How to Avoid Headphone Hair (10 Tips)

If you’ve worn headphones for an extended time, you know that they can cause your hair to stand up in weird ways. This is commonly referred to as “headphone hair.”

While it may not be a major concern for some people, others find headphone hair quite bothersome. Luckily, you can do a few things to avoid headphone hair altogether.

What is Headphone Hair?

Headphone hair is simply the result of wearing headphones for a long period. The pressure from the headphones’ headband can cause your hair to stand up in all sorts of weird ways or leave a dent in your hair.

How to Avoid Headphone Hair

Here are a few things you can do to avoid headphone hair.

1. Maintain a Short Haircut

This is probably the most effective way to avoid headphone hair. If you have short hair, there’s not much that can be done to mess it up. The shorter your hair is, the less likely it is to be affected by the pressure from headphones.

2. Wear Your Headphones Over a Hat or Hoodie

If you don’t want to cut your hair short, another option is to cover your hair by wearing a hat or hoodie when you’re wearing your headphones to protect it.

3. Make Sure the Headband is Not Tight

If you have headphones with adjustable headbands, make sure they’re not too tight. The tighter the headband, the more pressure it puts on your hair, leading to headphone hair.

So, try loosening the strap so that it does not rest entirely on your head. Also, adjust it occasionally to prevent the band from staying in one position for a prolonged time.

4. Choose Lightweight Headphones

If you’re concerned about headphone hair, you can try switching to lightweight headphones. These headphones will put less pressure on your head and, as a result, less pressure on your hair. They will also be more comfortable to wear for long periods.

5. Avoid Wearing Headphones for Too Long

Of course, one of the best ways to avoid headphone hair is to simply not wear headphones for too long. If you can, try to break up your listening sessions with short breaks to give your hair a chance to relax.

6. Change Your Hairstyle

You may opt for a headphone-friendly hairstyle. If you use headphones frequently, it will be a great idea to choose a hairstyle that is not easily affected by the pressure from headphones. This includes wearing your hair in a ponytail or braid or choosing ones that are easy to restyle.

7. Put Your Hair up into a Ponytail or Bun

If you have long hair, one option is to put it up into a ponytail or bun. This will help keep your hair out of the way and prevent it from being affected by the pressure from the headphones.

8. Switch the Way You Wear Your Headphones

Another option is to switch the way you wear your headphones. Try moving the headband to the back of your head, under your chin, or behind your neck. This trick is simple but effective.

9. Use In-Ear Headphones

If you’re worried about headphone hair, another option is to use in-ear headphones instead of over-ear headphones. In-ear headphones don’t have a headband that goes over your head, so they can’t cause the same type of headphone hair.

10. Use Earbuds

If you don’t want to use in-ear headphones, earbuds are also an excellent alternative. Earbuds don’t have a headband, and they fit snugly inside your ear, so they won’t cause headphone hair.

How to Fix Headphone Hair

If you already have headphone hair, here are some ways to fix it.

Apply Hair Products

One way to fix headphone hair is to apply some hair product to it. This could be a mousse or styling gel. Try to avoid using too much product, as this can make your hair greasy and heavy.

Use a Hairdryer

If you have time, another way to fix headphone hair is to use a hairdryer. Turn your hairdryer on the lowest setting and slowly move it over your hair. Make sure that you don’t hold the dryer in one spot for too long, or you may damage your hair.

Use a Straightener

If you have straight hair, another way to fix headphone hair is to use a straightener. Just run the straightener over your hair a few times until the headphone hair is gone. If you have curly hair, this may not be an option.

Use a Water Spray Bottle and Brush It Out

If you don’t have access to a hairdryer or straightener, you can try using a water spray bottle and brush. Simply spray some water on your hair and brush it out. 

Conclusion

Headphone hair can be a real hassle, but you can minimize the chances of it happening with a few simple tricks. We’ve provided a few tips to get you started, and by following them, you can avoid headphone hair altogether.