7 Hair Accessories That Secretly Damage Your Hair (and What to Use Instead)
Hair accessories are practical, and they can be fun. But not all accessories are created equal. Some can cause tugging, breakage, and even long-term thinning if used often. Here’s a breakdown of the specific hair accessories that we’re not a fan of, and what to use instead.
1. Elastic Bands with Metal Clasps
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Those old-school ponytail holders with metal fasteners are one of the worst offenders. The metal piece snags onto strands, causing breakage every time you take your hair down. | What to use instead: Seamless fabric hair ties, spiral hair ties, or silk scrunchies. These hold hair securely without cutting into it. |
2. Tight Rubber Bands
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Rubber bands may seem convenient, but they grip too tightly, cutting into the hair shaft and leading to snapping and split ends. They also pull at the root, which can thin the hairline over time. |
What to use instead: Ouchless elastic bands or soft coil ties. |
3. Cheap Plastic Headbands
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Hard plastic headbands with sharp seams or teeth can dig into the scalp and cause friction at the hairline. Over time, this weakens the edges and can even contribute to traction alopecia. | What to use instead: Padded or fabric-covered headbands that are gentle on the scalp. |
4. Tight Hair Clips and Claws
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Clips and claws with rough edges or strong tension can clamp too hard on strands, leaving dents and causing hair to snap where pressure is applied. |
What to use instead: Smooth, wide-tooth claws with rounded edges or clips lined with soft material. |
5. Velcro Rollers
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While they may seem harmless, velcro rollers tangle into the hair, pulling and breaking strands when removed. They’re especially damaging to textured or fine hair. |
What to use instead: Foam or ceramic rollers, or flexi rods that can be gently removed without snagging. |
6. Tight Hairbands and Scarves
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Wearing hairbands, turbans, or scarves that are too tight can put constant tension on the edges, leading to thinning around the hairline. Synthetic fabrics can also cause friction and breakage. |
What to use instead: Satin or silk scarves/bands tied loosely to protect your hair without pulling. |
7. Decorative Accessories with Sharp Edges
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Bobby pins, barrettes, or embellished clips with rough edges or cheap glued-on decorations can scratch the scalp and tear through strands. |
What to use instead: High-quality bobby pins with rounded ends or accessories that are smooth and well-finished. |
Click here are 5 hairstyles that are damaging your edges.
Click here for how to prevent hair breakage
Can you fix split ends? Click here to find out
How to Protect Your Hair When Using Accessories
- Rotate styles: Don’t wear your hair in the same ponytail or bun spot every day.
- Loosen up: Accessories don’t need to be super tight to hold. Opt for gentle security.
- Choose quality over quantity: Investing in a few high-quality, hair-safe accessories will save your strands in the long run.
- Silk and satin are your friends: These fabrics reduce friction, protect the cuticle, and help retain moisture.
Do you need a big chop? Click here to find out
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Protecting and strengthening your hair from root to tip. The Formulated Products Bundle includes products formulated to solve scalp and protect your growth. |
Bottom Line
The wrong hair accessories can silently damage your strands, leading to breakage and thinning over time. By making small swaps—choosing silk over rubber, seamless ties over metal clasps—you can keep your hairstyles cute and your hair healthy.
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