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Do Headbands Cause Hair Loss?

by Gabbi
Woman Wearing Headband

Headbands can be super convenient for creating a cute and functional look. They keep your hair out of your face when you’re exercising, sleeping, or existing in general throughout your busy day. Headbands can also be the solution to a bad hair day when you just can’t get your hair to do anything you want.

We know headbands can be your hair’s best friend, but is it possible it could also be its worst enemy? If you are a diehard headband fan, and you start noticing more strands on your pillow than normal, or maybe when you’re rinsing your hair out in the shower, then it might be time to consider if your favorite accessory is the culprit. 

So, do headbands cause hair loss? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Headbands can lead to hair loss when they are worn too often. This is known as traction alopecia, and is less caused by the hairband itself, and more caused by the tight pulling of the hair and its follicles.

So you don’t have to get rid of your favorite tie-dye hairband just yet, and if you keep reading, we’ll tell you all about how you can stop this from happening while maintaining your favorite styles. 

What Is Traction Alopecia? 

In simple terms, traction alopecia is when hair loss occurs from tension being placed on the hair, whether that be from wearing your hair in a super tight pony tail, or from constantly pulling it back with a headband or any other product that pulls on your hair.

The constant tensions can cause the hair to fall out and makes it hard for hair to regrow in the areas it’s being tugged at the most. Headbands, in particular, tend to pull around parts of the hairline, which is where a lot of traction alopecia can be seen.

The good news is that it can be managed and even reversed by understanding what’s causing it before it’s too advanced. You’ll want to start the healing process by putting away the headbands and hair ties for now. 

Different Types Of Headbands

If you were to look online for a headband right now, you’d be overloaded with options. There are soft headbands, hard headbands, headbands with toothed combs to grip your hair, and a hundred other styles.

But when you’re having trouble with hair loss, you have to look a little closer than just the appearance. Having hair loss caused by headband use doesn’t have to mean never using a headband again, although you may want to discontinue use for a few weeks while you find the right headband for you. 

Hard toothed headbands that you push into your hair should probably go in the “no pile.” The toothed comb of the headband can dig into your scalp and as you use the teeth to pull your hair back, it causes too much tension.

Plastic headbands are also a no-go since the plastic is not only damaging for your hair, but it can stunt your follicle growth at the root. A soft cotton headband (we love these ones on Amazon) is one of the best options if you need to wear a headband, and luckily there are thousands of cute options out there.  

Alternatives To Headbands

We know the struggle of a bad hair day, or even just being in a rush but wanting to maintain a cute vibe, so we thought we’d help give you some different styles to try while you’re letting your hair heal. Bandanas (check out these chic styles on Amazon) are an amazing alternative to headbands.

They are cute and easily styled with any outfit, and the cotton material and tie-under method puts way less tension on your roots.

You just flip your hair upside-down, have your folded bandana ready to tie at the base of your neck, and then flip back up and ta-da! Effortlessly chic and ready to go. A loose braid is also a good substitute for putting your hair in a too-tight bun. 

How To Wear Your Headband

Sometimes, you just can’t ditch what works for you, and that’s okay! We’ll help you figure out how to make your style work for you and not against you. Like we mentioned earlier, soft cotton headbands are going to do the least amount of damage.

You’ll want to look for the circular stretchy cotton headband that you can slide over your head. They don’t all have to look the same, and the style can change, but make sure you find a style that doesn’t pull on your hair too much. 

If you need visual ideas, here are 5 ways to wear a headband from Olivia Ahnen on YouTube.

How Often To Wear Headbands

If you’ve found a headband that works for you, you might be wondering how often you can wear it. If it’s not too tight and there’s little tension, you still might want to reserve it for a few days out of the week. If your hair is still growing back, then space out your headband use as much as you can while you let your hair heal.

Sleeping In Headbands

We definitely know how nice a headband is for that nightly beauty routine, but make sure you’re taking it off before you go to bed. If you want to keep your hair back while you’re sleeping, a loose braid with a soft tie is the way to go.

You toss and turn in your sleep, so letting your hair move freely with you helps reduce tension. Investing in a silk or satin pillow case may also help with split ends! 

Re-Growing Hair After Traction Alopecia 

Like always, before trying any new supplements or introducing things you are unsure of, always consult with your doctor first. Here are just a few ways you can help regrow your hair after experiencing traction alopecia from a headband or hair tie:

  • Taking a biotin supplement is great for strengthening nails and hair. 
  • Purchase and use a scalp massager, particularly in the shower. 
  • Rosemary water has been said to work wonders when sprayed or applied to the scalp. 
  • Olaplex and Bondi Boost are great products for restoring hair health.
  • Let your hair rest when you sleep, leaving it down.
  • Avoid heat styling. 
  • If you’re styling with a hair dryer, you can use heat protectant like this one from Redken and low heat. 

These are just a few of the many ways you can help give your hair a head-start on being back to its healthy, luscious self.

You don’t have to give up headbands and hair ties for good, since it’s really just the tensions that’s an issue. Just limit the amount of time your hair spends being pulled back or tightly compressed! 

Overall Thoughts On Headbands And Hair Loss

While it seems like the headbands and hair ties are the bad guys, they aren’t. The headband just acts as a path into the real issue of too much tension on your roots.

We are still headband fans, and you can be too, just be more aware of how often you wear this accessory and make sure you keep it loose enough that your roots don’t feel like they’re being pulled!

You can always branch out and use different accessories to complete your look and explore the different ways your hair can be styled without damage! Remember, no matter what your hair looks like, you can do anything you set your mind to. 

Related Questions

How do I style without a bandana? 

Earlier we mentioned using bandanas as a fun way to have a similar and simple look without the same tension that headbands can cause. If you’ve never worn a bandana before, we thought we’d include a fun video from lavenderlemonade on YouTube on how to tie just one of the many possible styles.

Do hats also cause hair loss?

So it’s not the headband, hair tie, or hat itself that is causing hair loss. But in general, it’s usually the tension put on the roots and hair follicles of your hair that’s the real culprit. If you wear a hat 24/7, the tension and friction can lead to hair loss. 

How do I cover up my hair loss?

This would be a great question for your stylist! There are a million different ways to cover up hair loss.

You can style your hair in certain ways to cover it up, you can explore styles that may make it less obvious, and some stylist are even able to cut the hair to shape around hair loss you are experiencing. We know it can be hard, but you are stunning either way!

Can I still wear headbands while re-growing my hair?

Yes, you can still wear headbands. Make sure it’s a loose and stretchy headband that is not pulling on the roots of your hair. Try not to tie your hair up and also wear the headband. Explore different styles of headbands and make sure to avoid ones we have listed above. 

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