Ponytails are a go-to hairstyle as they only take a second to do, your hair stays out of the way so you can play sports, cook, or relax, and they look great. But ponytails can also lead to headaches when worn too tight, hair breakage from the pressure and friction when you use non-covered styling bands as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology, and traction alopecia when you wear them too tight or too often.
This study on women in China that wear ponytails regularly also shows a direct correlation to frontal hair loss and wearing a ponytail. With that said, there’s no need to worry.
You don’t have to give up this go-to hairstyle if you adjust the way you wear them. So we’d like to share five tips based on the sources above to help you reduce some of the issues that could come from wearing a ponytail.
Use Covered Hair Ties and Scrunchies Instead of Elastic
From the article by the American Academy of Dermatology and this article from the NIH both recommend using a covered hair tie instead of a rubber or elastic band to help reduce damage to the strands of hair. There will be less friction and pressure to help stop the fraying and breakage.
Options here include coil hair ties and scrunchies which have a coating or fabric to lessen the friction while providing a strong grip.
Reduce the Frequency You Wear Them
If your scalp is being damaged because you wear a ponytail too often, give it a break. Instead of wearing a ponytail every day, wear it only when necessary like gym days.
Try other styles like a loose braid which lets your scalp rest and keeps your hair out of the way. The goal is to give your scalp time to heal and the hair products you use to repair damage time to work if you always tie your ponytail in the same spot in your hair.
Loosen the Grip and Tightness
If you have to wear a ponytail on a regular basis, try loosening it up. Some of the studies above showed that this helps reduce the headaches ponytails cause. And using a scrunchie instead of an elastic rubber band adds a layer of fabric that may be easier on your locks than a tight elastic band. Not to mention they add pops of color and fabric adding to your outfit.
Reduce the Pulling From Brushing
There are multiple types of hair brushes and combs, and not all of them are created equal when it comes to how rough they are on your hair and scalp.
Curved hair brushes let you work through more strands of hair at once which can help reduce the amount of brushes needed to smooth your hair and distribute sebum. And cushion hair brushes have been known to stimulate hair growth. We have a guide to the types of hair brushes and combs here if you’re curious.
Don’t Wear a Wet Hair Ponytail
Our last tip is to avoid putting wet hair up in a ponytail. According to this article from the University of Utah featuring Timothy Schmidt, MD, PHD, wet hair is more prone to breakage due to the protein structure being weaker. If you do have to put your hair up when its wet, use a fabric or a hair tie that is designed for wet hair like our terrycloth scrunchies for when you get out of a pool or the shower.
You don’t have to give up ponytails, only shift the way you style them or the frequency you wear them if you’re seeing hair breakage, hair loss, or having ponytail headaches.
