Does TikTok’s ‘hair slugging’ treatment work?
Hair slugging is the latest trend to emerge on social media and there are thousands of online videos about it. But is it actually good for hair health? To understand more, I spoke to celebrity stylist Jason Collier about it. Jason is a colour and hair expert in the UK who has worked with people like Justin Timberlake, Victoria Beckham, Sadie Frost and Laura Whitmore. The Welsh hairstylist is a brand ambassador and works all over the world on session shoots and with his clients.
In light of a recent social media trend for hair slugging, I spoke to Jason about the trend that has stemmed from something similar for the face that involves oil.
So, what is hair slugging? Jason says: ‘When people talk about hair slugging on TikTok, they are referring to adding an additional treatment to the hair, pre-shampoo. This could be oil, leave-in conditioner, or bonding treatment.
‘This can then be left overnight, or washed out after a couple of hours before you begin your usual hair routine. In theory, you do it with the aim of adding another layer of moisture to the hair, hence the term “slugging”.’
Is it for everyone though? Jason says: ‘I would only recommend
I would only recommend it for those with incredibly frizzy, dry hair
that those with incredibly dry, frizzy hair that is crying out for moisture even attempt this trend. For other hair textures, it will simply weigh it down and cause unnecessary build-up. Most hair types don’t need this level of moisture.’
If not everyone needs it, could it be a waste of time? Jason says, ‘To me, this is one trend I won’t be recommending. In my opinion, it’s an overuse of products. There is nothing to establish if the oil, or treatment, is locking in the coating that is to come from your regular routine; they are simply mixing and causing unnecessary build-up. In reality, your hair only soaks in the moisture it needs, so adding more is ineffective.’
So what should we be doing with regular hair that needs a little TLC?
‘To retain optimal moisture levels and keep your hair in silky smooth condition without gimmicks, I recommend washing it no more than three times per week, and using a ‘plex’ treatment once per week. These treatments use bond technology to strengthen the hair, smooth, add vitality, protect colour, and reinforce overall hair health.’