Similar to skin slugging, hair slugging involves using oil to lock in moisture overnight. Except instead of letting the oil just sit on hair strands, hair slugging requires wrapping hair in a tube sock or bonnet to really lock it all in. Think of it as the final step in a nighttime hair care routine.
Does hair slugging work? Experts say yes. In fact, the concept of hair slugging has been around in many cultures for years, specifically black and Asian cultures. The main point of slugging is to hydrate, which makes it ideal for dry or damaged hair.
Should you wash your hair after slugging? While you don't need to wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner every morning after incorporating this technique into your routine, it is recommended to rinse your mane to avoid product buildup from the hair slugging process.
In simplest terms, hair slugging involves adding a rich, hydrating treatment – an oil or a mask – to hair in the evening in an effort to lock in moisture. This is followed by wrapping the hair in something protective during sleep, with some TikTok users employing a fluffy sock or silk turban for this part of the task.
So, what is hair oiling? It is a traditional Ayurvedic ritual where you take a blend of plant-based oils like castor, coconut, or grapeseed oil and apply it from root to tip, making sure to massage it in. You then leave it overnight and rinse it out the next morning—just like hair slugging.
“It's recommended to slug your hair one to three times a week depending on density and texture,” Hurtado says. “If you're slugging your hair every night, you can strip out the natural oils in your hair and it'll make it dryer.”
What type of products should you avoid when slugging? Dr. Parcells advises against using active ingredients, such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or retinoids when slugging at night.
"[Hair] slugging can be done a few nights a week or as needed," says O'Connor. Start by applying three to four pumps of oil and add more as needed until the ends of your hair are saturated, says Schaefering.
As the delightfully descriptive name would suggest, hair slugging involves shellacking hair in an extra coat of product (typically a leave-in hair oil) then carefully tucking all of it up into a fluffy sock before bed as protection.
Once your hair is dry, Harper recommends massaging a hair oil that "won't weigh your hair down or make it greasy" into your strands (argan oil, for example, is a great option; coconut oil, not so much). "The physical friction of massaging the oil into the hair really helps push the product into the hair," adds Perkins.
If you suffer from constantly dry, itchy skin, slugging could help. Even people with normal skin could benefit, especially during winter months when skin can dry out. However, experts say it's not for everyone. Those with acne-prone or oily skin should avoid it, as should people who have problems with clogged pores.
Apply A Layer Of Petroleum Jelly
Once you are done with your skin care routine, you can go to sleep and wake up to glowing, glass-like skin after slugging from the previous night!
When to Slug. You can do it nightly to heal dehydrated, dry, cracked or inflamed skin. To maintain results, I recommend slugging 2-3 times per week.
You can also slug using plant-based oils and butters. Possible ingredients to look for include Jojoba oil, squalane, coconut oil and shea butter.
While the term "hair slugging" may seem new, it actually just refers to hair oiling—an ancient Ayurvedic technique used to encourage healthy, long, and strong strands. To "slug" your hair, apply a hair oil to your scalp, massage it in, and brush it through to the tips.
Apparently, the sock helps prevent friction and damage that happens during the night and also helps lock in moisture. After seeing tons of TikTok users comment about how the hack made their hair shinier than ever, I decided to give it a try. For the last two years, I've put extra time into taking great care of my hair.
Hair slugging turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag, but ultimately you shouldn't do it if you're hoping for more hair growing from your head. Vaseline applied directly to the scalp won't do that—and could cause a bevy of other frustrating issues, too.
Here how to do slugging:
After completing the beauty regime, apply a thin layer of any petroleum-based balm all over the face. Let it sit on the skin for 30 minutes before dozing off. Leave it overnight. Wash it off with the regular cleanser in the morning.
The hair oils that you choose for slugging should depend on your hair type. Thicker, coarser manes may benefit from heavier hair oils such as castor, coconut, and olive oil, whereas thin to medium tresses do better with lightweight hair oils.
Petrolatum-based, healing ointments are recommended occlusives for slugging. Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, says that these products, like Aquaphor, "include glycerin, lanolin, bisabolol, and mineral oil for additional hydrating, soothing, and barrier-supporting properties."
Best Oils for Hair Slugging
Argan oil – Argan oil, also known as Moroccan oil, is high in fatty acids and vitamins that help provide nutrient-dense hydration to dry hair. Jojoba oil – Jojoba oil provides ample hydration and protection to thin hair prone to breakage.
Here's the thing—those vegetable and fruit oils Koestline mentioned work quite well for slugging purposes. Take Peach & Lily's Rescue Balm, for example—which calls on sunflower seed oil, castor oil, and plant-based waxes to achieve a thicker consistency.
"If your skin is dry to normal (not oily/combination), you can slug as frequently as every night," says Dr. Mehr. Slugging is also a great option for those dealing with age-related skin issues, says Dr. Gohara (who says that's why she does it, personally).