Even though tying your hair is an extremely common task, certain bad habits that are perpetuated can be harmful to your hair health.
Tying your hair is something that many have already learned to do automatically. For those with long hair, then, the task is practically a necessity on hot days and any time that long strands get in the way. However, despite its simplicity, making ponytails, depending on the method, can be harmful to your hair. The simple action can end up compromising the health and beauty of the locks, something completely unwanted.
The problem with tying your hair is not in the tails and buns, but in the strength of the tie, frequency and duration of use and, mainly, what is used to tie it. Even the weight of the strands can influence the intensity of the damage, as the heavier the hairstyle, the greater the tension at the roots. Such tension can even lead to traction alopecia, a disease that arises from excessive use of tight hairstyles. Thus, the loss of hair and its breakage, stimulated, leads to baldness.
For those who tend to straighten their hair a lot, color it and use devices such as straighteners, curling irons and dryers, it is essential to take extra care when tying your hair. The processes, by weakening the wires, can leave them vulnerable to even more problems when attaching them. It must be taken into account that the scalp itself ends up being affected by any binding that is too tight. By reducing blood flow to the hair root, natural hair growth is impaired.
Check below everything you need to know about how to tie your hair without damaging it, as well as the bad habits associated with the practice, so that they don’t happen again.
Common mistakes when tying your hair
It is extremely difficult not to make one or two mistakes when it comes to tying your hair. After all, the process often needs to happen quickly, freeing the face from long hair or just relieving the heat. Either way, avoiding bad habits is very simple once you learn about them.
1 – Tie wet hair
When damp, hair tends to be more sensitive than normal, requiring greater attention so that it does not break easily. Furthermore, wet strands are heavier, which is intensified when it comes to tying them in such a state. The combination of wet and tied hair results in one of the biggest nightmares associated with hair care: frizz. If the habit becomes routine, there is still the possibility of scalp diseases such as seborrhea and dermatitis also appearing.
Always wait for your hair to dry completely before tying it up. If necessary, use the dryer to speed up the process. In any case, applying a defrizzer is always important to prevent dryness and protect your hair.
2 – Tying your hair too tightly
By tying your hair too tightly, you will be putting such tension on the strand that it will lose its strength until it breaks. Typically, too much pressure on hair follicles can hurt them, and in the worst case, cause them to fall out. Anyone who complains a lot about headaches and has the habit can now stop looking for other reasons for the discomfort, as it is most likely caused by the binding. For those who need their hair to remain firm, use a hairspray instead of weighing down the hairstyle.
3 – Sleeping with your hair tied up
Likewise, sleeping with your hair tied puts even more pressure on it. Therefore, when you move in your sleep, the tension increases. Therefore, sleeping with your hair loose is essential. If you can’t, tie them with a pantyhose elastic, a scarf or just braid them low before going to bed.
4 – Little variation in hairstyle
The chance of breakage increases when you tie your hair frequently in the same way. This occurs because the constant pressure placed on a single region leaves the strands sensitive and weakened. Therefore, changing your look, in addition to offering more opportunities, prevents the health of your hair from worsening.
5 – Using inappropriate accessories
The best elastics or hair bands are those covered in fabric. In the case of piranha clips, always prefer plastic ones. Rubber and metal friction, for example, makes wires break more easily.
A great way to tie your hair without damaging it is to use a pantyhose elastic. Just cut the tip of a piece that you no longer use at the foot, rolling it until it forms a circle. Scarves also work, and silk scarves are even better as they prevent frizz.
So, what did you think of this article about tying your hair? If you’re interested, take the opportunity to check out How to tie your bikini creatively and rock it
Sources: Softhair, Capricho, Catraca Livre
Imagens: Vix, Vix, All Things Hair, All Things Hair, Women’s Health Brasil, Veja SP
