Is Hair Tinsel Bad for Your Hair? Everything You Need to Know Before Trying It

The popularity of hair tinsel extensions is undeniable. You’ll see these shimmering strands woven into hairstyles while scrolling through Instagram, attending a music festival, or watching red-carpet events. Recently, this trend has gained even more attention after appearing in the Oscar-winning film Anora. Ani, the lead character in the movie, wears pink and purple hair tinsel strands in her brunette hair. This has increased interest in this trend, making it a sought-after accessory for anyone who wants to add sparkle to their style.

While hair tinsel adds shine and personality, you may be left wondering: Is hair tinsel damaging to hair? If you are worried about the potential risks of applying hair tinsel to your hair, this blog will calm your worries. We will let you know how to apply, remove, and maintain hair tinsel to ensure your hair remains healthy while you rock these sparkling strands.

Does hair tinsel damage hair?

This is a common concern for people who have never tried this sparkling trend. This is a legitimate concern, considering how other hair extensions can cause breakage, thinning, or overall damage.

The good news is that hair tinsel is not inherently damaging to hair. However, like many hair accessories, it can cause damage if you apply it incorrectly or if you do not maintain it properly. It can also damage your hair if you do not remove it properly.

Factors that could cause damage

While hair tinsel is not damaging, certain practices may lead to hair issues. They include:

• Improper installation: If you tie the hair tinsel too tightly or use excessive strands in one area, you will strain your hair and increase the risk of breakage and hair damage.
• Improper maintenance: Use conditioning treatments and avoid lots of heat when styling your hair. Too much heat and other harsh styling methods will weaken your hair and make the hair tinsel more prone to breakage.
• Incorrect removal: When removing the hair tinsel, do it carefully, especially if you used microbeads to attach it to your hair. Carelessly pulling the tinsel can cause hair breakage.

How to tie hair tinsel correctly

If you attach the hair tinsel properly to your hair, you will not have to worry about thinning or breakage. There are two primary methods for attaching hair tinsel. They include:

-            Slip-knot method

-            Microbead method

Slip-knot method

1. Use a rat tail comb to section your hair.
2. Take the hair tinsel and fold it in half to create a loop.
3. Slip the loop into a few strands of your hair.
4. Tie the hair tinsel into a slip knot to secure it to your hair.

The slip-knot method is gentle and does not require glue or heat. This allows the hair tinsel to move naturally with your hair, reducing the risk of damage. With proper care, the slip-knot method can last 2 to 5 weeks.

Microbead method

1. Section your hair using a rat tail comb.
2. Use a crotchet tool to pass hair tinsel and a few strands of your hair through a silicone microbead.
3. Take a pair of pliers and clamp the strand of tinsel to your hair.

This method is more secure but can cause slight tension if you place the bead too tightly. You must be careful when tying tinsel to your hair using microbeads to reduce the risk of breakage. Microbead tinsel can last between 4 and 12 weeks.

Both application methods will not damage your hair when applied correctly.

How to maintain hair tinsel without damaging your hair

Proper maintenance is essential to ensure your hair stays healthy while wearing hair tinsel. The following are some necessary hair tinsel care tips:

• Brush gently: Use a soft-bristle brush or wide-tooth comb to brush and detangle your hair. This prevents snagging.
• Avoid harsh products: Avoid hair oils, sprays, or serums with harsh chemicals. These products can weaken the hair tinsel knot. Loose hair tinsel can cause tangling and increase the risk of hair breakage.
• Be careful when washing your hair: Wash your hair gently using lukewarm water. Do not scrub the scalp excessively since this is where the hair tinsel is attached. Excessive scrubbing can cause the tinsel to come off and increase the chances of tangling.
• Protection while sleeping: Tie your hair in a loose braid or use a pillowcase to minimize tangling while you sleep.

How to remove hair tinsel safely

Removing hair tinsel can be tricky, especially if you have had it in for a long time. It is advisable to remove it within a few weeks to ensure it doesn’t damage your hair. Removing requires care to avoid pulling or breaking your hair.

Steps to remove slip-knot hair tinsel

1. Locate the slip-knot: Feel around your scalp to find the knot that ties the tinsel to your hair.
2. Loosen the knot: Gently pull on the hair tinsel strand to release the slip-knot.
3. Slide out the hair tinsel: Carefully slide the hair tinsel out without tugging.

If you are having difficulty locating or removing the hair tinsel, ask for help from someone who can see the knot. If the knot is tied too tightly around your hair strands, they can use scissors to carefully snip the tinsel and remove it from your hair.

Steps to remove microbead hair tinsel

You can remove hair tinsel with pliers to ensure you don’t damage your hair. Follow these steps:

1. Identify the bead: Locate the microbead using your fingers.
2. Use pliers to open the bead: Squeeze the sides of the microbead using pliers to loosen it.
3. Slide the bead and the hair tinsel out: Gently slide the tinsel out without forcing it.

If you are unsure about removing the hair tinsel yourself, visit a professional for safe removal to ensure your hair is not damaged.

Common myths about hair tinsel

Despite its rise in popularity, there are still many myths and misconceptions about hair tinsel. These myths can make you weary of trying this trend. Let’s set the record straight:

Myth 1: Hair tinsel causes hair loss

This is untrue. Hair tinsel does not cause hair loss if applied correctly. Use quality hair tinsel that’s light in weight, and don’t tie the knot too tightly. Be careful when removing hair tinsel, and you will not suffer any breakage or damage.

Myth 2: Hair tinsel melts when heated

Heat-resistant hair tinsels do not melt when styled using hot tools. When buying hair tinsel, check the packaging to see if the hair tinsel has heat-resistant treatment. Also, check for the heat rating on the package. This will let you know how much heat you can apply when styling your hair. To ensure you don’t damage the hair tinsel strands, use a heat protectant spray before using hot tools on your hair. Don’t place the flat iron directly on the not to prevent weakening the attachment.

Myth 3: You can’t wash your hair with hair tinsel in it

This is categorically untrue. You can wash your using your regular shampoo and conditioner. However, do not scrub the roots aggressively to ensure you don’t loosen the knot.

Tips for preventing hair damage when using hair tinsel

The following tips can help you keep your hair healthy while enjoying your tinsel:

• Purchase quality hair tinsel: The quality of the hair tinsel you purchase matters. If the tinsel is made from rough or heavy materials like plastic, it can weigh down your hair and increase the risk of breakage. Hair tinsel with a rough texture can increase the risk of tangling, resulting in breakage. Quality hair tinsel makes it easy to wash, brush, and style your hair without worrying about thinning or breakage.
• Avoid excessive heat: Even if you have heat-resistant hair tinsel extensions, be careful when using heat. Always use a lower setting than what is written on the package. Use heat protectant sprays when curling or straightening your hair to prevent damage to the tinsel or your hair.
• Detangle gently: If you notice any knots or tangles, take a wide-tooth comb or a soft brush and detangle gently from the ends. Slowly work your way up to the roots, but don’t brush near your scalp where the knots are. This minimizes snagging and breakage.
• Wash carefully: Hair tinsel can survive shampoos and conditioners, but not aggressive scrubbing. Scrubbing aggressively near the scalp can loosen the knots. Loose hair tinsel strands increase the risk of tangling.
• Sleep smart: Tie your hair in a loose braid before bed to prevent tangling.

Choosing the right hair tinsel for your hair type

Selecting the right hair tinsel can make a lot of difference in appearance and durability. Furthermore, high-quality hair tinsel will not damage your hair. The following table contains hair tinsel tips to minimize damage for different hair types:

Conclusion

Hair tinsel is one of the safest accessories you can add to your hair. Unlike hair dyes and other methods of adding color to your hair, it is temporary and does not cause any damage. It does not have any chemicals and is easy to maintain. Furthermore, it’s temporary, meaning you can remove it whenever you want to change your style. It is even safe for children who wish to add sparkle and color to their hair. As long as you apply it properly, maintain it, and use the correct removal techniques, you never have to worry about hair tinsel damaging your hair.