Hairline cracksa viral trend that has made the rounds several times over the years is making a comeback on TikTok. And that’s not necessarily a good thing.
What is TikTok’s hair-raising trend?
Hair cracking, also called scalp popping, first went viral on TikTok in 2020. It involves taking a small section of hair, twisting and pulling it tight, and then yanking it, which results in a popping sound.
“The popping sound you hear is coming from the galea – a layer of scalp – peeling away from the periosteum that covers the bone,” Dr. Anthony Youn explained in a video responding to the trend.
The exact causes of hairline cracks are unclear. Health.com It has been mentioned previously that it is used as a headache remedy in Asian, Turkish and Mexican cultures, but much of the information available online regarding its history is anecdotal in nature.
Although the claim that scalp popping helps with headaches has also spread alongside the trend, Youn points out: “There is no scientific evidence that scalp popping can help with headaches.”
Why are people jumping on this hair loss trend?
The alleged pain relief is one reason why this TikTok trend continues to spread on TikTok, but it has also gained traction among ASMR fans and people who simply like to try out viral trends.
But anyone thinking about jumping on the bandwagon might want to think again.
Is hair breakage dangerous?
In short: yes.
Hair breakage can cause a number of complications. Bleeding, bald patches and folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles) are all possible consequences. For this reason, experts have repeatedly warned against jumping on the trend every time it goes viral.
“This should never be attempted at home or in a salon as there are a number of dangers associated with it,” Dr. Ross Perry told Newsweek in 2021. “It can (also) cause a subgaleal hematoma, which is a collection of blood under the scalp and can be incredibly dangerous.”
In 2023, Dr. Betsy Grunch posted her own video response, noting, “(Scalp popping) can actually cause alopecia, or hair loss, and can cause inflammation in the scalp. And inflammation can actually make migraines worse. If done wrong, it can also cause skin cracking and bald spots on the head.”
Are hair-raising videos banned on TikTok?
Videos about “hairline crack” posted over the years are still all over TikTok, but if you search for “hairline crack,” “scalp crack,” or the corresponding hashtags, you’ll get this warning instead:
It’s unclear when exactly TikTok stopped showing results for these searches, but this warning is often used when challenges that encourage potentially harmful behavior, such as the Benadryl, Chroming or Blackout challenges, appear on the platform.
In other words, if the hair loss trend is so dangerous that TikTok is actively trying to stop its spread, you’d better not try it at home.
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