From skipping the hair dryer to DIY kitchen scrubs, hair restoration experts say some of the platform’s most popular advice is doing the opposite of what followers intend.
TikTok has become one of the most influential sources of everyday lifestyle advice for millions of people, and haircare is among its most active categories. Videos offering tips on washing schedules, heat-free routines, and homemade treatments regularly accumulate tens of millions of views. The problem, according to hair restoration specialists, is that some of the most widely shared advice is based on incomplete understanding – and following it without context can cause genuine damage.
The team at Istanbul Care, a medical travel company specialising in hair transplantation and aesthetic procedures, says it has seen a growing number of patients seeking treatment for problems that originated with unverified online advice. Their specialists have reviewed five of the most prevalent TikTok haircare trends to assess what the evidence actually supports.
1. The ‘No Heat’ Movement
The instinct behind this trend is sound: excessive heat from styling tools causes damage, and reducing it is broadly sensible advice. Where the trend goes wrong, specialists say, is in extending “no heat” to include the hair dryer.
Air-drying – particularly at the roots – creates a persistently damp environment at the scalp that can encourage fungal growth, contribute to buildup, and over time weaken hair strands. The distinction that matters is between styling heat, which is discretionary and often damaging, and functional heat used to dry the scalp properly, which serves a protective purpose.
“Reducing unnecessary heat from straighteners and curling irons during styling is absolutely beneficial,” a specialist from the Istanbul Care team explained. “However, eliminating heat includes skipping the hair dryer, which can actually create serious problems.” The advice should be to reduce heat styling, not to eliminate heat entirely.
2. Washing Hair Less Frequently
Extended washing intervals have accumulated a large following on the platform, and for some hair types the underlying logic is defensible. People with dry or naturally curly hair may genuinely benefit from washing once weekly, preserving the natural oils that help maintain moisture and definition.
For others, however – particularly those with oily scalps, fine hair, or heavy product use – the same approach can lead to bacterial or fungal buildup, scalp irritation, persistent itching, and conditions that affect hair growth over time. “It’s entirely dependent on your individual hair type and lifestyle, not a one-size-fits-all rule,” the Istanbul Care team said.
The problem with the trend is not the advice itself but its presentation as universally applicable. Washing frequency is a variable that needs to be calibrated to the individual, not adopted wholesale from a video optimised for engagement.
3. DIY Scalp Scrubs
Kitchen-ingredient scalp scrubs – typically combining coarse materials like salt, sugar, or baking soda with oils or other household staples – have generated significant viral traction, often promoted as a natural way to stimulate hair growth or remove buildup.
The reality is that the abrasive texture that makes these mixtures feel effective is frequently too harsh for the delicate skin of the scalp. Vigorous application can cause micro-tears, inflammation, and increased hair shedding – outcomes directly contrary to what the trend promises.
“Professionals usually suggest using mild chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid in properly formulated products, or simply cleansing with a clarifying shampoo,” the Istanbul Care team advised. “These are much safer than gritty homemade mixtures.” The issue is not that scalp exfoliation is harmful – it can be beneficial when done correctly – but that DIY abrasive scrubs are a poor substitute for products formulated with the scalp’s specific needs in mind.
4. Extreme Hydration Routines
Some viral routines encourage intensive, repeated conditioning to maximise moisture absorption – the theory being that thoroughly saturated hair is healthier hair. In practice, the relationship between moisture and hair health is more nuanced.
Excessive hydration softens the hair cuticle too much, weakens the shaft, and increases susceptibility to breakage. Hair requires a balance of moisture and protein to maintain its structural integrity, and routines that prioritise one at the expense of the other undermine that balance. “More isn’t always better when it comes to haircare,” a specialist noted, recommending that conditioning treatments be used appropriately and complemented with protein or strengthening treatments when the hair requires them.
5. Hair Cycling
Hair cycling – rotating between different product types such as clarifying shampoos, moisturising formulas, and targeted treatments across the week – is perhaps the most contextually nuanced of the five trends. Done thoughtfully and tailored to a specific individual’s hair needs, it can be a genuinely beneficial approach to maintaining scalp health and product effectiveness.
The difficulty arises when people replicate someone else’s exact cycling schedule without considering whether their hair has the same requirements. “Over-switching products or adding too many without understanding what your hair actually needs may confuse your routine rather than improve it,” the Istanbul Care team said. Hair cycling is a framework that works when personalised – it is considerably less reliable when borrowed wholesale from a stranger’s viral post.
The Broader Warning
The specialists’ overarching concern is not with any single trend in isolation, but with the structural problem of one-size-fits-all advice reaching audiences with fundamentally different hair types, scalp conditions, and lifestyle factors. What produces visible results for the person filming a tutorial may cause damage for the viewer applying the same method to different hair.
“Before following any haircare advice online, it’s important to understand your own hair type and needs,” the Istanbul Care team said. “What works for one person may damage another’s hair. If you’re unsure about which products or routines are right for you, consult a specialist who can tailor recommendations specifically for your hair.”
