9 Hair Hacks To Skip If You Care About Hair Health

Do your future self a favor and skip these viral hair trends.

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In the era of TikTok and endless scrolling, quick hair hacks are popular amongst those looking to take things into their own hands just for the sake of saving money or an "unnecessary" trip to visit a professional. But as tempting as a viral hair hack might seem, not all live up to the hype. In fact, experts argue that many of these hacks may be more damaging than beneficial. Navigating this world of viral-worthy hair advice can be tricky, but don't fret. Here, our experts are on hand to help, guiding us through which hair trends might be better left untried.

It seems counterintuitive, right? Yet, many swear by this method to keep hair silky smooth and protect against drying shampoo. However, according to licensed hairstylist Rachel Swire of Salon Cabelo, while this might seem harmless, it doesn't offer the protection hair needs. "Conditioning first leaves your cuticles vulnerable to rough and raw styling," she states. The purpose of conditioner is to help restore, rebalance, and nourish the cuticles after shampoo has removed dirt, oil, and impurities from the hair and scalp—applying conditioner beforehand doesn't allow the product to do what it's intended to do.

For those looking for gentle cleansing without the harshness of shampoo, Swire suggests a no-sud cleanser followed by a conditioner. This sequence ensures the hair cuticles remain protected and nourished.

The idea of deep-conditioning overnight feels luxurious. Letting those nutrients soak in while you catch zzz's is tempting, to say the least. However, Swire cautions against this practice. "After 20-30 minutes, the conditioner has served its purpose," she notes. In other words, the efficacy of a hair conditioner does not increase the longer it sits on your hair. For truly effective deep conditioning, she recommends investing in a hooded dryer or a hair steamer and sticking to a shorter duration to achieve optimal hair condition results.

Teasing hair goes back decades as a way to pump up the volume on otherwise flat hair. While many have tried this trick for that added oomph, Swire warns us of the potential damage that may stem from this practice. "[Teasing] does help create volume, however, it can cause damage if you're doing it daily or not combing it out properly. When combing out a tease, you must start from the end and work towards the root," she warns. For a safer boost, Swire suggests tools like a round brush or heated rollers, which can be more hair-friendly.

We've all seen those effortless top knots sported by models off the runway. But according to Chicago-based hairstylist Megan Schnell, this look might come at a cost. "Tight ponies and model-off-duty buns can cause traction alopecia. The mids of your hair can also weaken where your elastic is placed, which results in breakage," Schnell explains. Her suggestion? Opt for a silk scrunchy or a claw clip for gentler updos.

While this hack may seem harmless, Schnell believes otherwise. "Sleeping with wet hair might promote fungal and bacterial growth, leading to potential scalp issues and breakage," she warns. Additionally, your hair is most fragile and soft when wet, which can lead to breakage. She advocates for a partial rough dry and securing your hair in a silk scrunchie before hitting the sheets to keep hair safe.

Natalie Crank, the owner of Heir Salon & Heir Education, advises against DIY cuts as she has seen her fair share of haircut disasters. Contrary to what we may see on TikTok, "there is no 'one size fits all' haircut," emphasizes Crank. She firmly believes haircuts should be left to professionals equipped with the tools and knowledge to customize for each individual based on hair type/texture, growth patterns, face shape, and lifestyle.

While it might sound intriguing, Crank isn't a fan. It consists of applying styling cream to your hair, dunking your hair into a bowl of water, and scrunching to help the waves and curls pop. "This method is not only cumbersome, but it can also strain your back and waste product," Crank explains. Her advice? Stick to styling your hair in or after the shower (when your hair is still pretty wet).

Adding a colander to your hair routine instead of a diffuser is one of the more perplexing hacks. Gaia Tonanzi, cosmetic product development expert and founder at Tooti, finds this method ineffective and potentially dangerous. "If you use your dryer on high heat, and your colander is plastic, it could melt and stick to your hair. If your colander is metal, it's even worse—metal is a great heat conductor, so it will heat up, and it could burn the hair strands in direct contact with it," she points out. Tonanzi firmly believes in the value of a good diffuser over makeshift tools (especially since you can find them at various price points).

While the internet is enamored by this protein-packed remedy, Quelia Doyle, hairstylist, beauty expert, and founder of My Beauty Squad, offers some words of caution. "While eggs offer benefits, excessive use can lead to hair that's either too greasy or brittle [from protein overload]," she says. If you're keen on trying, Doyle suggests moderation and cool rinses.

Our experts' consensus? While the world of hair hacks is vast and ever-evolving, it's essential to tread with caution. Only some trends are golden, and sometimes, sticking to time-tested methods or professional advice is the best way to ensure hair health in the long run. It's crucial to remember that sometimes, shortcuts might just put you on the fast track to more damage and undesirable results.