Hair fitness is TikTok’s method of teaching hair to stay clean. But it works?

“By using less aggressive shampoos and reducing the frequency of washing, the scalp will produce less sebum and will not need to compensate for the natural oils that are washed off,” agrees trichologist and Nizoral ambassador Stephanie Sey.

However, sebum isn’t the only thing we wash off when we shower. There is also the daily grime, pollution and cellular debris that need to be taken into consideration: “At some point you will have to wash your hair because natural sebum and environmental pollutants eventually build up. The scalp will itch after a while and the hair will become dull and dull, ”adds Stephanie.

According to trichologist Anabel Kingsley, washing your hair is the only way to prevent bad odors from building up: “The scalp is skin – it’s a living tissue that produces sebum, sweats and releases skin cells and starts to smell bad when it is not washed because the bacteria begin to decompose sebum and sweat when they remain on the skin, and this produces a characteristic musky smell ».

“In addition, the scalp contains apocrine sweat glands, which produce a protein-rich sweat that tends to develop a particularly pungent odor,” continues Anabel, “The apocrine glands are the same as those found in the armpits and pubic region.”

While it is possible to mask these odors to some extent with dry shampoo or scented styling products, the only way to get rid of them is to shampoo your scalp. Annabel cautions that not cleaning the scalp often enough can trigger flaking, itching, irritation and inflammation – which in turn can lead to hair loss. It is for this reason that Anabel is against hair trianing.

“This idea that you can train your hair to require less frequent washing is the most senseless myth that exists. Perhaps because once the scalp and hair pass a certain greasy point, you don’t notice much anymore. A bit like you don’t really see the stains that form on an already dirty carpet “.

So how often do you they should wash the hair?

Again, opinion is divided, but the general consensus is that a month is very, very long. “It really depends on the type of hair and how they respond,” says hairstylist Bernardo Vasconcelos. “Those with naturally oilier scalp and fine hair may find the process difficult and find they can only wait a couple of days at most between washes,” but you also need to wash your hair frequently if you smoke or you live in a polluted environment.

«It’s really a question of balance», Annabel adds, «People with thicker, curlier hair often prefer the look and feel of the day after shampooing and for those with very difficult hair to manage, daily shampooing simply it’s not realistic. In all cases, I would say that you shouldn’t let more than three days pass between one shampoo and the next ».

For those who want a longer interval between washes, Bernardo suggests some color techniques might help: «Having some subtle babylight or balayage helps you stay longer without shampooing because the roots they won’t look that fat, ”she says.