Avoid hair damage from elastics!

I'm a little obsessive when it comes to my hair. I'm going for dramatic length, which means it's really important to keep it as healthy as possible. I must have at least 4 or 5 years of growth by now, and I'm trying to get it to my waist. If I do things to damage my hair, that means I will have to cut it more often.

Current hair length, after a haircut a week ago.

One thing I've learned is to be careful about hair ties. I was really proud when I got a trim a week ago. The hair stylist commented that I had really healthy hair (yay!). But then a few minutes later, to my dismay, he asked "You've been putting your hair up in ponytails, haven't you?" He could actually SEE the damage that my hair elastics have been causing. I have been trying to be careful of this, using Scunci no-damage hair ties, and I only do the pony-tail thing a few times a week. But there is STILL damage!

I'm working out a new system to avoid hair-tie damage:
 

Emi-Jay Hair ties.

1. Emi-Jay hair ties - I recently read in a Natural Health magazine article, that these Emi-Jay hair ties are safe for your hair. These are wider, ribbon-like hair ties that are supposed to not cause damage. They are a bit pricy, but I'm giving it a shot.

Messy bun using two hair spirals

2. Wear hair styles that are less damaging. This includes braids, loose pony-tails, and up-dos that don't involve tightly securing your hair with an elastic. French twists and gibson tucks are good if you keep the elastic loose. Of course, leaving your hair down is great too! Low ponytails are better than high, which will place tension on your scalp.

Clips, spirals, Emi-Jay ties, pins

3. Use clips, pins, hair forks, and hair spirals rather than elastics. I love my hair spirals and use them quite often.

Gibson-Tuck with just clips and pins (kinda messy)

4. No "tightening" of ponytails. I did this a lot, and may be a big reason I have damage. Probably best to just take it out, and re-do. It's a habit that I'll need to stop.