An Australian hair colourist and mother, Marlie, has issued an urgent “hairline SOS” warning, imploring women to avoid a widely popular hairstyle that she claims is causing an unprecedented rise in bald spots. Marlie, from Tahmoor, Australia, took to social media, specifically TikTok, to highlight the damaging effects of the 'slick back' look, which includes slick back buns and ponytails.

This viral hairstyle has swept through the fashion world and red carpets alike, with numerous celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Maya Jama, and Molly-Mae Hague frequently showcasing sleek buns often secured with a generous amount of hairspray, gel, or mousse. Despite its trendiness and celebrity endorsement, Marlie’s professional observation points to a significant downside: an alarming increase in tension alopecia, a condition where continuous pulling on the hair causes damage to the follicles, leading to hair loss and thinning around the hairline.

In her “hairline SOS” clip, Marlie sternly advised, “Stop with the slick backs - I am seeing more tension alopecia now than I ever have in my entire career. If you are tying your hair up [in a slick back style] every single day, you are going to pull the hair out from around your hairline. It's so bad for your hair and your scalp health.” She stressed that the constant tension from tightly pulled hair is detrimental to overall hair and scalp well-being.

Recognizing the need for practical solutions, Marlie also offered alternatives for those who frequently need to tie their hair up. Her professional advice suggests opting for scrunchies or claw clips, explaining that “they don't have as much tension and it's so much better for your hair and your scalp.” She firmly concluded by reiterating her plea to “Give it up” when it comes to slick back styles.

Marlie’s TikTok video, posted under the username @hairbymarlieau, quickly gained significant traction, racking up 164,400 views, 1,861 likes, 131 comments, and 2,144 shares. The expert’s concerns resonated deeply with many beauty fans, with some confessing to feeling “attacked” by the revelation but others expressing immense gratitude for her candid advice. Testimonials in the comments section reinforced her warning, with users sharing personal experiences of thinning hair and bald patches caused by consistent tight ponytails and buns. One user lauded Marlie for not only identifying the problem but also providing actionable solutions, noting the frustration often associated with unsolicited advice lacking alternatives. Marlie also addressed concerns from those working in industries requiring hair to be tied back, clarifying that it’s still possible to do so without excessive tension.