight. The viral method on TikTok features a thick tube sock covering the bottom of your hair and held in place with a scrunchie.

Benefits of Hair Slugging

By now you likely know that I’m a big fan of promoting strong, healthy hair from an inside-out approach, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also apply all-natural topical products to further support your hair, especially damaged or broken ends. And while it may seem like a brand-new trend, the truth is that hair slugging benefits are well-established, especially given the practice’s Ayurvedic origins.

You see, hair slugging is traditionally known as hair oiling, and it’s a practice that dates back thousands of years. The idea behind hair oiling was that by massaging all-natural oils into the scalp and throughout the hair, the user could reap the benefits of the oil’s nutrients to help moisturize and strengthen her hair. Interestingly, many practitioners shared that hair oiling also served as a bonding experience with another person, such as a mother or caregiver, who would perform the oiling on a loved one.

Today, those who practice hair slugging share that the top benefits include achieving stronger hair that’s less prone to breakage, promoting increased hydration and sheen, and even encouraging new hair growth.

How to Slug Your Hair

If you’re interested in taking advantage of the top hair slugging benefits but aren’t sure where to start based on your unique hair, it’s important to note that your hair type dictates the best way to perform hair slugging. Keep reading for the best practices for different kinds of hair texture and even length.

Hair Slugging For Fine Hair

If you have fine hair, make sure to follow the advice below for best practices and optimal results.

How Often Should I Be Slugging My Hair?

Those with fine hair should slug sparingly, such as once or twice a month, to prevent limp-looking hair.

What Oil(s) Should I Use?

In terms of what to use for hair slugging, choose lighter oils such as jojoba or grapeseed oil to avoid weighing down or oversaturating your hair. Use just a few drops (up to 10) to moisturize the lower half of your hair, concentrating on the ends to avoid an oily look.

What Other Steps Should I Take?

Make sure to start with damp, clean hair. Keep your scrunchie fairly loose to avoid creases in your hair when you wake up, or you can put your hair in a loose bun instead if you prefer. Finally, make sure to wash your hair after slugging with a gentle shampoo and rinse with cold water to close the hair cuticles and seal in the moisture.

Hair Slugging For Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, incorporate the tips below for the best hair slugging results. 

How Often Should I Be Slugging My Hair?

Those with curly hair should slug no more than once per week so that you don’t over-hydrate your hair.

What Oil(s) Should I Use?

When you’re looking to choose the best oil for hair slugging on curly hair, consider your hair’s texture. If you have fine hair, use the lighter oils mentioned above (jojoba or grapeseed oil). If you have naturally thicker hair, use a thicker oil such as argan oil or even coconut oil.

What Other Steps Should I Take?

Begin with damp, clean hair, and plan to wash your hair after slugging. Make sure all the oil is completely out of your hair before applying your conditioner.

Hair Slugging For Short Hair

Here are some of the best tips for slugging short hair.

How Often Should I Be Slugging My Hair?

Experts recommend limiting hair slugging to once a week at most, regardless of your hair length or texture.

What Oil(s) Should I Use?

When it comes to choosing the best oil for your hair, keep in mind that you’ll be focusing on your hair texture and not length. That means you need to use lighter oils for fine hair and heavier oils for thicker hair. 

What Other Steps Should I Take?

Follow the same directions as with the other hair types, but if your hair is too short to pull into a ponytail, consider wrapping your hair in a silk scarf. You can also rub the oil directly into your scalp to stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth if you’re trying to grow out your hair.

Maintaining Healthy Hair After Slugging

To support your hair slugging efforts, try to avoid activities that dry out your hair, such as frequent swimming in a chlorinated pool or saltwater, heat styling, or chemical-heavy hair treatments. Also consider applying heat protectants to your hair before blow drying or allowing your hair to air dry when possible.

In Summary:

• While currently trending on social media, the practice of hair slugging has been around for hundreds of years.
• Some of the top reasons for slugging hair include supporting hair strength, promoting hydration, and encouraging new hair growth.
• When slugging your hair, choose an appropriate oil for your hair’s texture. Lighter oils work best for fine hair while heavier oils work better for thicker hair.
• Protect your hair by covering it with a tube sock or scarf and then wash thoroughly after hair slugging.