11 steps to perfect hair? Abbey Yung explains the method behind the hype

Haircare can be confusing, with countless products and advice leaving people frustrated and unsure why their routines aren’t working.

Enter the Abbey Yung Method, the viral haircare system sweeping TikTok that promises healthier, shinier hair through a tailored, step-by-step approach.

People spoke with Abbey Yung, the trichologist and content creator behind the method, to get the full story.

With over 2.9 million followers on TikTok, Yung has become a trusted voice in haircare, helping fans transform their routines with scientifically informed guidance.

What Is the Abbey Yung Method?

The full method is an 11-step process that spans pre-wash treatments, in-shower care, post-wash protection, styling, and between-wash maintenance. Yung describes it as “a flexible framework that helps you build a haircare routine based on your scalp type, hair type, and specific needs.”

She emphasizes that not all steps are meant to be done daily. Some treatments are intended for a few times a week for optimal results. Highlights include:

Pre-shampoo bond repair and oil treatments

• Shampoo guidance (clarifying, non-clarifying, or medicated)
• Conditioning treatments like glosses or masks
• Leave-in conditioners and heat protection
• Styling products such as volume sprays and serums
• Between-wash care, including overnight treatments or dry shampoos

How It Went Viral

Interestingly, Yung didn’t name the method herself. “I had never called it that before,” she told PEOPLE.

The name originated from a TikTok video by someone testing her steps, and it quickly went viral.

“As people tried to recreate it incorrectly, I realized I needed to clarify my exact step-by-step process,” she says. Today, Yung shares detailed TikTok videos and product guides to help followers customize the method for their hair.

How to Start the Abbey Yung Method

Yung advises starting slowly, using what you already have before adding new products.

“If you try to switch up your entire routine at once, it’s hard to know what’s working,” she explains. She recommends beginning with one or two changes, observing how hair reacts, and then building up to the full routine.

Understanding Your Hair’s Needs

A key part of the method is learning what your hair and scalp actually need. Yung suggests monitoring:

• Scalp condition: itchiness or flakiness
• Grease levels between washes
• Hair texture: dryness, tangling, or heaviness

By tracking these changes, users can swap products strategically to address specific concerns.

Common Misconceptions

Many think they must do all 11 steps daily. Yung clarifies, “I’m not doing a 12-step routine myself.

The method is a framework you can add or remove steps and products as it works for you.” The approach is designed to empower users to make choices that suit their hair, without feeling pressured.

Her main advice: “Make changes slowly and start with a proper shampoo. That baseline makes the biggest difference.”

The Community Response

Fans have embraced the method, sharing their own videos and product tips. “Seeing how it’s helped people gain confidence and healthier hair gives me butterflies,” Yung says. “It’s the best feeling.”

Core Principles

No matter how complex or simple someone’s routine, the essentials remain: cleanse the scalp, condition properly, and protect the hair length.

Yung even suggests a minimalist approach: shampoo, conditioner, or mask, and leave-in spray with heat protection can cover most needs, making the method adaptable for all lifestyles.