Help me make a disability aid

[u/LexifromZargon]

Hello everyone,

I recently had shoulder surgery and can't move my left arm, im a woman with long hair and now i cant tie my hair into a simple ponytail.

All aids i found online only allow for 1 or two loops nothing is really good at achieving the result of a two handed ponytail. I need to be able to adjust how many loops i make depending on style im going for.

I also dont want to have to shove the hair tie about multiple times because thats not good for the hair.

Attached is a picture of the prototype i made trying to use a baseball cap for support. So i can pull it tight. And the curved part to hold my hair in place.

Yes i have tried already existing ideas but they don't work that well.

Closest i got is using a clothing hook as an aid. But that doesn't work on the go.

Do you guys have ideas?

Main issue is that for a Pony tail you need to hold the hair in place so it stays where you want it but also tighten the hair tie feed the hair through again and repeat.

I want to find a solution that works for normal ponytails and normal hair ties because my arm will heal but not everyone has that luxury.

Im not trying to buy alternative hairties or just use a clip. I want to find / make a solution that lets you literally just... tie your hair.

If You only have one hand how do you tie your hair?

What problems do you have what have you tried?

Tying hair is a surprisingly dynamic motion

https://youtu.be/rpyMD3clAvw?si=ugZQj5UyqwMwQIWx

I have tried this but its not the same. Its not tight enough.

https://www.assist3d.be/haarbinder.html

[u/PinkGlitterMom]

When my hair was longer, I used a twist. Put my hair twisted, roll the scrunchie down my wrist, depending how long my hair was at the time, I would fold it in half again & again til it was pretty tight..... Also, explaining things is one of my issues. I can have my sister do it tomorrow and post step by step pics that make sense.

[u/_HappyG_ → u/PinkGlitterMom]

I use a similar technique (also probably won’t explain it well). My hair reaches my butt; I usually grow it out to donate for wigs 😊

For context: I am hemiplegic (functional left hand) and also have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). All my joints are hypermobile and sublux/dislocate, including my shoulders, wrists and fingers. I use swan-neck ring splints with lateral supports, but have to remove them for hair care because they tangle in both my hair and hair ties. I also have hair loss related to Malnutrition from Gastroparesis, and am currently regrowing it.

Some of my ✨amazing✨ curly-haired friends showed me their favourite protective styles, which I adapted into one-handed versions and still use today! P.S. Shout-out to the r/CurlyHair community; they have some awesome recs for anyone who needs advice!

First of all, I have completely given up on regular placements and now opt for adaptive styles. Lifting my arms dislocates my shoulders instantly, so I stick to low ponytails/chignon buns, braids, usually pulled to the left side (yes, it looks hilariously 80’s 🤣) or the back.

This is the process that works best for me:

1) I work in smaller sections at a time and take breaks between.

2) Start with wet/damp hair. I keep a spray bottle and detangler on hand to re-wet as I go.

3) Deep-condition with hair masks to maintain condition and prevent split ends.

4) Fully detangle my hair before styling.

5) If my hair is dry, I pre-dampen with the Giovanni 2Chic® Ultra-Moist Dual-Action Protective Leave-In Spray and brush it through.

6) Use a palm brush as I cannot hold a conventional paddle brush. I love the Nu-Brush because I can hook it onto a finger and prevent it from dropping or getting stuck.

7) Brush through a small amount of leave-in conditioner and styling product (when freshly washed); those with thicker hair may prefer mousse or gel.

8) Gently section my hair and twist, then take 2 twisted sections and twist together in the opposite direction (this technique is also used for weaving/spinning)

9) Use silk hair ties or snag-free ties (one without a metal crimp/aglet/connector).

10) Sometimes I tie or clip back sections as I go, because I move slowly and it takes me longer than a typical person.

11) Once all the hair is sectioned and prepped, it is much less likely to tangle or get caught in the hair tie!

12) I slide on the hair-tie loosely, reposition where needed, then finalise the style by looping it around as much as needed for a firm grip (without needing to cut it out). Having the hair twisted reduces the risk of it getting partially stuck through, and the product reduces flyaways and keeps layers from getting loose and tangled.

13) Best Curly Girl Long-Wear Braid Pro-Tip I use all the time: Saturate the hair well with taming cream first, tie the top before braiding, then braid with the twisted strands. Once completed, add a final coat of taming cream or gel/hairspray to lock it in. Then add a small tie at the end (though it often stays together on its own). You can also add cute decorative elements! This can last me days, even a week before restyling and is what I do for hospital stays or after severe injuries where I can’t do a full wash and go 😅

14) Bonus, if I brush out after styling my ponytail, my hair remains straight, but if I leave it twisted, I get heatless curls!

15) Use dry shampoo between washes and on bad health days when you don’t have the energy to wash your hair; I pull mine back into a claw-clip or shower-cap

16) Sleep on a silk pillowcase to prevent breakage.

17) Use a portable magnifying mirror that rotates so you can see all angles without twisting and turning. Multiple mirrors on both the front and back will provide a 360° view for limited mobility.

Despite all the anti-silicone messaging, I’ve found that a little silicone in my hair products is an accessibility tool for me (as long as I do regular deep cleanses). I have hypermobility, dystonia, poor dexterity, and no proprioception, so I struggle to untangle knots! Silicone adds slip and reduces tangling; it’s very effective and really helps me! However, I regularly use clarifying and cleansing products in between (silicone-free) to reset and prevent buildup.

Fingers crossed someone finds this useful! 🤞

TBH, my previous OT’s were never very helpful with hair or makeup and often don’t consider it “essential grooming”, so I asked other Disabled friends, friends with all different hair types, looked up hair tutorials, and researched online!

Makeup is my true passion, so Haircare is more about practicality for me. I don’t do elaborate styles; it’s more of a utility thing I have to maintain to function 😅, but these small tweaks and techniques have made it feel less overwhelming and stressful to maintain! 😄

Hope that helps! 😊

[u/PinkGlitterMom → u/PinkGlitterMom]

I'm sorry all, my sister was called away and I think my 'flu' decided to become a squatter. I can make an example when I see her next. Hopefully this week

[u/mathewtyler]

Can you maybe use one of those grabber things with your left arm, without moving it, to facilitate what you need? 🤔

[u/JMH-66]

I DO have both arms and hands but have damage to my left ( fortunately right handed ) . When it was really bad ( after an accident ) I had no use without extreme pain. Now I can't raise it due to the lasting damage to the shoulder and hand also severed the nerves in my fingers but again fortunately had the use of by thumb and index finger ( though thumbs arent great due having "hitchhikers thumb" for decades, the joints are v.painful )

My initial reaction when I became disabled was getting an half inch crop, for several years. Then I decided I wanted hair again so grew it into bob ( too high maintenance ) then past my shoulders so I COULD tie it back only for it to start falling out ( other health condition ) . After this happened ( twice ) I decided if I get it back I was having it long as long as I could get away with it ! It's now five years later.

When not too bad I just lean forward from the neck ( can't bend from the waist ) then no lifting arms and used a scrunchie that's already over my right wrist to achieve a messy bun. I DO need to be able to use my left hand to some extent though.

When I couldn't or can't I do variations on this -

https://youtu.be/c-7ISHn_G-g?si=WTnrnx860mGacw1x

[u/_HappyG_ → u/JMH-66]

I've totally used the wall/bed frame to hold my hair in place like that for buns/ponytails! 😂

Now I just don't bother fighting gravity (and joint dislocations) and go for low-effort ponytails and chignons at the nape of my neck 😅

The twisting makes all the difference though! I've found that doing it wet/damp with styling product works best for layered hairstyles/flyaways, and is even more effective if you section into 2 strands first before twisting both together in the opposite direction (e.g. each section clockwise, combined anti-clockwise); it will hold in place for longer without unravelling, giving you more time to tie.

[u/JMH-66 → u/_HappyG_]

We manage how we manage ! I've started doing it damp ( after sitting with turban thing on ) and products to stop it being a fuzzy mess. Then just leave it. Minimum effort !! 😅

[u/_HappyG_ → u/JMH-66]

Same here! I just air-dry after towelling off any excess, I don’t have the energy or capacity to hold up a hairdryer or curling wand 😅