Do buns damage hair? Your work-from-home 'do is damaging your hair (2024)

Sorry folks, your work-from-home hair needs to change. Let me explain.

While I like my hair flowing free when I'm out and about, the second I get home, my hair is instantly whipped into a weird and unintentionally messy bun where it stays until I go to sleep. I know I'm not alone here. Pulling your hair off your face and neck after a long day is a total and utter relief.

But the home-time bun has evolved. With so many of us Australians living in lockdown - Sydney, Melbourne, parts of Queensland and the ACT on last count - many of us are working from home, wining and dining at home and everything else in between. As such, I know many of you having been living with your hair permanently up in a bun or a flipped ponytail. The work-from-home bun I call it. And unfortunately it's probably doing your hair some damage.

How buns and ponytails damage hair

Pulled back hairstyles put tension on the hair - especially if they're tight. Ponytails and buns can cause stress to your hair follicles and can lead to hairs falling out. And while we all need to put our hair in a bun from time to time, adopting this style on a full time basis can cause consistent hair fall. And then there's the placement of your hair tie. The same style will often see your hair tie placed in the same spot, causing a weakening of the hair in that particular area, which in turn leads to breakage.

So, as tempting and easy as it is to wake up and sweep your locks into messy pile that keeps it out of your face and leave it there for the whole day, it's not doing your hair health any favours.

How to wear your hair instead

Of course, this doesn't mean you have to live with your hair out like a heathen. There are always a few solves. Try mixing up your hairstyle. Yesterday I wore a low loose ponytail and today, I have a loose plait, both of which put far less tension on the hair. Sweeping your hair into a twist with a banana clip or just using bobby pins to the front sections out of your face can work too.

If you have decided that it's a bun day, try using a silk scrunchie which puts far less tension on your strands than regular hair ties. I use Frenchie Wear. Also, making sure your hair has some slip and increased elasticity will also help. Using a hair oil like Moroccanoil is great here. Just make sure you're letting your hair down when it's time to sleep - and swapping to a silk pillowcase helps too.

Your hair will thank you.

Do buns damage hair? Your work-from-home 'do is damaging your hair (2024)

FAQs

Do buns damage hair? Your work-from-home 'do is damaging your hair? ›

'While wearing your hair in a tight bun or ponytail every once in a while won't cause any long-term damage, repeatedly wearing it in this style can damage your hair follicles over time. 'Tight buns and ponytails can often pull on the hair directly from the root, causing the follicle to become damaged, and then scarred.

Can buns damage your hair? ›

Ans: Hair buns do not directly cause permanent hair loss. However, if tight buns are worn consistently over an extended period and put excessive strain on the hair follicles, they can lead to permanent hair loss.

How to do a bun without damaging your hair? ›

1. Use a silk or satin scrunchie or hair tie instead of a rubber band to avoid breakage and damage to the hair. 2. Avoid pulling the hair too tightly when creating the bun to prevent stress and tension on the hair follicles.

Are buns healthy for your hair? ›

Hairstyles such as high, tight ponytails and slicked back buns are firstly, very stylish. However, whilst it is fine to wear these styles on the odd occasion, we really don't recommend them as everyday hairstyles if you want healthy hair.

Can wearing your hair in a bun cause hair loss? ›

In time, the continuous pulling can damage your hair follicles. If you damage your hair follicles, your hair cannot grow back, so you develop permanent hair loss. Hairstyles that constantly pull on your hair include: Buns, ponytails, and up-dos that are tightly pulled.

How unhealthy are buns? ›

Buns, mainly white and refined buns, have a high carbohydrate content. Unfortunately, such varieties of buns also have a high glycemic index. Therefore, consuming too many buns can result in a spike in blood sugar levels. In addition, the high calories can make you gain weight if the other ingredients are not healthy.

What is the healthiest hairstyle for your hair? ›

A loose ponytail reduces tension on your hair roots, making it ideal for casual days or when you're at home. It prevents breakage by avoiding excessive pulling.

Is it bad to wear your hair in a bun every day? ›

Pulled back hairstyles put tension on the hair - especially if they're tight. Ponytails and buns can cause stress to your hair follicles and can lead to hairs falling out. And while we all need to put our hair in a bun from time to time, adopting this style on a full time basis can cause consistent hair fall.

Are sock buns bad for your hair? ›

Messy buns

While placing hair in a bun through the day can cause breakage and excessing pulling, wearing it to bed for the promise of no-heat waves is worse.

What is the best hairstyle to prevent hair loss? ›

Braids can be a great option when trying to avoid hair loss. This is mainly because they are low to the head and don't pull on the hair too much. They also often sit on the shoulders, which means they put less weight on the hair follicles. Out of all the hair loss-friendly hairstyles, they are also the most versatile.

What buns are the healthiest? ›

Our Favorite Healthy Hamburger Buns
  • Lettuce Wrap. Of all the low-calorie burger buns, a lettuce wrap is likely to have the least calories. ...
  • Cauliflower Buns. The world has gone crazy over cauliflower! ...
  • Portobello Mushrooms. ...
  • Grilled Pineapple Buns. ...
  • Sweet Potato Buns. ...
  • Zucchini Buns.
Mar 25, 2023

Do hair buns cause split ends? ›

Another factor that is breaking your hair (and causing split-ends) can be your fave ponytails. Tieing your hair using a very tight hair tie or styling your mane in a top knot bun can cause stress to your hair and creates hair breakage. Make sure you let your hair loose once a day, especially when you're sleeping.

At what age should you stop wearing a ponytail? ›

You can wear a ponytail if your hair is short or long, curly or straight if you have bangs or not, with a part or without. Easy and stylish, a ponytail can be worn at any age.

Is it better to sleep with your hair up or down? ›

If you have short hair, sleep with it down since tying it up would cause too much friction and pressure on your scalp. If you have long hair, you're going to want to tie it up to protect your strands, especially the ends, from getting snagged or pulled as you sleep.

How to get thicker hair? ›

These remedies include:
  1. Taking saw palmetto supplements. Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens, is an herbal remedy that comes from the American dwarf palm tree. ...
  2. Taking biotin supplements. Biotin is a B-complex vitamin important in many body processes. ...
  3. Adding seaweed to your diet. ...
  4. Taking an MSM supplement. ...
  5. Getting enough iron.

Do top knots cause hair loss? ›

According to dermatologists, the longstanding traction or pull on your scalp can end up pulling the hair out. It may even result in permanent scarring into something called traction alopecia. These seemingly hipster top-knots and man buns with their extreme tension bring men to permanent hair loss.

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