Tying up hair is a go-to hairstyle for most women when they need to get their hair off their face and neck. It is a convenient and easy way to manage hair; however, constantly tying hair up can lead to damage that is difficult to reverse. If you tie your hair up frequently, you may experience hair breakage, split ends, and weakened hair roots. Fortunately, there are several ways to tie up hair without causing damage. In this article, we will explore some quick tips and tricks that work best for different hair types.
Understanding Hair Damage
Before we dive into the tips and tricks, it is essential to understand the causes of hair damage that result from tying up your hair. Hair damage occurs when hair fibers break or weaken. Constantly tying your hair up can result in hair breakage, split ends, and weakened hair roots. Tight hairstyles cause tension on the hair fibers, resulting in hair damage. Wearing tight hair elastics, hairpins, or hairclips can also cause hair damage. Therefore, it is crucial to choose hairstyles that do not create tension on the hair fibers and the hair accessories that are easy on hair.
Tips for Tying Up Hair without Damage
1. Use Hair-Friendly Elastics
Choosing the right hair elastics is the first step in tying up hair without causing damage. Hair-friendly elastics have a higher elasticity level and no metal parts that can rip hair fibers. Elastic made of soft materials like cloth or silk is gentle on hair fibers and reduces hair breakage. Moreover, these types of elastics are available in various colors, making them an attractive addition to your hairstyle.
2. Keep Hair Clean and Moisturized
Clean and moisturized hair is less prone to breakage and split ends. Ensure that you wash your hair regularly to remove any dirt or buildup that can make your hair greasy or itchy. Use a conditioner after shampooing your hair to retain moisture, reduce hair tangles and increase hair resilience. Avoid stretching your hair follicles when washing your hair; instead, massage your scalp gently to enhance blood circulation and promote healthy hair growth.
3. Avoid Wearing Tight and Repetitive Hairstyles
Repetitive friction on hair fibers can cause hair damage. Avoid wearing your hair in the same hairstyle daily. Change your hairstyle regularly to reduce the likelihood of hair breakage and split ends. Also, avoid tight hairstyles or putting too much tension on the hair when tying it up. Opt for looser hairstyles that allow your hair to breathe, like a messy bun or loose braid. Using hair accessories like hair clips and hairpins can also cause breakage; therefore, choose hair accessories with soft edges that do not put unnecessary pressure on hair fibers.
4. Apply Heat Protection Products
When using heat styling tools like hair straighteners or hairdryers, apply heat protection products to your hair to reduce the risk of hair damage. Heat protection sprays form a protective barrier around hair fibers, preventing excessive heat from reaching hair fibers and causing damage. The use of heat styling tools should also be limited to prevent hair damage. If possible, air-dry your hair instead of using a hairdryer.
5. Do Not Tie Your Hair Too Tight
Tying your hair up too tight can cause tension on the hair follicles, leading to hair breakage and hair loss. If you tie your hair up too tight, you may experience a headache or have a sore scalp. To avoid this, tie your hair up loosely to reduce pressure on hair fibers. Moreover, wearing different hairstyles from time to time also allows your scalp to rest and helps reduce hair damage.
The Bottom Line
Tying hair up is a perfect way of managing hair; however, it should be done right to avoid causing hair damage. By following the above tips, you can tie up your hair without causing harm. Above all, it is essential to maintain healthy hair practices such as regular washing of hair, moisturizing, and avoiding excessive use of heat styling tools. If you are struggling with hair damage, consider seeing a hairstylist for further advice and treatment.
FAQs
- How tight should you tie up your hair?
- You should tie your hair up loosely to reduce the tension on hair fibers, avoid hair breakage, and hair loss.
- What is the best hair elastic for tying hair up?
- Soft hair elastics made of cloth or silk are the best because they are gentle on hair fibers and do not cause hair breakage.
- What can you do to prevent hair damage from tying hair up?
- You can prevent hair damage from tying hair up by opting for loose hairstyles that create less tension on hair fibers, avoid wearing tight hairstyles, maintain healthy hair practices and invest in hair accessories with soft edges.
- Can tying hair up lead to hair loss?
- Constantly tying hair up in tight hairstyles can lead to tension on hair follicles, resulting in hair damage and hair loss.
References
- Healthy hair tips for women. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/beauty/healthy-hair-tips-for-women
- Top 10 tips for healthy hair. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/top-10-tips-for-healthy-hair/
- How to tie hair without damaging it. (2020, October 30). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-tie-hair-without-damaging-it