There are many insightful tips you can pick up from social media but one expert has urged people not to follow one viral trend circulating online at the moment
Social media is full of haircare and skincare tips and tricks, but one expert urges people not to follow one haircare trend as it could lead to scalp damage.
The ‘hair training’ trend has had over 245 million views, and advises people to prolong their hair washes, but it could lead to greasy, smelly hair or an itchy scalp. One TikToker boasted how she hadn’t washed her hair in 33 days, which racked up over 5.7 million views and the idea is that leaving your hair, not washing it will rebalance oil production, meaning your hair will stay cleaner for longer.
However experts disagree and say this is nothing molre than a viral myth. Dr Vanita Rattan, a global skin doctor and cosmetic forumlator said the scalp can’t be “trained” to produce less oil, and if people think it’s working, it’s only because they have adapted to the build up.
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The expert compared it to a dirty carpert, as after a while you “stop noticing the stains”. Not only does going weeks without washing make your hair look lifeless, it can actually cause scalp problems too.
“Skipping washes can lead to irritation, dandruff and flare-ups of conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Bacteria breaking down sweat and oil will also cause an unpleasant odour,” the expert warned, according to The Sun.
For those speaking about hair training online, they have been sharing their tips to extend their hair washes, including using dry shampoo and texture sprays to mask the grease. However Dr Rattan said this also won’t work.
“Many dry shampoos and styling sprays are full of sulphates, fragrance and denatured alcohol, which can inflame the scalp and trigger contact dermatitis. This can weaken hair follicles and lead to shedding over time.”
Instead, she said the secret to a healthy scalp is regular cleansing and using the right method in the shower. “I recommend the ‘sandwich method’, which is to use conditioner, shampoo and then conditioner, to protect the hair’s moisture barrier. It’s the best way to prevent stripping your scalp and keep your hair shiny and soft.”
In terms of what to use, she recommended a ‘nafe safe’ (no denatured alcohol, fragrance or essential oils) to avoid scalp issues happening. A good natural no alcohol shampoo is the Green People Scent Free Shampoo (£17.50) that means you can wash your hair without the worry of scalp irritation with unscented shampoo. A hydrating lift for limp hair, a little of this soothing product goes a long way to restore strength and shine to all hair types.
So in terms of how often to wash your hair, the expert said it depends on your hair type – but a month is definitely too long. She noted that fine hair gets oily quicker because there are more oil glands – so washing every other day is best. While coarse hair can go three to four days between washes, and coil and very curly hair should be every two to three weeks. However you can’t train your scalp to do anything – and urges people to keep it clean to stay healthy.
Another good option is Faith In Nature Shampoo Grapefruit & Orange (£6). A naturally derived shampoo that blends grapefruit and organic orange essential oils to gently cleanse and invigorate, leaving greasy hair feeling fresh and smelling great. Specifically for oily and normal hair types.
While the Hair Burst Shampoo and Conditioner (£18) is SLS and paraben free. This shampoo and conditioner set reduces breakage, promoting hair growth all without compromising on quality. Chemical irritants may strip hair of its moisture: so this formula is SLS and paraben free.
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