Are hair ties damaging to hair?

Ultimately, hair ties can cause breakage. But it's difficult to avoid pulling back your hair, whether it be for comfort or style. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that you should avoid pulling your hair back tightly in a ponytail, bun, or cornrows to prevent hair damage . They recommend loosely pulling back your hair with covered rubber bands. We recommend using a tie that's designed to be gentle on the hair, like a silk scrunchie.

Which hair ties cause the least damage?

Look for metal-free hair ties so they won't pull or snag your hair. Also pick fabrics like silk or jersey that are known to be gentle on hair. Avoid tying your hair too tightly to minimize breakage and fallout. Finally, look for a hair tie that is plenty stretchy, like the Slip Skinnies .

What is the best hair tie for thin hair?

We like the Pony-O because it helps visually add volume and has a thick design that gives a fuller look at the crown. In general, for thin, fine hair, look for smaller hair ties that don't have a lot of stretch.

The 12 Best Hair Ties of 2023 for Every Hair Type

For many, having a hair tie or two wherever you go is necessary. It’s the easiest and quickest way to pull your hair from your face. But, as convenient as they may be, some, unfortunately, don’t treat your hair well. Certain hair ties can actually damage your strands—by tugging, pulling, and sometimes even harming the cuticle altogether. When searching for the right hair tie, think about your hair type and your lifestyle. Your perfect match should effortlessly hold all your hair without over-stretching or causing breakage.

We conducted hours of research on the best hair ties, evaluating them on materials, number of pieces included, and how gentle they are on hair. After considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated choices.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Scünci No-Damage Elastics at Amazon

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Best Value:

eBoot 100-Pc Elastic Hair Ties at Amazon

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Best Silk:

Slip Skinnies at Nordstrom

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Runner-Up, Best Silk:

Sienna Naturals Silk Scrunchie at Siennanaturals.com

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Best for Workouts:

Invisibobble The Original Traceless Hair Ring at Amazon

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Best Scrunchies:

Goody Ouchless Jersey Scrunchies at Amazon

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Best for Thick Hair:

Burlybands Hair Ties for Thick Hair at Amazon

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Best for Natural Hair:

Bunzee Bands Headbands at Amazon

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Best for Thin Hair:

Pony-O Pony-O at Ponyo.com

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Best for Wet Hair:

Kitsch Microfiber Towel Scrunchies at Amazon

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4.8

$ScÃ¼nci No-Damage Elastics$

Amazon

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What We Like

Affordable
Tug-free
Gentle fabric

What We Don't Like

Can break easily

Everything about this hair tie screams no fuss. With a strong elastic and gentle fabric, this hair tie is a great go-to for your everyday, especially for thick hair. Byrdie Editorial Director Jessica Mahgerefteh loves these, and can always be spotted with one in her hair or on her wrist. They're comfortable (no tugging) and budget-friendly, and the solid black color is an easy match for all outfits.

Price at time of publish: $4

Material: Nylon, elastic | Number of Pieces: 36

Amazon

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What We Like

Tug-free
Affordable
Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

May be too stretchy for thinner hair

With a hundred hair ties, you can rest easy knowing that if you lose one, you’ve got backup. And there’s no metal, so it won’t tangle or pull your hair. While it’s stretchy—which is great for thick or curly hair—it still provides enough tension for a no-budge ponytail.

Price at time of publish: $6

Material: Elastic | Number of Pieces: 100

Nordstrom

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What We Like

Gentle fabric
Doesn't leave creases
Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

Can stretch out easily

Not only are these hair ties super chic, but they’re also super gentle on your hair because they're made of silk. From the brand best-known for its luxe silk pillowcases, these hair ties are just as noteworthy. The soft material doesn’t leave any creases, and we even found that they’re comfortable to sleep in—so accidental naps are encouraged. They're a particularly great choice for thin, fine hair types.

Price at time of publish: $39

Material: Slipsilk, elastic | Number of Pieces: 6

Sienna Naturals

View On Siennanaturals.com

What We Like

Chic
Very stretchy
Gentle on hair

What We Don't Like

Not for tight styles

This two-pack of silk scrunchies comes in two gorgeous green shades and holds hair gently without crimping or leaving dents. Made from mulberry silk, these scrunchies are super stretchy and large, so they're ideal for long, thick hair. They're also comfortable enough to sleep in if you like to keep your hair tied back while you rest.

Price at time of publish: $24

Material: Mulberry silk | Number of Pieces: 2

Invisibobble The Original Traceless Hair Ring

Amazon

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What We Like

Strong hold
Doesn't leave creases
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Can stretch out quickly

Exercising is already tough—and the last thing you want to do during a sweat sesh is redo your ponytail. Enter: the invisibobble. This oddly shaped hair tie delivers a strong hold and stays put, no matter the yoga pose. The best part? The spiral shape prevents creases from forming in your hair, so you can head straight to work or to date night.

Price at time of publish: $5

Material: Plastic | Number of Pieces: 3

Amazon

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What We Like

Tug-free
Comes in various colors
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Not very stretchy

The scrunchie is back—and it’s just as good, if not better than before. Back in the 90s, this coveted hair tie was more of a fashion statement than anything, but these days we love it for its no-snag and no-damage benefits, preventing even long hair from tangling. It’s available in a pack of multicolor or standard black.

Price at time of publish: $5

Material: Cotton, elastic | Number of Pieces: 8

Amazon

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What We Like

Durable
Seamless design
Keeps hair in place

What We Don't Like

Can leave a crease

Breaking a hair tie or three is a rite of passage for those with thicker hair—but not anymore. With this extra thick and extra-long hair tie, you can comfortably keep all your hair in place. And while it’s seamless, it also keeps its elasticity, which means you can keep using it over and over with the same great results.

Price at time of publish: $11

Material: Elastic | Number of Pieces: 3

Amazon

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What We Like

Adjustable
Works for various styles
Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

Can get tangled in the hair

What’s great about this hairband is that it’s adjustable and allows you to control the tension. Because of this, you can get creative with your styles—whether that’s a ponytail, bun, or puff.

Price at time of publish: $18

Material: Elastic | Number of Pieces: 2

When fitting around your hair, try to keep the bead away from the scalp to prevent snagging.

Pony-O

View On Ponyo.com

What We Like

Keeps hair in place
Adds volume
Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

Might be more difficult to use for those with longer hair

Traditional hair ties typically do one thing: keep your hair in one place. This one, however, does that and adds volume. It’s great at giving you a lift, and visually thickening the area for a more substantial ponytail. Plus, it’s super easy to use—simply slide your hair through, flatten, then bend each side down.

Price at time of publish: $10

Material: N/A | Number of Pieces: 1

4.2

Amazon

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Kitsch Microfiber Towel Scrunchies Review

What We Like

Gentle fabric
Keeps wet hair contained
Helps dry hair

What We Don't Like

Fabric stays damp

Here’s one thing you didn’t know you needed until now: towel scrunchies. These microfiber hair ties soak up all the wetness from your hair and help speed up the drying process. You can completely forego sleeping with your hair wrapped in a towel—yes, some of us do this—by just wrapping up your hair into a high bun with this guy.

Price at time of publish: $13

Material: Microfiber | Number of Pieces: 2

kitsch towel scrunchies — Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Keeps hair in place
Doesn't leave creases
Tug-free

What We Don't Like

Not very stretchy

Comfortable to wear in your hair and on your wrist, this ribbon-style hair tie keeps your hair in place without giving it the ponytail crease. Because it’s flat and soft, it lays seamlessly on your hair and doesn’t snag on your strands.

Price at time of publish: $7

Material: Spandex, nylon | Number of Pieces: 5

Swirly Curly

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What We Like

Holds very thick, long hair
Adjustable
Lifetime warranty included

What We Don't Like

Not a large pack

A unique option that snaps on and off, these tension-free hair ties were designed for natural hair and work perfectly for thick, coarse, and curly hair. You can also snap two together, making them an adjustable, gentle way to tie up your hair into different styles. Pick from a 5-, 10-, 15-, or 20-pack of black or brown ties. Though they are a bit pricey, the company offers discounts depending on pack size. These hair ties are also machine-washable, giving you lots of mileage out of them.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Spandex, nylon | Number of Pieces: 5, 10, 15, 20

Final Verdict

The top spot on our list goes to Scünci No-Damage Elastics, a staple option that's affordable and gentle on hair. Yet, it provides enough tension to hold up a variety of hairstyles and keep them in place all day. If you're shopping on a budget, eBoot 100-Pc Elastic Hair Ties come in a huge pack and are a great value product that works for several hair types. They're stretchy and won't tug on hair.

What to Look For in Hair Ties

Style

When you think of hair ties, you might picture the classic elastic style, but there are many others. Scrunchies, hair rings like the Invisibobble The Original Traceless Hair Ring, and headbands all function as hair ties as well. You'll also want to consider whether you want a thin or thick hair tie, as they come in all shapes and sizes.

Materials

There are hair ties made of nylon, elastic, silk, cotton, microfiber, and spandex—or some combination of these materials. Each has different properties. Microfiber, for instance, is great for wet hair and reduces drying time. Elastic, on the other hand, is great if you’re looking for a hair tie that can keep each strand of hair in place. Consider what you’re looking for in a hair tie in terms of function and comfort when exploring the materials available.

Stretchiness

All hair ties have a different level of stretch. If you have thick hair, then selecting a hair tie with a lot of give will be important. And if you have thin hair, stretchiness might be an added problem rather than a bonus. On top of that, some hair ties won’t change in shape or size after use. Others will noticeably stretch with every use and can become too loose for your hair. Pay attention to what brands say about their hair tie’s stretchiness to make sure it will work for your hair type.

Creasing

After having a ponytail in for hours, you might find a large crease from your hair tie when you take it down. However, some hair ties have a “creaseless” design, like Swirly Curly Hair The Original Snappee Hair Tie. Scrunchies are also a good option, like Sienna Naturals Silk Scrunchie. With unique designs, these typically pricier hair ties are ideal if you’re someone who likes to switch up your hair throughout the day. Of course, if you aren’t bothered by some creases here and there, you can probably go with a more basic hair tie.

FAQ

Are hair ties damaging to hair?

Ultimately, hair ties can cause breakage. But it's difficult to avoid pulling back your hair, whether it be for comfort or style. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that you should avoid pulling your hair back tightly in a ponytail, bun, or cornrows to prevent hair damage. They recommend loosely pulling back your hair with covered rubber bands.We recommend using a tie that's designed to be gentle on the hair, like a silk scrunchie.
Which hair ties cause the least damage?

Look for metal-free hair ties so they won't pull or snag your hair. Also pick fabrics like silk or jersey that are known to be gentle on hair. Avoid tying your hair too tightly to minimize breakage and fallout. Finally, look for a hair tie that is plenty stretchy, like the Slip Skinnies.
What is the best hair tie for thin hair?

We like the Pony-O because it helps visually add volume and has a thick design that gives a fuller look at the crown. In general, for thin, fine hair, look for smaller hair ties that don't have a lot of stretch.

The 11 Best Hair Towels of 2023

Article Sources

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