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What is better for the hair?
Brushing hair back and then tying hair with a pony band
or
Retaining parting (in my case, pretty much straight down the middle) and pulling hair back and tying
I've always pulled my hair to the sides and kept my middle parting when wearing a ponytail, but I've noticed the vast majority of people I walk past in the streets brush their hair back and then affix and pony band. I think the latter looks better. I'm asking because I've had the same parting, changing slightly on occasion for so long, and I'm concerned about traction alopecia. I'm thinking of "training" my hair to part more to the side. The main reason I don't brush back my hair is that it is a pain to have to comb out my natural part, and then part it once more when I want to release my ponytail.
Any thoughts, comments or suggestions?
Many thanks,
Tom
When my hair was longer i often combed all my hair straight back with the help of some gel or pomade and then tied it in a ponytail, it seemd to hold better that way instead of first parting then tailing, although you shouln't tie it too tight as that can cause traction alopecia, or so i've heard anyway.
And if you tie it back, be sure to use the ties without the small metal band in it, as they can break your hair.
I always have to part my hair when wet, that way my hair will learn how to lay down.
Simon
Yeah, I know what you mean, although you needn't worry about traction alopecia because of which way you decide to make a ponytail--unless your hair is still a bit short in reaching the tail, in which case you should hold off on tails altogether, or should at least keep your bangs behind your ears while tailing the rest.
About the brushing back thing--I part my hair too, and i usually leave it like that for a ponytail. But if I ever want it to go straight back, I've found an easy way to do it that involves no brushing or combing (which is good, since brushing too hard is damaging to your hair). What I do is take all my hair and gather it up on top my head, as though I'm going to tie a ponytail on the top of my head. By this point, I can't see the center part anymore because the hair is covering it. I then just bring the hair I'm holding down to my neck and tie it off where I want to. Afterwards, I smooth the top with water and/or gel.
Hope that wasn't too confusing, lol.
Peace
Tom - I don't think either method is better or worse - the important thing is not to FORCE your hair - don't force a comb or a brush thru tangles, don't aggressively brush out your hair, don't force your hair into a too-tight tail, etc. That is what causes damage.
Pulling your hair back into a tail with or without a part is just a style preference - whatever you want to do, go with it, just BE GENTLE!