Once in a while, folks at TikTok come up with new things. Some of them are awesome, some not so awesome, and some are downright dangerous.

The latest innovation from TikTok is called the bowl method. It sounds grand, but it's indeed very simple. Instead of washing off your hair conditioner and curling cream all at once, you wash it in steps on a bowl of water.

The bowl method for curls does work for some people. But things on social media do not always translate well in real life. Some experts advise against the bowl method, while others see no harm in it.

Since the bowl method is so new, there is no conclusive judgment on it. According to anecdotal evidence, it gives amazing curls to people who have always struggled with them. However, there hasn't been any large-scale study or research to prove anything yet.

Table of Contents:

• What Is the Bowl Method?
• Where Did the Bowl Method Come From?
• Does the Bowl Method Work?
• Arguments in Favor of the Bowl Method
• Who Should Try the Bowl Method?
• Who Should Not Try the Bowl Method?

What Is the Bowl Method?

The bowl method refers to a hair treatment process in which you slather a leave-in conditioner or curling cream and proceed to dip your hair in a bowl of water to remove it.

Here's a step-by-step guide to the bowl method for curly hair:

• Wash your hair with shampoo
• Apply a leave-in conditioner or curling cream all over your hair very generously. Apply more than you usually do
• Take a bowl and fill it with room-temperature water
• Separate your hair into parts, and dip each part into the water to wash off the conditioner or cream
• Repeat until you have covered the entire head
• It generally takes four washes to cover every inch of your hair
• Finish with a hair cream or spray to hold the curls in place

The bowl method is not difficult to do, but it takes a lot of time. You can expect to spend anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes doing the whole thing, excluding the time needed to wash your hair.

Where Did the Bowl Method Come From?

The bowl method comes from TikTok. To be more specific, TikTok content creator Zia is known to have come up with this method of locking curls. The original video in which she showed this method has over 5 million views at this point.

As soon as Zia's video went viral, other TikTokers jumped on the bandwagon. #bowlmethod, #thebowlmethod, #bowlmethodcurls, etc. were trending all over TikTok in no time. At this point, millions of people have seen some TikTok videos showing the bowl method and its incredible results.

Does the Bowl Method Work?

According to TikTok creators, the bowl method is the holy grail for curls. But then again, we should not rely on TikTok as our primary source of information.

According to Ginger King, the founder of Grace Kingdom Beauty, the bowl method is not without any risks. If you continue doing it for a long time, she fears that the process can lead to a lot of build-ups. That's because you are repeatedly dipping your hair in water that's already saturated with conditioners and creams.

Drawing on the argument of Ginger King, it's understandable that you should not forego washing your hair with running water completely. It makes very little sense to continue doing the bowl method without ever letting your hair and scalp breathe product-free.

Arguments in Favor of the Bowl Method

The arguments in favor of the bowl method typically refer to its saturating properties. Curls can be very hard to achieve if you have dry hair. The general procedure of shampoo plus conditioner plus cream does not always work for people with very dry hair. The bowl method is a savior in that context.

According to celebrity stylist Michelle Sultan, the bowl method works because it can successfully lock moisture in the hair. By dipping your hair in conditioner-saturated water, you are successfully locking in everything that the hair needs to maintain the curls. Washing all the products away does not provide the same benefits.

Who Should Try the Bowl Method?

Anyone can try the bowl method at least once to see if it works for them. You should give it a shot if you have very dry hair and other curling solutions have not worked very well for you.

There's no apparent harm in trying the bowl method, at least for a few times. Even if we take into consideration the build-up issue, it should not be a problem for sparse users of this method. While it may not miraculously change your hair, it does have the potential to give you impressive curls.

Who Should Not Try the Bowl Method?

There's no definite answer to this question. You would not know if the bowl method doesn't work for you unless you give it a shot. Having said that, those with oily hair and scalp should be more careful before trying it.

In case you notice any adverse reaction, stop the process immediately. Also, do not do this every day. Even good things can become harmful when done in excess.

Lastly, consult your dermatologist before trying anything new. Nothing works better than personalized advice from a qualified professional who has known you for some time.

While you should not believe everything on the internet, the bowl method seems to be a real deal. Several people have already benefited from it, but there's no consensus among experts yet. If you want to try it, make sure you do your research and talk to an expert.