Hair Expert Warns Against Viral Toothbrush Hair Washing Hack for Greasy Roots

While you might typically associate greasy roots with summer heat, the colder weather can wreak just as much havoc on your scalp. Your scalp will often over-produce sebum in the autumn and winter months to combat the drier air.

With this seasonal shift, it’s no surprise many are turning to social media platforms for hacks on how to prevent greasy roots.

viral trend recommends people to scrub their scalps with a toothbrush while washing their hair. One video, with 4.6 million views, goes as far as to promise viewers to never have greasy roots again if you follow the ‘hack’ for a week.

However, don’t be misled by such claims. While your scalp might initially feel squeaky clean, scrubbing your scalp repeatedly with a toothbrush can actually cause more oil production by over-stimulating your sebaceous glands, leaving you with greasier hair over time.

This method also risks inflaming your scalp and worsening any pre-existing scalp conditions like dandruff or psoriasis.

It might be tempting to think a toothbrush is a convenient tool for exfoliating away dead skin however, toothbrush bristles are typically too stiff and harsh for delicate scalp skin. This will likely irritate your scalp, especially if you’re scrubbing as harshly as the trend recommends.

You also run the risk of tangling your hair at the root which will lead to damaging your locks.

Unlike a scalp exfoliator, designed to be gentle on your hair with wide-spaced large flexible bristles, a toothbrush’s bristles are far too compact to easily pull away from your hair. This will very likely cause you to backcomb your hair at the root, leaving you with broken hair over time.

If the colder weather is causing your hair to become greasier, consider switching up your products instead of your washing technique.

Incorporating a clarifying shampoo no more than once a week is vital to removing sweat, dead and general grime, helping your hair stay grease-free for longer.

A gentle scalp exfoliant is also a great addition to your winter haircare routine, such as scalp scrubs and chemical exfoliants. Look for products that contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid, as well as nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E and argan oil to support a healthy scalp. 

Take care to avoid using clarifying shampoos or exfoliants too frequently which can dry out your scalp and lead to a flaky scalp and can trigger your hair to over-produce oils to counteract this dryness.

By Nicole Petty, Hair Expert, Milk & Blush