# Scalp Popping Hair Cracking > Scalp Popping Hair Cracking is a 2020 TikTok viral challenge where users twist and yank hair sections near the root to produce a loud popping sound, popularized by erikabretado's video of her mother performing it as a claimed headache remedy. Scalp popping (also called hair cracking) is the practice of twisting a small section of hair near the root and yanking it upward to produce a loud popping sound, similar to cracking your knuckles. The technique went viral on TikTok in late November 2020 after user erikabretado shared a video of her mother performing it as a headache remedy[4]. Despite claims that it relieves tension and migraines, medical professionals have repeatedly warned that scalp popping can cause hair loss, bleeding, and serious scalp injuries[1]. ## Origin The roots of scalp popping predate TikTok by a long stretch. A 2014 research paper in *Medical Anthropology Quarterly* documented a practice called "Chucaque" in the Peruvian Andes, where locals used a similar hair-pulling technique to treat headaches believed to be caused by sun exposure or stress[2]. The technique is also practiced in Turkish and Indian barbershops as part of a post-haircut head massage[4]. On Reddit, a July 4, 2020 post to r/Esthetics described a user's experience at an Asian full-service salon where a stylist performed the hair cracking technique on them[4]. Commenters suggested the sensation was related to fascia release, comparing it to massage therapy techniques[3]. One of the earliest videos of scalp popping appeared on YouTube on August 4, 2016, picking up over 120,000 views across four years[4]. A separate video of a barber performing the technique uploaded on October 12, 2019 reached over 369,000 views[4]. The TikTok trend kicked off on November 21, 2020, when erikabretado posted a video of her mother popping her scalp, captioned "My mom's own Mexican Remedy for headaches"[4]. That clip pulled in over 1.8 million views within two weeks. - **Platform:** TikTok - **Creator:** erikabretado (first TikTok video), Yana Semerly (viral popularizer) - **Date:** 2020 ## Overview Scalp popping is performed by grabbing a small section of hair close to the scalp, winding it tightly around the fingers, and pulling upward with a quick tug. When done with enough force, the scalp produces an audible pop or crack. The sound is believed to come from the galea (a layer of tissue on the scalp) separating from the periosteum, the membrane covering the skull bone[1]. Others speculate it's the snapping of fascia release, similar to the sensation felt during deep tissue massage[3]. The practice drew both fascination and horror online. Some viewers found the cracking sound deeply satisfying, placing it in the same category as knuckle cracking and ASMR content[2]. Others recoiled at the idea of yanking hair hard enough to pop the scalp. The hashtag #ScalpPopping collected over 6.5 million views on TikTok[3]. ## How It Spread Five days after erikabretado's video, TikTok user Yana Semerly (yanasemerly) uploaded her own version on November 26, 2020, directly crediting erikabretado as inspiration[4]. Semerly's video hit over 5 million views in a single week[2]. On November 28, gizzybautista added another entry to the trend, racking up 925,000 views in six days[4]. By early December, the media picked up the story. Health.com published an article on December 2, 2020 featuring a licensed massage therapist who backed the Mexican origin claim but cautioned that pulling hair incorrectly could result in pain and hair loss[4]. PopBuzz[3] and The Daily Dot[1] both ran pieces the following day, December 3. The trend resurfaced periodically. In 2021, Dr. Ross Perry told Newsweek that scalp popping "should never be attempted at home or in a salon," warning it could cause subgaleal hematoma, a dangerous pooling of blood under the scalp[1]. In 2023, neurosurgeon Dr. Betsy Grunch posted a TikTok response explaining that the practice could cause alopecia and scalp inflammation, which might actually worsen migraines rather than relieve them[1]. ASMR creators also embraced the trend, filming close-up scalp popping videos with high-quality microphones to capture the cracking sounds[1]. The crossover between body-cracking content and ASMR gave the trend extra staying power beyond the initial wave. At some point, TikTok began displaying a safety warning when users searched for "hair cracking," "scalp popping," or related hashtags[1]. The platform typically deploys these warnings for challenges that encourage potentially harmful behaviors, putting scalp popping in the same category as the Benadryl and Blackout challenges[1]. ## How to Use Scalp popping isn't a meme template but a physical technique that people film and share. The typical video format involves: 1. One person sits while a friend or family member stands behind them 2. The person performing it grabs a small section of hair close to the roots 3. They twist the hair tightly around their fingers 4. They pull the twisted hair upward with a quick, firm tug 5. An audible pop or crack is heard, often met with a reaction from both parties ## Cultural Impact The trend sparked a minor debate about cultural origins. Multiple claims circulated online attributing scalp popping to Mexican, Turkish, Asian, and Peruvian traditions[4]. While little verifiable documentation exists for most of these claims, the 2014 academic paper on Chucaque in Peru provides the strongest documented link to a traditional healing practice[2]. The medical community responded more aggressively to scalp popping than to many TikTok trends. At least three doctors produced public video responses warning about the risks, and TikTok's decision to suppress search results for the practice signaled that the platform considered it a genuine safety concern[1]. ## Fun Facts - The popping sound may be caused by the skin separating from the skull, creating a vacuum effect "like pulling a suction cup off the shower wall," according to a massage therapist quoted by Health.com[4]. - An alternative theory suggests the sound comes from fascia release, the snapping of thin membranes surrounding muscles beneath the scalp[3]. - Turkish and Indian barbers have offered hair cracking as a routine part of post-haircut massages long before TikTok existed[2]. - Blogger Bev Potter tried it and described "a wave of relaxation cascade from the top of my head down my body" but cautioned about the potential harm[2]. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is scalp popping? Scalp popping is a technique where someone twists a section of hair tightly and pulls it upward to produce a cracking or popping sound from the scalp[4]. ### Where did scalp popping come from? The practice has been linked to multiple cultural traditions including Mexican headache remedies, Turkish barbershop techniques, and a Peruvian Andes healing practice called Chucaque documented in a 2014 academic paper[2]. ### What does scalp popping mean? People share scalp popping videos primarily as a satisfying body-cracking trend, similar to knuckle or back cracking content. Some claim it relieves headaches and tension, though there's no scientific proof supporting that[1]. ### How do you use scalp popping in memes? Scalp popping spread as a participatory TikTok trend rather than a meme template. Users film themselves or friends performing the technique, often capturing surprised or satisfied reactions to the popping sound[3]. ### Is scalp popping still popular? The trend has resurfaced multiple times since its 2020 peak, with new waves in 2021 and 2023 prompting fresh warnings from medical professionals[1]. TikTok now suppresses search results for scalp popping terms[1]. ### Is scalp popping dangerous? Yes. Doctors warn it can cause bleeding, bald patches, folliculitis, alopecia, and subgaleal hematoma, a dangerous pooling of blood under the scalp[1]. ### What makes the popping sound during scalp popping? Dr. Anthony Youn explained that the sound comes from the galea, a layer of the scalp, being pulled away from the periosteum, which covers the bone[1]. Others suggest it's fascia snapping[3]. ### Who started the scalp popping TikTok trend? TikTok user erikabretado posted the first known scalp popping video on the platform on November 21, 2020, showing her mother performing it as a Mexican headache remedy[4]. Yana Semerly's follow-up video five days later drove the trend into viral territory with over 5 million views[4]. ### Why did TikTok block scalp popping searches? TikTok displays a safety warning for searches related to scalp popping because the practice can cause physical harm. The platform uses the same warning system for other dangerous challenges like the Benadryl and Blackout challenges[1]. ### Can scalp popping help with headaches? While practitioners in various cultures have used the technique to treat headaches, there is no scientific evidence that scalp popping provides headache relief. Dr. Betsy Grunch noted that the resulting inflammation could actually make migraines worse[1]. ## References 1. [What Is Scalp Popping Or Hair Cracking? Is It Safe For Your Hair?]() 2. [Hair Cracking Is One Viral TikTok Trend Best Left Alone]() 3. [What is scalp popping? The hair cracking trend is going viral on TikTok - Capital]() 4. [Scalp Popping / Hair Cracking - Know Your Meme]() 5. 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