The clean girl aesthetic is a medley of simple yet chic hairstyles, makeup, and clothing pieces that, when assembled together, make you look put together. The trend’s popularity has shown no signs of slowing down, and one of the distinguishing hairstyles for the aesthetic is the slicked-back bun.
The issue with sleek style’s rise is it can damage both your hair strands and hairline if done too tightly. Victoria Lynch, founder of Remi Cachet and leading extensionist and hair loss specialist, spoke with The Tease about the rise in tight buns as a hairstyle, traction alopecia, and the steps you might want to take to try and avoid damaging your hair when doing the hairstyle repeatedly.
Keep scrolling for her insights.
The Tease: Please tell me a little about yourself.
Victoria Lynch: I’m the founder of Remi Cachet, a leading hair extension brand built by professionals, for professionals. I’ve been in the hair industry since I was 13 years old and always knew this was the space I wanted to be in — helping women feel good about themselves, especially when it comes to confidence and self-image. Hair loss can be incredibly emotional, and I’ve seen firsthand how transformative a great set of extensions can be not just for volume or length, but for helping someone feel like themselves again.
What are the main causes of hair loss as a result of traction alopecia?
Lynch: Traction alopecia is something I see more and more these days, especially with looks like tight slicked-back buns trending everywhere. It’s caused by repeatedly putting tension on the hair, usually from pulling it too tightly, whether it’s through excessive styling, accessories, or even extensions that aren’t correctly fitted. That tension weakens the hair follicles over time, particularly around the hairline, temples, and nape, and eventually, you start to see thinning in those areas.
What are some things that might exacerbate the issue?
Lynch: Wearing tight styles daily can speed up traction alopecia, especially when paired with heated styling, chemical treatments, or if someone already has thinning hair. It’s like adding stress on top of stress, your hair just can’t recover. Overuse of styling products like gels or sprays can also contribute by causing buildup, which affects scalp health too. While using hair extensions to treat isn’t a suitable solution for everyone, and an in-person consultation with a professional is always a must before fitting, if you’re looking to add extra volume with extensions, Remi Cachet’s patented Elegance Ultra Tips are a great option because they’re gentle, discreet, and designed to place minimal stress on the scalp and natural hair.
How do you feel about tight buns? Do you think they need to be scrapped completely or should they be worn in moderation?
Lynch: I totally get the appeal of the slicked back bun — they’re sleek, they’re easy, and they go with everything. But like anything, moderation is key. Wearing your hair up tightly every once in a while isn’t going to do major harm. It’s when it becomes your everyday go-to that the damage adds up. If you’re doing it regularly, you’re putting pressure on the same areas day in, day out, and over time that can lead to thinning or breakage.
Let’s say I refuse to stop wearing a slicked-back bun regularly. What are some measures I could incorporate in my routine to avoid or, at least, help my hair and scalp through the process?
Lynch: I’d recommend switching up your bun placement — don’t always tie it in the exact same spot every time and perhaps try loosening it slightly, using a product like gentle smoothing cream to create that pulled-back effect. To help take care of your scalp when you’re wearing a certain hairstyle repeatedly, ease up on the heavy gels and sprays — less product means less weight and buildup on the scalp. Give your scalp some love with regular massages to boost circulation and release tension. A good clarifying shampoo is also a must to clean out any lingering residue from styling products.
Do you have any favorite ingredients or products that help receding hairlines and breakage caused by tight hairdos?
Lynch: Using products like a leave-in treatment or overnight conditioner can help nourish the hair, and I’m also a fan of using lightweight scalp serums that stimulate the hair follicles without clogging them. A soft scalp brush that can be used when shampooing the hair stimulates the hair follicles and can encourage new hair growth, and of course, a good heat protectant is a must every time you’re doing any kind of hot styling.
Any advice for people who enjoy having their hair out of their faces but don’t want to deal with damage?
Lynch: There are so many gentle alternatives. Claw clips are great because they hold the hair without pulling. Loose braids or low ponytails with silk scrunchies can also keep your hair back without putting stress on your scalp. Headbands, half-up styles, or even soft waves tucked behind the ears give you that clean, pulled-back vibe but are much kinder to your hair.
Any hairstyles that are not going to cause traction alopecia but are in the same line of the clean-girl aesthetic?
Lynch: A low, relaxed bun with a little smoothing cream can still look really polished. You can also go for soft, tucked-back styles or gentle slick-backs that aren’t tight. It’s the tension that causes issues, not the look itself. It’s totally possible to stay on trend without sacrificing your hairline.
For more from Lynch, be sure to follow her on Instagram.
