Hairdressers urge not to give in to the temptation to forgo shampoo for an entire month. This popular trend is harmful to hair and the scalp, and not just because of the odor.
A new trend encouraging people not to wash their hair for 30 days is turning scalps and hair into breeding grounds for bacteria. Hairdressers are warning people not to give in to the persuasion of those who dislike washing and not to forgo shampoo for an entire month. The TikTok trend of not washing hair for 30 days is fraught with odor, health risks, and even baldness for those who decide to defy hygiene rules.
Proponents of the new trend claim it returns hair to its natural state and promotes the growth of healthier, thicker hair. But leading hairstylist Rachel Valentine told the Dailystar: “The scalp is a living organ, just like the rest of the skin on the body, and at the same time, it is a nutrient medium for bacteria and yeast. It collects dirt and becomes greasy if not cleaned regularly.”
As an experiment, a London hairdresser stopped washing her hair for just three days, after which her scalp was examined under a microscope. “You can already see how flakes of dry skin start to accumulate. One can only imagine how it will look after 20–30 days. If you don’t wash your body every day, it starts to smell. This is exactly what will happen with the scalp,” Valentine explained. She recommended washing hair every other day or at least twice a week to maintain scalp health.
Hair expert from the USA Abby Young also warned about the dangers of the viral TikTok trend of not washing hair for a month. “While skipping hair washing may seem like a good idea for achieving thicker hair, in reality, this tactic can lead to issues such as itching, flaking, and even hair loss. If you go too long without washing your hair, these consequences are inevitable,” Young noted.
Abby Young and Rachel Valentine spoke out after the British hair transplant clinic UK Hair Transplants highlighted this issue in a new report. It stated: “Dermatologists warn against such long breaks between hair washes. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that the frequency of hair washing depends on how oily your scalp is and how active you are. This will help keep the scalp clean without removing natural oils.”
