Hairstylists warn: tight, sleek ponytail can contribute to hair loss

Sleek, tightly pulled-back hairstyles have become a popular fashion trend in recent years, but hair specialists warn that wearing them too often can damage hair and contribute to hair loss. According to the US outlet New York Post, the concern is a tight ponytail or bun in which hair is stretched back as far as possible and fixed in place with styling products.

What traction alopecia is

Hairstylist Tina Mooi explains that the main risk is traction alopecia: hair loss caused by prolonged, repeated tension on the hair follicles. It most often affects the hairline and temples, where the hair is most vulnerable. This kind of hair loss does not happen at once, but develops gradually when very tight styles are worn regularly over a long time.

Mooi stresses that sleek, pulled-back styles are rarely the only or main cause of hair loss. In recent years she has seen more cases of hair loss among women of various ages. The most common causes are hormonal imbalance or nutrient deficiency. The hair growth cycle can also be disrupted by stress, illness, weight loss while taking GLP-1 medications, changes in medication and chronic lack of sleep.

How to reduce the risk

Certified medical assistant Shane Reinford advises not pulling a sleek ponytail too tight and not leaving it in for long. Attention should be paid to how the scalp feels: if the style causes pain, tingling or irritation, the hair should be let down immediately. Dermatologists recommend avoiding frequent wear of styles that stretch the hair strongly, choosing a looser ponytail or bun, and changing hairstyles regularly so the hair can rest.

The first warning signs are short, broken hairs near the forehead, a receding hairline or thinner hair at the temples. If follicles have been strained for a long time, early damage can still be reversed, but advanced traction alopecia can also lead to permanent hair loss.