The hair training trend, centered around washing hair less frequently to reduce greasiness, has gained popularity in the video-sharing platform TikTok. It involves cutting back on shampoo usage to decrease oil production and product buildup, potentially extending the time between washes.
While some endorse this technique, others doubt its efficacy and propose alternative approaches to deal with oily hair. Personalized beauty practices, such as skincare routines and the frequency of hair washing, differ. The advice is tailored to individual requirements and choices.
Hair Training Explained
Daily hair washing can strip away natural oils, causing dryness and prompting the scalp to compensate with excess oil, resulting in greasy hair. This understanding has given rise to a popular TikTok trend known as the 'Hair Training' method.
The method involves extending the time between hair wash days to train the hair to produce less oil, and some individuals are experimenting with not washing their hair for up to 30 days.
Known as scalp or oil training, this approach aims to restore a healthier state by avoiding sulfates in shampoos that can dry out strands. The goal is to prevent the scalp from overproducing natural oils, akin to the skin's response to overwashing, which can lead to increased greasiness.
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Is Hair Training Effective?
The TikTok hashtag #hairtraining has gained popularity with approximately 164.1 million views. In a highly-viewed TikTok post by @cherries_87, a hair content creator, she claimed not to have washed her hair in 33 days, with only three washes in the entire year. The video, posted on April 7, has received over 5.7 million views and 613,000 likes.
The TikTok content creator shared her routine, including soaking her roots in rosemary oil and using a leave-in conditioner, emphasizing that she last washed her hair on March 5, more than a month before the video.
Despite skepticism from some viewers about the effectiveness of hair training, questioning its impact on greasiness and itchiness, the video sparked discussions on the unconventional practice. So, does hair training work?
Not all experts support the concept of hair training, with Dr. Trefor Evans, a cosmetic chemist and research director at TRI-Princeton, dismissing it as a beauty trend lacking scientific backing.
He emphasizes the natural production of sebum, an oily substance from sebaceous glands in hair follicles, stating that while sebum is considered a natural conditioner, it is continually produced, leading to potential oily buildup.
Evans suggests that the natural physiology of the body can't be significantly influenced, and sebum buildup is inherent. Despite skepticism, shampooing less frequently isn't necessarily harmful, allowing individuals to explore the practice based on their hair type.
More so, experts said that the frequency of hair washing varies based on hair type and the natural sebum production of the scalp, influenced by genetics and individual physiology. While daily shampooing may not suit all hair types, some stylists believe that adjusting the frequency of shampooing can reduce oil buildup without causing harm or drying out essential oils.
For effective hair training, experts suggest adopting a gradual approach by reducing the frequency of washing and steering clear of hot water to prevent dryness of the scalp. If noticeable improvements are not observed after a few weeks, the washing routine of one to two times a week may not be suitable for everyone.
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