Scrunchies vs. Elastic Hair Ties: Which One Is Higher?

Easy equipment can spark fierce debates—flats versus heels, silver versus gold, and, after all, scrunchies versus elastic hair ties. Some individuals choose to lock their hair with smooth, statement-making scrunchies, whereas others flip to hair ties to carry their ponytails tight. However which one reigns supreme? When it comes to your hair well being, there’s just one clear winner, in line with hairstylists. Maintain studying to seek out out extra.

What Is a Hair Tie?

“Hair ties” is the colloquial time period for the thread-wrapped rubber bands. These helpful equipment are constructed from elasticized rubber (and typically steel), are available in numerous colours, and supply a safe, discrete method to tie up your hair. 

Whereas these ties are nice for holding types in place, they don’t seem to be so nice on your precise hair, as they’re identified to tear out strands and trigger breakage. To attenuate the injury as a lot as doable, Emtage says to search for metal-free bands and contemplate the thickness of your hair when selecting a measurement (thinner bands for finer hair and thicker ones for thicker textures). “Additionally, attempt to keep away from tying your hair too tightly with elastics to reduce stress in your hair and scalp,” she says, including that it’s best to by no means go to mattress with an elastic as a result of it could actually injury your hair when you sleep.

Even if you happen to’ve bought the very best merchandise and practices in your arsenal, Emtage nonetheless recommends reserving elastic bands just for instances when scrunchies will not do the trick. “Go for an elastic hair tie once you want a safe, tight maintain, like throughout train, or for extra formal, polished hairstyles the place you don’t need the hair tie to be seen,” she says. 

What Is a Scrunchie?

Consider a scrunchie as a hair tie’s gentler and extra extravagant cousin. “Scrunchies are constructed from smooth cloth and maintain the hair in place much less securely than elastics,” Cottin explains. 

Whereas the “much less safe” maintain of a scrunchie could also be annoying when it comes to styling, it is a complete lot higher for the well being of your hair. “Scrunchies are typically higher for hair well being as they put much less direct stress and friction on the identical space of hair, due to this fact leading to much less injury or breakage,” Cottin provides. 

Higher but, scrunchies can double as playful equipment. “They add a pop of coloration or texture to your hair,” Emtage says. There are such a lot of varieties of scrunchies that incorporate traditional bows or different decorations that may improve an updo or perhaps a easy pony,” Cottin provides.

How you can Select Which Is Greatest for Your Hair 

Take into account Your Hair Well being

When selecting between a scrunchie and a hair tie, the present situation of your hair ought to play a job. As Cottin factors out, “The much less you utilize elastic ties, the higher on your hair well being.” If in case you have effective, broken hair liable to breakage, attempt to keep away from hair bands as a lot as doable. 

“Elastic hair ties can typically be too tight and trigger hair to snap, particularly if they’ve a steel connector,” provides Emtage. Scrunchies are typically higher for hair well being as a result of they’re much less prone to trigger breakage. The material protecting supplies a buffer that reduces friction and stress, which is particularly necessary when you have effective, curly, or broken hair.”

Suppose About Your Desired Coiffure

The largest distinction between elastics and scrunchies is their maintain stage, however each lend themselves properly to sure types. “Scrunchies are nice for looser, extra relaxed hairstyles like messy buns and ponytails, and even work properly as a cute wrist accent. They add quantity and generally is a fashionable assertion piece,” Emtage says. “Elastic hair ties are higher for modern, tight types the place you want a agency maintain, like a excessive ponytail, braids, or when you’ll want to preserve your hair out of your face throughout exercises.”

Think about Your Each day Actions

Although elastics are usually the much less fascinating selection, there are particular conditions after they win out over scrunchies. “They’re wonderful throughout sports activities or every other strenuous actions when you’ll want to preserve your hair off your face,” Cottin says. Attempt to persist with a scrunchie in all different conditions (particularly once you’re sleeping).

The Remaining Takeaway

Elastic hair ties and scrunchies are the commonest styling equipment—all of us seemingly have a plethora of each in our bogs. Nonetheless, there are key variations between the 2. Elastic hair ties present a tighter, safer maintain due to their rubber band design. Scrunchies, alternatively, are made with smooth materials and delicate elastics, making them much less prone to pull hair and trigger breakage.

In the end, hairstylists agree that scrunchies are the higher selection for sustaining hair well being, however there’s nonetheless a spot for elastic hair ties in your routine. “Every has its styling strengths,” says Emtage. “It is at all times good to modify issues up.”