Too-tight hairstyles can causephysical damage to the hair, and rubber elastics tend to be the worst accomplices.

It’s a predicament with no “right” answerjust a few guess-and-tests.

The trick?

Jamie Schneider

Don’t knock it till you try it.

No scissors (or snags) required.

She even tested the oils on a few skinny rubber bands, herself.

Lemon and grapefruit oils acted the most quickly, followed by bergamot and spearmint.

The takeaway.