When the temperature rises, so does our hair. Ponytails, slicked-back buns and polished knots are summer’s chicest form of heat management—keeping lengths off sticky necks while making even the most thrown-together outfit look intentional. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande love a slicked-back ‘do, and Kate Middleton opted for a sporty ponytail at this year’s Wimbledon.
The only catch? Wearing your hair pulled back on repeat, particularly when it’s secured too tightly, can put stress on both strands and scalp, causing that all-too-familiar dull, tight-band headache creeping in by mid-afternoon. From tension headaches and split ends to tension-related hair loss, your sleek summer updo may be doing more damage than you realise. Here, the experts reveal the mistakes worth avoiding—and how to keep your hair up without the pounding head that comes with it.
