If you do the sink test, you will be well aware of how many broken hairs you get every time you manipulate it. Avoiding daily manipulation then should be your number 1 priority in your efforts to retaining length.
This is where the humble ponytail comes in. With a ‘ponytail regimen’ you can put your combs and brushes away between wash days while still wearing a cute style that shows off the length that you have worked so hard to achieve. Here’s how you do it:
1. Wash and flat iron* or just stretch blow dry at the weekend. Afterwards, I put my combs far away from damaging hands!
2. Wear your hair down for one or two days, finger styling only.
3. Hair goes into a ponytail (not too tight) on the third day. Accessorize with fancy clips.
4. Moisturize and seal the ends nightly with the use of a soft BBB only.
5. Cover with a silk scarf* to bed.
6. Retie the ponytail in the morning which will loosen during the night, you don’t need a comb for this either. A little light brushing of your edges with the soft BBB is permitted.
7. Accessorize!
8. Repeat for the rest of the week!
This regimen is simple but very effective at length retention and there are countless ways that you can style and accessorize a ponytail so that you will never be bored.
I am natural but as you see, most of my ponytails were on blow dried/flat ironed hair but the same regimen will work justs as well on non heat stretched natural hair. Here are some of my pony’s in the last few months.
And if you want even more ideas, this girl is seriously creative with simple ponytails so check out her channel:
Please note, ponytails are more a low manipulation style rather than a protective style. Depending on your length, the hair could still rub against your clothes and if you wear wool or rough cotton often then these fabrics could catch your hair strands and cause breakage.
Jackie Vincent says
Don’t most natural hair websites warn about edge breakage due to wearing ponytails too much?
BlackHairInformation.com says
It really depends on how you are wearing your ponytail. I always wear mine slack.
Denetra Gilmore says
Not only edges thinning but if you keep your pony tail in the same spot you can create a bald spot.
Brittani Michelle says
I used always pull my hair back, especially when I was first transitioning. But it was hard on my edges and hair would break off at the point where the ‘gentle’ ponytail holder toutched my hair. So now I only wear them occaisionally
Carla Richardson says
Ponytails proved extremely damaging to my hair, to the point that the middle section broke off to next to nothing
Adrianna Floyd says
Omg yes…this just happened to me recently so ive been using Castor oil to grow it back…i am so mad at myself
Courtney Kaye says
Ladies, if you connect a rubber to 2 Bobbie pins, wrap them around and tuck the Bobbie pins in you
Will suffer less with breakage;)
Daphney Noel says
It can be damaging because the hair is pulled back so tightly it break your edges. Another thing I see a lot are women putting their hair in a ponytail while still wet. Bacteria grows in moisture areas which causes damage
Natilee Hamilton says
Our hair cannot be compared to other races!!!!
BlackHairInformation.com says
Why-ever not? All hair is made of the same stuff and low manipulation styling is the same regardless what race you are imo.
Shelithia Jackson says
I wear very lose ponytails and my edges are just fine. Also don’t wear it in the exact same place everyday. Move it around a little. Once you are home let it breath.
Pennyatta Roberts says
Cute
Shari Powell says
Won’t the constant snagging on clothes by the exposed hair lead to breakage?
BlackHairInformation.com says
If I wear wool then I won’t pony but when wearing anything else I do and I’ve never had breakage from regular ponytails.
Franni Coffi says
Created a bald spot for me.
Ronnie Harris says
Pretty ponytail beautiful hair
Debra Green says
I think it just depends on an individual’s hair.