Are My Slicked-Back Hairstyles Damaging My Hair?

A chic, pulled-back bun or ponytail is always in style. Celebrities and influencers alike love this look — Tracee Ellis Ross, the Richie sisters, the Kardashian-Jenners, and Jennifer Lopez all wear slicked-back buns or ponies both on the red carpet and off. But even they know you can’t slick back your hair back every day; if you do it too often, there could be real consequences to your hair and scalp.

Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail or bun daily not only will cause hair thinning, but also can cause a condition called traction alopecia. “The constant tension on the scalp and hair follicles can lead to traction alopecia, which is hair loss caused by pulling on the hair,” explains board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Nathan Newman, M.D. “The damage done over time includes breakage, thinning, weakened hair shaft, and scalp discomfort.” 

To avoid this, Dr. Newman recommends limiting tight hairstyles to just six to eight hours per day, and then giving your hair a rest the next day. Plus, he notes, you should never sleep in a tight hairstyle. “The key factor is frequency — the more often you wear tight styles and the tighter they are, the quicker visible damage or hair loss can occur,” he says.

There are also certain types of hair that may be more susceptible to traction alopecia; people with these hair types should be especially careful to limit their time in tighter hairstyles. “People with fine, fragile, or chemically treated hair are more susceptible to breakage and damage from tension,” Dr. Newman says. This includes those with “curly and coily hair — types 3 and 4 — and [already] thinning hair or preexisting hair loss conditions,” he says.

Another thing you can do to avoid traction alopecia and breakage from tight styles? Don’t style your hair into tight looks when it’s wet. Additionally, use loose hair ties such as scrunchies or spiral ties, and change up your hairstyles regularly.