‘I’m a hair care expert and a popular style could be making you bald’

For the last couple of years, there has been one hairstyle that has taken the world by storm. Everyone and their mum has been wearing it, and its popularity shows little sign of slowing.

However, according to hair care experts, this wildly popular style could be causing major damage to your hair follicles. The slick back bun that is so beloved could actually be making people go bald. According to certified trichologist and hair care expert Abbey Yung, the slick back can cause hair loss and breakage.

In a video posted to TikTok, Abbey shared her favourite alternative to the slick back bun which uses a claw clip rather than an elastic band. Rather than smoothing all her hair back and tying it tight, she gathers it in a looser bun and then secures the tail with a claw clip.

While this doesn’t give the exact same look as a slick back, it looks similarly professional and is just as easy to create.

Plus it could save you a lot of hassle in the future. According to experts at UK Hair Transplants, it’s not actually the bun itself that is the issue, but the constant pulling at your hair.

Tight hairstyles that pull hair back in the same direction every day can cause traction alopecia, which they describe as “hair loss due to tension from hairstyles”.

This pulling often affects some hairs more than others, causing bald patches. The good news is it can improve if you stop the tension early. But if the pulling continues long-term, it can damage hair follicles and lead to permanent hair loss.

Any tight braid, bun or pony tail can cause traction alopecia if you wear it daily. It’s a good idea to change up how you style your hair by using looser ties, or switching where you tie it. By avoiding keeping pressure on one spot of your head, you can give your scalp a break and reduce your risk of traction alopecia.

If you are mindful about how you’re treating your hair, and make a couple of small changes to the way you’re styling it then you can save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run.