"Hair Cracking" Is Trending on TikTok—Here's Why Dermatologists Warn Against It

If you spend time on TikTok, there's a good chance you've come across "hair cracking" videos. But if you haven't seen such videos on your FYP, we'll fill you in. Essentially, this technique involves pulling rapidly on your hair to elicit a popping or cracking sensation. As of late, many people have been turning to this technique in hopes that it will relieve scalp tension and cure their migraines or headaches.

Since we're all about evidence-based treatments around here, we decided to dive in and find out whether dermatologists recommend hair cracking and, most importantly, if it actually works. Ahead, find everything you need to know about the viral hair cracking trend.

Meet Our Expert

• Deeptej Singh, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sandia Dermatology.

• Connie Yang, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at PFrankMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank.
  

What Is Hair Cracking?

Hair cracking, also known as scalp popping, is when someone pulls on sections of their hair to create a popping sensation in their scalp. The reason you may hear a popping or crackling sound or feel a popping sensation with hair cracking is that when you quickly pull on your hair, the scalp may separate from a strong layer of fibrous connective tissue called the galea aponeurotica.

The technique is trending on TikTok and is said to relieve tension or even offer relief to people with migraines. Though hair cracking is wildly popular right now, the problem is that many dermatologists (at least the ones we spoke with for this piece) aren't convinced it works.

Is Hair Cracking Safe?

According to Singh and Yang, hair cracking isn't a good idea. They say it has the potential to cause several different hair and scalp issues, and there doesn't seem to be any scientific basis to support the claims that hair cracking can relieve scalp tension and migraines. "There are no proven benefits to hair cracking, and it can potentially damage the hair, skin, and underlying blood vessels," Singh says.

One negative side effect that could arise with hair cracking is the risk of developing traction alopecia, a form of hair loss caused by repeatedly pulling on the hair. Aside from hair cracking, traction alopecia can also occur with other types of strong traction or pulling on the hair, like tying your hair back in a super tight ponytail or bun. As Yang explains, placing that much tension on your hair can cause your hair follicles to become scarred, inflamed, and damaged, and the scarring can even become permanent and cause permanent hair loss. Among the more obvious risks, pulling on your hair to obtain that hair-cracking effect can also break your hair or tear your skin, neither of which is an ideal outcome.

Additionally, if you're hoping hair cracking will relieve your migraines and other types of headaches, know that the opposite could occur. "The trauma can also increase inflammation in the scalp, potentially worsening your headaches," Yang says.

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The Alternatives to Hair Cracking

There are a few doctor-approved alternatives to hair cracking. Yang suggests gently massaging your temples, neck, and shoulders to relieve tension. If you're looking to address migraines, Yang recommends implementing a few at-home practices. She suggests altering your environment so it's potentially less overwhelming and stimulating. "Turning down the lights and reducing sensory stimuli can be helpful," Yang adds. "Applying a cold or warm compress may also provide some relief."

Overall, there are many other techniques better suited for treating migraines and other types of headaches than the viral scalp popping method. It ultimately comes down to finding the treatments that work best for you. For help, Singh recommends contacting a board-certified neurologist for further tips and guidance on relieving headaches, migraines, and scalp tension.

The Final Takeaway

Long story short: Hair cracking (or scalp popping) isn't a great idea. According to Yang and Singh, there's no scientific evidence to support that this technique works for relieving headaches and tension in your scalp. Beyond the lack of scientific evidence, hair cracking also carries some potential side effects that are not exactly ideal, like a form of hair loss called traction alopecia and broken hair and scalp inflammation. "Hair cracking is a practice without any scientifically proven benefits but with some very real risks," Yang says.

Ultimately, Singh points out that the risks that come along with hair cracking make this a trend not worth following. "It's important to remember that all interventions have risks and benefits," he says. "If a procedure presents only risks without any proven benefits, it is not advisable to pursue it."

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Read the original article on Byrdie.