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    Is your ponytail harming your hair?

    Updated:26 May 2017 2:48 PM | Posted by
    bh's Olivia Mackinnon's picture
    bh's Olivia Mackinnon
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    The most classic women’s hairstyle in the world, the humble ponytail has long been a savior for those who want to do something easy and stylish with their hair, or who simply want a chic way to remove their locks from their face.

    A ponytail advocate myself, I went along to experience a bhave in-salon rescue treatment recently, convinced I’d receive another gold star for how healthy my hair felt (I am a hair editor after all). Little did I know they’d bring out a microscope and dig a little deeper into my hair-styling habits.

    Below is the image taken before the treatment. This shot was taken after the stylist pulled out my hair from – yep – a ponytail and focused on the part of my hair where the hair elastic sat. They could tell in around five seconds flat (due to the overwhelming damage to that part of my hair – check out the breakage!) that my ponytail often sat in that exact same spot on my head – and my strands were suffering for it.

    After my nourishing rescue treatment, the microscope was brought out again and the below shot was taken of the exact same patch of hair. The bhave treatment had successfully hydrated and smoothed the damaged hair. I was amazed.

    After my experience, I’ve learned three key things:

    - Use a good-quality hydrating treatment often.

    Try: bhave™ deep intense conditioning masque, Seven Wonders Moroccan Argan Oil Treatment and De Lorenzo Equilibrium

    - Choose the right hair elastics.

    Try metal-free, snag-proof elastics that won’t pinch or tear your hair. We love LYXO Hair Bands (10 pack, $8.95, 1300 677 271) and Gliders Snag Free Hair Elastics.

    - Switch up your positioning.

    Changing your ‘do often will not only help to protect your hair from damage, but will help you to switch up your style and not always rock the same look day in, day out. Try changing between a super-high, casual mid-height and low pony each day to ensure your hair doesn't become severely damaged in one place.

    Is your hair styling damaging your hair? Are you a frequent ponytail-wearer?

    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

    Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.

    De Lorenzo Essential Treatments Equilibrium
    Write a Review

    118 Member Comments

    Beautyguru101 28 Jun 2020 5:44 PM

    I’ve always worn my hair in a ponytail and had no idea it was getting damaged.

    elmorules 25 Aug 2018 10:06 PM

    Great article !!! Thanks BH

    missm7393 25 Aug 2018 3:13 PM

    I love wearing a ponytail but I do find my hairline going back...:( thanks for the tips, though, bh!

    bebeautiful34 24 Aug 2018 12:06 PM

    I used to always have my hair pulled into a ponytail but these days my hair is so damaged from being coloured so much and I try not to put it in a ponytail often.

    Goddess..... 24 Aug 2018 11:40 AM

    Great article & so very true. I've already been doing this for a while now.

    Bellefleur 15 Oct 2017 12:28 PM

    I do so like a pony tail but I always unsure to have metal free and snag free elastics

    Jean19 16 Sep 2017 8:02 AM

    So worrisome--I'm useless with hair and a ponytail is about the max of my abilities--now that has to get changed up. Need some easy up do advice.

    jlsta 4 May 2017 6:36 PM

    omg I wear my hair in ponytail all the time, great article BH!

    Chicklet 25 Jan 2017 7:11 PM

    That's interesting and scary to see!

    Yohanna 26 Apr 2016 4:52 PM

    Do not know how much damage it causes, but it is just to tight for me to wear more than an hour. And at the point where the hair is tied i get very very itchy

    Shop A Everyday 23 Apr 2016 8:42 PM

    A looser style is better for your hair

    Yohanna 26 Apr 2016 4:51 PM

    agree completely!

    Dazza the wombat 15 Apr 2016 2:12 PM

    I always put my hair in a high tight pony tail when its wet & I used to wonder why I had a headache most afternoons. I'm guessing as it dried, it pulled on the scalp maybe? Now I have been putting it in a loose pony for a few weeks & no more headaches.

    Yohanna 26 Apr 2016 4:52 PM

    I have seen that happen with my sis. I just can not stand tightly pulled hair in any do

    maggieball 15 Apr 2016 12:21 PM

    I love the look of a pony but they always hurt these days and I almost always end up taking them out. I find clips are a bit more gentle than elastics.

    Elefante 15 Apr 2016 12:14 PM

    I useto be but I have since cut a lob so it's not an option until it grows out!

    Shop A Everyday 16 Oct 2015 8:17 PM

    A looser style is better

    helen584 12 Oct 2015 6:02 PM

    Thanks Olivia, I did not know this about having the pony tail in the same place and the breakage-wow-not doing that anymore.

    Tammylan73 7 Oct 2015 11:21 PM

    Have to wear a pony for work :( I'm def mixing up my pony positions from now on!

    lynx 6 Oct 2015 5:37 PM

    I have had long hair all my life and I know this sin pretty well, I never put any form of hair elastic snag-less or not in the top of my hair as it will cause damage that takes years to grow out. The weight of the hair does not fair well with any hair ties rubbing on it. I would much rather wear a plait or lightly scroll my hair in a loose low bun with a couple of small claw clips.

    helga22 6 Oct 2015 4:39 PM

    After the last summer ponytail season my very fine hair broke were the rubber band was holding my hair together. I did not realise it first; but after the end of summer my ponytail was only half as thick than before. I had to cut my hair to shoulder length; it's now layered and does not have the same length anymore. I also realised that the older I get the less strength does my hair have. So for the coming season I have to try a new hairdo to save the rest of my hair; otherwise I will end up with a shaven head by the end of summer :)

    Shop A Everyday 5 Jul 2015 2:35 PM

    They do say to not where a ponytail too high or too tight, as long as it's not all the time

    Jano's 22 May 2015 11:47 PM

    Oh no, maybe just a soft bun , to do the trick

    Yohanna 10 Apr 2015 7:05 AM

    why why why...

    Kezzaa86 13 Dec 2014 7:14 AM

    :)

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