Want to Try The Viral Abbey Yung Method? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start
If you’ve spent any time on haircare TikTok, you’ve probably heard advice ranging from things like “never wash your hair” to “throw out anything with sulfates” to “don’t use conditioner.” Somewhere along the way, taking care of your hair has become a lot more complicated than just the tried-and-true lather, rinse, repeat. Maybe that’s why the Abbey Yung method has taken off.
As the name suggests, this viral routine was created by Abbey Yung, a certified trichologist (AKA hair scientist), and cuts through the noise of all the hair dos and don’ts swirling around online. Instead of telling you what not to do, it’s a balanced, science-backed approach that prioritizes actually giving your hair what it needs to grow, repair, and thrive. And unlike a lot of beauty trends, this one is surprisingly doable.
So, if you’re on a haircare journey of your own (or just trying to figure out what actually works), here’s everything to know about the Abbey Yung method and how to try it at home.
What is the Abbey Yung Method?
If your goal is to have hair that doesn’t just look good but is actually healthy, the Abbey Yung hair method might be for you. At its core, the routine is built on the idea that healthy hair starts at the scalp and is maintained through consistent care, not just the occasional deep condition during an everything shower.
That means properly cleansing your hair, incorporating bond-repair treatments to strengthen damaged strands, and protecting your hair from heat and environmental stressors. Instead of searching for one miracle product, the Abbey Yung hair method focuses on building a routine that works for your specific hair type, texture, and goals.
What makes it stand out, especially on TikTok, is that it pushes back on the idea that healthy hair comes from using only high-end products or cutting out certain ingredients. Think of it less as a rigid set of rules and more as a framework for how to get healthier, stronger hair.
How to Try It At Home
At first glance, the Abbey Yung hair method can feel a little overwhelming. The full routine includes 11 steps that take you from pre-wash to post-style. But the goal isn’t to do every step every time, it’s to build a routine and range of products that support your hair’s needs consistently. Here’s how the full method breaks down:
Step 1: Pre-Shampoo Bond Repair Treatment
Yung recommends applying a bonding repair treatment 10 minutes before washing your hair 1-2 times a week to help strengthen damaged strands before you even step into the shower.
Step 2: Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment
This step is optional but especially helpful for anyone with dry, tangly hair. Apply at least 20 minutes before washing to add softness and reduce breakage.
Step 3: Clarifying Shampoo
This is a key step for removing buildup from your scalp—something that often gets overlooked but can make a huge difference in how your hair looks and grows. Yung recommends using a clarifying shampoo at least once a week.
Step 4: Non-Clarifying Shampoo
On the days you don’t use a clarifying shampoo, use a strengthening or bond repair shampoo to gently cleanse without stripping your hair.
Step 4: Medicated Shampoo
If you’re dealing with an itchy or flaky scalp, a medicated shampoo can be used in place of or alongside your regular shampoo.
Step 5: Bond Repair Treatments
After shampooing, use a bond repair treatment at least once a week to help strengthen damaged hair over time.
Step 6: Conditioning – Glosses, Conditioner, and Hair Masks
Yung recommends using at least one conditioning product every time you wash your hair. If your hair is in need of some extra TLC, you can layer multiple products in the same wash.
Step 7: Post-Wash Bond Repair Treatment
Apply this after the shower about 10 minutes before using other products. If you already used a pre-shampoo bond repair, you can skip this step.
Step 8: Leave-In Conditioner and Heat Protection
Apply a generous amount to damp hair to protect against damage, especially if you use heat tools. This step is basically a non-negotiable for maintaining healthy hair long-term.
Step 9: Styling
This step is fully customizable depending on your routine, whether that’s a volumizing mousse, a texturizing spray, or a hairspray to lock everything in.
Step 10: Style Sealers — Serums, Lotions/Creams, and Oils
These products are also optional but great for adding moisture and smoothing your hair after styling.
Step 11: Between-Wash Care — Conditioning, Heat Protection, and Dry Shampoo
Maintaining your hair between washes is just as important as the products you use in the shower. Yung recommends overnight conditioning treatments as needed, heat protection whenever you style, and dry shampoo to stay fresh in between washes (as long as you don’t use it to skip wash days).
If 11 steps sounds like a lot, well… that’s because it is. But the good news is, you don’t need all of them. The Abbey Yung method is meant to be flexible, and you can absolutely simplify it down to just a few essentials: a good shampoo, a conditioner or mask, and a leave-in with heat protection. That balance is a big part of why this method has gone viral on TikTok. It gives you a clear routine to follow, without making it feel impossible to keep up with.
The Best Products To Try the Abbey Yung Method
Bond Repair Treatments
Hair Oils
Clarifying Shampoos
Non-Clarifying Shampoos
Medicated Shampoos
Hair Glosses
Conditioners
Hair Masks
Leave-In Conditioners & Heat Protectors
Styling Products
Dry Shampoos
Christine Winder
Christine is a long-time reader turned contributing writer for the Everygirl. She has a BA in Communications from Roanoke College and lives with her two cats in Richmond, VA where she writes for several local publications.
Products included in graphics linked within article. Feature graphic image credited to: Abbey Yung | TikTok.
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