HairTok hacks – the dos and don’ts

#Hairtiktok and #Haircare have 50.9 billion views combined on TikTok, so it’s no surprise that there are thousands of creators giving tips, tricks, and hacks that supposedly make your hair the best it can be.  The amount of information can be overwhelming, so the experts at foxyhair.com have offered their dos and don’ts of the most popular haircare trends.  

#HeatlessCurls – 8.9 billion views

It’s no secret that using too much heat is bad for our hair and can cause breakage and dryness. Heatless curls allow you to wake up with perfect waves without the damage – in theory.

There are a few different tools you can use, like socks, a dressing gown cord, or a specially designed heatless curling rod.

Like most things, there is a learning curve when trying heatless curls. Some twist their hair around the tool, whilst others use a braid-like technique, which can be fiddly and difficult to get the hang of. Don’t try these out for the first time if you have important plans the next day, as they might not turn out perfect on the first go.

Those with short hair may also struggle, as it can be difficult to wrap the shorter pieces from the back of your head and keep them secure. Depending on your hair type, the curls may not last as long as they would from using heat. Try using different hair products, like a mousse, hair spray or gel, to keep them in place for longer.

#RosemaryOil – 3.1 billion views

Rosemary oil has blown up in the haircare community, with claims that it can increase hair growth when applied to the scalp. Carnosic acid, a chemical compound found in the plant, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help stimulate nerve endings.

Make sure that any rosemary oil you purchase is mixed with a ‘carrier oil,’ which is an oil that dilutes essential oils and ‘carries’ them into the skin at a safe concentration. This is because rosemary oil by itself is too strong and can cause damage to your scalp. If you make your own, you could use coconut or jojoba as the carrier oil. Shelf life can vary from a week to a few months, so it’s best to store your oil in the fridge and check for changes in smell or colour.

The most popular method is applying the oil onto the scalp and massaging it in, either with your fingers or a scalp massager. How long you choose to leave it in depends on your hair type and how much time you have available.

If you have fine or oily hair, half an hour is recommended, but ensure you wash it out well afterwards. For long, thick hair, you can leave it on for a few hours. Oiling your hair once a week on a hair-wash day is a good rule of thumb.

It is important to note that rosemary oil is not a quick or guaranteed fix. It could take over six months of consistent use to see results. There is also no way to increase the speed of hair growth, only to improve the amount of hair growth. Hair growth is influenced by genetics and age, which means this won’t be a miracle solution for everybody.

#HairDusting – 24.2 million views

Hair dusting is a technique where you cut off your split ends, strand by strand. It can be done by professionals in a salon, or even at home, and the process allows you to keep the length and shape of your hair whilst removing the visible damage.

The first thing you’ll need is a pair of hair-cutting scissors – don’t use your standard kitchen ones, as the blade needs to be sharp and thin to get a precise cut. Section your hair, then loop the hair under your index finger and over your middle finger tightly. Move your fingers down the hair slowly and snip off any split ends that poke out. You can also twist your hair and do the same thing.

This is a very time-consuming process, particularly if you have thick hair, as you’re cutting individual strands. Don’t go into this process expecting to catch every single split end on your head. You also need to be careful that you’re only cutting ends that have already split and not healthy strands, as this can affect your hair density in the long run.

Those with curly hair, textured hair, or those who have layers may need to experiment with different techniques to get their split ends to become visible, but there are several tutorials available online. If you’re not confident you can find the split ends, visit a hairdresser who specializes in your hair type to get the best result.

#DoubleShampooing – 7 million views

The idea of double shampooing or double cleansing is that the first wash breaks down any oils, dirt, or buildup on your scalp, whilst the second helps to wash these impurities away, particularly any stubborn products on the hair.

By removing all impurities, you allow for haircare products to penetrate the hair more deeply. You can also reduce the number of times you need to wash your hair, as your scalp is cleaner the first time around.

However, this method might not suit everyone. If you already have a dry scalp, shampooing more than once can strip the hair of its natural oils, causing dandruff and irritation. This is also true if you like to wash your hair every day, so if you want to start double cleansing, your routine might need to change.

Make sure to only target your scalp when double shampooing, as the lengths of your hair don’t produce any oil and will, therefore, be dryer to begin with. Use a hair mask or conditioner through your ends afterwards for soft, hydrated hair.

Charlie Winman from foxyhair.com has commented on these tips:

“The most important thing to remember is that everybody’s hair is different due to genetics and lifestyle choices. TikTok trends can make it seem like certain hacks will work for everyone when this isn’t necessarily the case.

“It is crucial to research any trends that you see before trying them out. Hopefully, this advice will provide some help to those in their haircare journey, allowing them to make choices that are suited to their haircare needs, which will ultimately yield the best results.”