This post has been updated since it originally published on April 12, 2021.
Hair loss is incredibly frustrating regardless of the cause, but there are actually some things you could be doing in your day to day routine which are actually making fallout so much worse. You want to be able to style your hair in a variety of different ways, but there are some looks which are better left on the bench until you can get to the root cause of your thinning locks to avoid risking further damage. If you’ve been struggling with hair fallout and are wondering what could be the culprit, these six styles may be to blame for tugging hair from the scalp and expediting thinning.
Also: check out this informative video by Dermatologist Dr. Dray about hairstyles that can cause hair to thin:
Tight Ponytails
Ponytails are the ideal style for workouts and hot summer days, but pulling your hair too tight may be causing it to rip from the scalp, increasing the rate of fallout and damaging your strands. Doris Day, a dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center specializing in hair loss tells Allure, “Traction alopecia is caused by anything that pulls on the hair, ultimately damaging the root and can lead to scarring and permanent hair loss. It’s a process that usually takes years. Underlying causes can be tight braiding, tight ponytails, or even just pulling at the hair.” If you’re already noticing thinning hair, try not to pull your ponytail too tight, or use a scrunchie to lessen the strain on your scalp.
Wet Styling
You may be tempted to throw your hair up into a bun or updo straight out of the shower to save time on styling, but this can actually cause immediate breakage as your strands are much more fragile when wet. Celebrity hair and makeup stylist Vibha Gusain tells Vogue, “Wet hair is weak and fragile, and pulling or brushing it aggressively can cause hair fall and breakage.” If you’re seeking out the wet look, a shine spray will do the trick without causing damage.
Tight Braids
Just like a tight ponytail, tugging your hair into braids may have the same thinning effect, causing hair to fall out from the root. If you’re insistent on maintaining this style, keep your braids on the looser side and at the very least, make sure your hair is completely dry before you braid it as wet hair is more likely to break.
Messy Buns
By the haphazard nature of messy buns, this style can tug at the roots and cause breakage on your strands, leaving you with thinning and fallout. Particularly if you sleep with your hair up in a messy bun you may be signing up for unnecessary hair loss that could be easily prevented by sleeping with your hair down or in a loose chignon.
Straightened Strands
Heat damage is well known for causing your hair to break off, and using a straightener is no exception. Celeb hairstylist Bianca Hillier tells Byrdie, “Using multiple passes of thermal heat is physically changing the inner molecular structure of the hair. It opens the most outer cuticle layer and enters inside to break the bonds of the hair (or the skeleton of the hair). This is how split ends are formed.” If you must straighten your hair, make sure to use a heat protectant, but if you’re struggling with excessive breakage, it may be worth putting away the hot tools for the time being.
Using Harsh Styling Products To Keep Your ‘Do In Place
Lastly, Dr. Dray stresses that it isn’t just tight ponytails, braids, and buns that cause hair loss, but also the styling products that you’re using to create slicked-back ‘dos. Specifically, she mentions long-wear hair gel that is made with an abundance of alcohol and can be drying on baby hairs at your crown. This product, in combination with less-than-gentle stying maneuvers like brushing your hair back to keep it firmly in place, can cause stress at the roots and lead to more hair fall.
Even if you live for an elegant tight bun or super-straight hair, giving your hair breaks between these styles can help minimize the damage they cause. Try and change up your hair styles and avoid excessively tight or overheated styles to the best of your ability to give your hair and roots a rest.
