We all love ponytails. They're chic, sassy, and versatile. They work just as well at a bar as they do at the gym, and they're perfect in the summer for keeping our hair off our faces and necks.
The bad news is that regularly wearing your hair in a high, tight pony can result in hair damage - and in some extreme cases, permanent hair loss. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks our stylists love and recommend for keeping your ponytail healthy and preventing damage. Read on to find out what they are!
TOP TIP #1 - NEVER TIE YOUR HAIR UP WHEN IT'S WET
Our hair is weakest when wet, so the usual dents and snags that can happen in a dry ponytail can be even worse if the hair is damp. Make sure your hair has dried thoroughly before you tie it up.
TOP TIP #2 - USE A SERUM ON YOUR HAIR BEFORE TYING UP
This will help the tie to glide over hair without pulling or snagging it - and add a healthy dose of shine too! Visit your nearest salon to speak to a stylist about our range of serums. They will be able to recommend the right one for your hair type.
TOP TIP #3 - GIVE YOUR HAIR A BREAK FROM DIFFERENT STYLES
High ponytails are the worst offenders for causing hair breakage and stress, especially if they're pulled tightly. If you need to have your hair up regularly and can't get away with a few 'down days', try to switch between high ponytails and low, loose styles. Half-up styles are also a great way to keep your hair off your face while minimising the strain on your locks.
TOP TIP #4 - WEAR YOUR HAIR DOWN TO SLEEP
To give your scalp some recovery time, our stylists recommend leaving your hair loose when you go to sleep. If you really need to tie it up, try to sleep on silk or satin pillowcases rather than cotton - your hair will glide over the fabric rather than pull as you move in the night.
TOP TIP #5 - USE FABRIC HAIR TIES OR A CLAW CLIP
This is one of the most important tips for a healthy ponytail: throw away your old hair ties! Any bands with metal on them are likely to catch on your hair, while tight elastics leave your hair dented and can snag. Instead, choose hair ties made from fabric as these are soft, stretchy, and kind to your hair.
Alternatively you can use a claw clip. Claw clips are designed to hold hair in place without pulling or straining the strands. They distribute tension evenly, reducing the risk of breakage. Not to mention the number of cute hairstyles you can create with them!
TOP TIP #6 - DON'T PULL THE HAIRLINE TOO TIGHTLY
If you're pulling all of your hair into a pony, try to be careful around your hairline. This is where your hair is the weakest, so a lot of stress here can lead to breakage and even bald patches. Leave the front of your hair looser for a tousled, undone finish.
TOP TIP #7 - BE CAREFUL WHEN TAKING YOUR HAIR DOWN
Tugging the tie out of your hair is the quickest way to cause snapping so instead, take your time to unravel the hair tie and let your hair down gently.
For more hair tips and advice, speak to our experts at your nearest Supercuts salon.
