Women told to 'avoid' hairstyles that can cause hair to 'break and fall out'

Middle-aged woman wearing hair in a bun / Woman brushing hair

Updos can damage your hair

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Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 11/09/2024

- 12:10

Two trendy updos can cause damage to your hair

A high ponytail and a low bun are both stylish ways to keep your hair off your face throughout the day.

However, opting for these looks regularly could be causing your hair to break or shed.


This is according to Dr Anil Sharma, who stated lots of factors affect how our hair grows.

Even the seasons can make your hair more likely to fall out, the medical doctor at Sharma Skin & Hair Surgery explained.

Woman wearing ponytail

Tight hairstyle can pull at the hair

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She said: "Winter hair shedding isn’t real, autumn shedding - absolutely. "It typically occurs between September and October, as well as during spring between April and May.

"This shedding occurs due to the sudden change in temperature, which puts stress on the scalp and hair follicles, resulting in an accelerated rate of hair strands falling out.

"In the summer, when the days are longer, more hairs may enter the telogen (resting) stage of the hair cycle and then shed approximately three months later."

Tight hairstyles can be damaging at the best of times but the doctor said it could worsen hair shedding that is already more likely in autumn.

While “slick back buns and ponytails are everywhere these days", the expert said "you want to avoid wearing tightly pulled hairstyles all the time".

Dr Sharma continued: "As we transition into colder months, hair shedding tends to increase as the body works to conserve heat.

"During the summer, our hair grows to protect us from the sun, but as the colder months approach, we may experience hair fall as this protective function is no longer necessary."

Woman tying her hair in a ponytail

Swapping elastic bobbles for claw grips and scrunchies can protect your hair

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To give your hair a helping hand, the expert suggested gentler updos. This could mean a loose ponytail or wearing a scrunchie or claw grip instead of an elastic bobble.

Dr Sharma added: "Avoid tight tension pulling hairstyles [like] slicked back hair looks.

"The constant pulling can cause strands of your hair to break or fall out. Tight hairstyles can cause hair breakage, damage hair follicles, and lead to traction alopecia.”

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