This Viral TikTok Trend Might Be Causing Your Hair To Fall Out

A viral hair-cleaning hack may be doing more harm than good.

Hair training is a trick for achieving longer-lasting clean hair that has grown popular on TikTok, with #hairtrainingtips reaching 260.3 million posts and #traininghair reaching 280.2 million posts and counting. Many fans of the technique swear they can go weeks or even months without shampooing — a promise that’s especially tempting for those with oily hair. But does it actually deliver, and is this trend causing more harm than good?

What’s the lowdown on hair training?

Hair training is the practice of gradually extending the time between hair washes to train the scalp to produce less oil, which aims to make your hair look and feel cleaner for longer periods between washes. A major perk, as supporters of the trend claim, is to be able to condition your hair to fit your perfect wash schedule.

Is hair training the real deal?

According to the pros, the answer is no. “While the concept sounds appealing, the science just doesn’t support it,” said hair transplant surgeon and dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman . “If you’re not washing [your hair] regularly, what you’re really doing is allowing sebum, sweat and impurities to build up on your scalp.” That can lead to more hair falling out or other scalp issues, she noted.

Excessive oil and debris on the scalp can also lead to seborrheic dermatitis, a common skin condition that causes dandruff, inflammation and scaly patches, points out board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green . “Scratching it can lead to hair loss due to damaging the hair follicles,” she said.

Sebaceous glands, distributed across the scalp, are responsible for producing sebum, a natural oil that moisturizes and protects the scalp