When it’s hot outside, all you want to do is get your hair off your neck and out of your face. In fact, it’s tempting just to throw your hair up in a ponytail all summer long! It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s a damage-free style, right? Wrong.
Believe it or not, wearing your hair in a ponytail isn’t as healthy for your hair as you might think. Pulling your hair back in the same spot can thin the hair at the roots, leaving you with limp hair that is more prone to breakage. The tighter the ponytail, the more likely it is to cause hair loss.
Tips for a healthier ponytail:
Try tying your hair back into a low, loose ponytail. This will place less tension on the hair at the scalp, limiting hair loss and damage.
You don’t have to resort low buns and ponytails every day – just switch it up! If you pull it up high one day, let it down the next day and pull it back into a low bun when it gets too hot.
Invest in quality hair ties and clips, and avoid skinny hair ties which can actually break your hair.
Let your hair breathe! If you think it’s too wild to let it go natural in the hot, humid weather, at least let it down while you’re at home. Eight hours in a ponytail is much less damaging than 24!
Treat your hair to an at-home deep-conditioning treatment every two weeks, or once a week if you have dry, brittle hair. Here are a few to try!
photo courtesy Marie Claire
