A hairstyle popularised by Hollywood A-listers is causing women as young as 22 to get bald patches and lose their hair – as experts warn that it could lead to ‘permanent damage’.
The slicked-back bun is often the go-to for Gen Z and millennial women after it gained traction in 2022 when supermodels Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid were seen sporting it.
The bun, which is a key part of the ‘clean girl aesthetic’, involves brushing your hair several times to sweep up every strand before using a gel or pomade to smooth the hair down and twist into a low bun.
To achieve this look, however, the hair must be pulled back so tightly that it can cause balding, experts have now warned.
Celebrity hairdresser James Parr told FEMAIL: ‘Wearing your hair in tight, slicked-back styles too often can put a lot of stress on your roots.
‘Over time, this constant tension may lead to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia – so it’s a good idea to give your scalp a break and wear your hair down from time to time or use a softer scrunchy as opposed to a tight elastic.’
Influencer Saffron Barker, 24, described being ‘upset and scared’ when she found out that she had traction alopecia at the end of 2022 after repeatedly tugging her hair into various tight slicked hairstyles, including the low bun.
She travelled to Los Angeles for an event where she had her tresses styled and put up in a tight bun, which caused her to be in pain.
Influencer Saffron Barker , 24, described being ‘upset and scared’ when she found out that she had traction alopecia at the end of 2022
After wearing her hair in a tight bun, Saffron said she was in pain and then got a bald patch where the bun was
Saffron visited a trichologist who zoomed in and showed her where the hair strands had been damaged
She told her YouTube channel at the time: ‘A couple of months ago when I went to LA, I went and got my hair done and I had a bun in the middle of my head. I had never felt pain like it in my life.
‘I literally cried and cried and I was taking tablets but I had to keep the bun in because I was going to an event and I didn’t have time to re-do my hair.’
Saffron then took her hair out and said she had the ‘worst headache ever’ and said that she saw spots on her head where the bun had sat.
‘When I took my hair out, my head felt like the worst headache ever but nothing really happened,’ she added.
‘Then I had loads of spots on my head and it was super sore and red. A few weeks later when I got home, I noticed there was a big bald patch at the middle of my head.’
She initially thought it was because her hair had been ripped out from the bun, but became increasingly more concerned when her locks weren’t growing back.
The content creator added: ‘I was putting off the appointment [with a trichologist] because I didn’t want to know if I had alopecia and what would happen to my hair. I was so upset and scared to go.’
After seeing a hair doctor, Saffron – from Brighton – was told that it was likely that she had traction alopecia.
This is often caused by tight hairstyles and the continuous strain on the hair follicles pulls out strands of hair and can damage or destroy the follicles, according to charity Alopecia UK.
Dori, from London, said she wore her hair in a slicked back bun for three weeks in a row and noticed that she had a bald patch on her head
Saffron then included pictures of her traction alopecia to raise awareness and give people an insight into her experience of hair loss.
‘I get my hair styled a lot for shoots, events, carpets, Strictly Come Dancing. It means my hair really hasn’t been taken care of,’ she said.
Her trichologist gave her a spray to help induce hair growth, along with heat protectant spray for when she is getting her hair styled.
London based hairdresser Gustav Fouche said that the although slicked-back hairstyles can be a popular choice, it can cause problems with hair over time due to repeated tension.
He said: ‘There are ways to achieve the slicked-back look without putting too much strain on the scalp.
‘For instance, using styling products such as gel, hairspray or a shine serum can help create the illusion of a tighter style without actually pulling the hair too hard. A “wet look” finish can also give the same sleek effect while being much kinder to the hair.
‘Consistently pulling the hair back tightly can lead to permanent damage.’
TikToker Dori, from London, said she wore her hair in a slicked back bun for three weeks in a row and noticed that she had a bald patch on her head.
She wrote: ‘It’s not worth it girls,’ before adding: ‘Back to the density serum I go, if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry.’
April Nelson Sanders, from Utah, also made a TikTok @itsaprilsanders) about her hair falling out and said: ‘Oh my gosh are we seeing my hairline right now?
‘This is my sign not to do any more slick backs and this is the TikTok that is going to hold me accountable because I cannot have this much balding at the age of 22.’
April then captioned her post: ‘I’m in pain. Catch me using my hair serum every day from now on.’
TikToker Hannah expressed her concerns about the slicked back bun showing her hair loss, especially after having a baby.
TikToker Hannah expressed her concerns about the slicked back bun showing her hair loss, especially after having a baby
The slicked back bun is often a go-to choice Gen Z and Millennials and gained traction in 2022 after models Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid popularised the look
‘Fellow slick back lovers, what are we doing about the postpartum hair loss? Because we’re getting a little thin on the old edges. This is my go-to hairstyle and I don’t know what I’m going to do if I get that much thinner.
‘This doesn’t look that bad but it’s hidden. I’ve got a little baldy patch coming along. So what are we doing about that? Please share your tips.’
Olivia Hope Rivera (@oliviahoperivera), from New York City, also posted on the social media platform about the risky hairstyle and said: ‘So we’re not going to talk about how wearing a slicked back bun literally makes you bald?
‘My newest hair fixation has obviously been doing the Hailey Bieber, bad b*** slicked back bun, I’ve been wearing them for two weeks and I have lost hair.
‘I know I have not seen all that forehead before. That’s more forehead than usual.’
She added: ‘Like [has this happened to ]anyone else? I’ve talked to friends [that] this has happened to. Ladies, beware!’
Maria Dowling, founder and creative director of a multi-award-winning salon in Dubai, revealed the first couple of warning signs that you may have traction alopecia.
She said: ‘The first sign of this happening to you is usually broken hairs around your hairline or thinning hair around the temples, which is known as frontal or parietal hair loss. Then, as time goes on, the hairline at the front may also start to recede.
‘To minimise this happening to you, instead of wearing a tight or high ponytail, wear a lower bun or looser ponytail as this will minimise the amount of time your hair follicles are under tension.
‘Also, avoid elasticated hair ties as the friction from these can increase the tension on the roots. If you really love this on-trend style, however, then limit its use to once or twice per week at the very most.’
Some content creators said they are aware that slicked back buns are ruining theirs strands – but simply don’t seem to be bothered by it
She said that if traction alopecia is caught early, it will limit the amount of permanent damage done to the follicles and strands should grow back after six months to a year.
‘Unfortunately, however, if the traction alopecia has progressed to a more severe level, you may require a hair transplant to restore the original hairline and combat the hair loss that has been experienced as a result,’ she said.
But some content creators said they are aware that slicked back buns are ruining theirs strands – but simply don’t seem to be bothered by it.
British online gym coach Beth made a video of herself wearing the popular hairstyle and wrote what others had been saying to her: ‘”You’re going to get a receding hairline having a slick back bun everyday”.’
Beth then captioned her video: ‘Shut up Karen I don’t care.’
Robert Eaton, Creative Director at Russell Eaton Salons and Trichologist, said that slicked back buns can also cause hair follicle infections.
He said: ‘Over time, this tension can distort the natural growth pattern, causing the hair to fall out. Regularly wearing this style may also inflame the follicles, leading to conditions like folliculitis and even infections, both of which can contribute to further hair loss.
‘The hairline is particularly vulnerable because the strands are finer and less resilient than those elsewhere on the scalp, making it more susceptible to progressive thinning.’
Victoria Lynch, hair loss expert and founder of premium human hair extension brand Remi Cachet, added that if the hairstyle is worn repeatedly, it could lead to traction alopecia at the front, sides and nape of the hairline.
