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So you might have heard of skin slugging, it’s a skincare trend that blew up on TikTok. It’s when you lather (or slug) your skin with deeply moisturising products like masks or petroleum jelly and let them sink in overnight so you wake up with smooth, fresh and bouncy skin.
Hair slugging unsurprisingly is the same idea just for your hair!
What Is Hair Slugging?
The only swap out here is that you use deeply moisturising hair care products like growth oils or rich masks. Then again, you lather (or yes slug) your hair with the goal of bouncy happy and moisturised hair. You can leave your hair in a cap or towel to protect it while you have your product in. Some people even use a sock!
@pumphaircare Is your hair ultra thirsty? Try slugging with the Pump Anti Frizz Gloss Mask instead of a hair oil for silky, shiny morning hair ✨#ecofriendly #pumphaircare #hairslugging #trending #salonhairathome #grwm #hairtips #shinyhair #hairmask #organic #nonasties ♬ original sound - Pump Haircare
Does Hair Slugging Really Work?
In short, yes. Hair slugging is an effective way of making sure your hair gets all the moisture and protection it needs. But the effectiveness of your hair slugging routine comes down to how effective your products are, the amount you use and how long you leave them in for.
An important note here is that it’s a myth that slugging can only be done overnight, the whole idea of slugging is to leave your product in for the maximum recommended time to receive all the benefits for your hair and whether that’s 30 minutes or 8 hours is less important than how your hair feels.
Are There Any Risks With Hair Slugging?
There is no one hair slugging routine that suits all. Choose a product that suits your hair type and make sure to check the product description for how long you should leave it on.
It’s the general assumption that most hair care products can be left in overnight and that isn’t always the case. Just like any other hair care products if you leave them in too long or apply too much you can weigh down your hair and leave it greasy and prone to breakage. Especially important to note if you have fine or oily hair types.
We’ve put together a “How To Hair Slug Guide” to help you select your products and get that bouncy moistured hair you deserve.
How To Slug Hair: Step-By-Step Guide
The most important thing to note with any new routine is to always start with a small amount and increase if needed and if you’re trying a new product do a patch test on your skin to make sure it’s safe for you.
1. Start with clean hair
This is a really important step that can be easily missed. When your hair is clean then your products can sink effectively into your hair strands. As opposed to your slugging product fighting its way through any buildup of oils or other products on your hair.
2. Apply your moisture product of choice
Now this is where you think about your ideal hair and what you want more of whether that’s shine or structure. We have a whole range of hair masks and oils that would be ideal for your slugging routine, that pack a punch of moisture and other benefits.
If you want to get your curl structure back into gear then the Pump Miracle Curl Oil is a no-brainer. Or if you don’t want the fuss of a long leave-in product then use a couple of small drops of argan oil for added shine and manageability.
If you have blonde hair we recommend using a blonde hair mask for the added benefit of toning your hair, even better you only need to leave it in for 10 minutes!
Looking for fuller hair? You can target volume at the roots of your hair by slugging with a hair thickening mask. Or if your goal is longer hair, try using hair growth mask, oil or serum that effectively encourage and stimulate hair growth.
That’s the fun in slugging it’s all up to you and what you want!
3. Wash or towel dry
Depending on your product of choice your wash-out or leave-in instructions could be different. Most masks you wash out with either water or shampoo. Whereas some oil treatments or leave-in conditioners can be left in your hair before you style as usual and go about your day.
Light-weight oil method for fine or thin Hair
If you have fine or thin hair, it's essential to use lightweight oils that provide hydration without the heaviness. The Pump Liquid Gold Growth Oil Treatment is a fantastic choice. It's formulated to nourish without leaving a heavy greasy residue and you can leave it on for 20 minutes or more!
Heavy-weight oil method for thick, curly or dry hair
For those with thick, curly, or dry hair, a heavier oil application might be beneficial. Our pro tip here is to look for products rich in natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and avocado oil like the Pump Curl and Grow Mask.
