Matting occurs when friction and dirt combine to create static which makes a big ugly mat. Braided hair will be bent and interwoven, thus maximizing the surface area for more friction. Highly illadvised.
You need the latex bands that are created for banding hair. Plain old rubber bands spread apart and capture hair when they constrict. You need bands that do not do this. Think of putting a plain rubber band in your hair. When you pull it out, your hair pulls too. Even if you cut the band out, hair will stick.
Most matting occurs underneath the bands themselves. Loose hair wraps around, friction occurs and leaves a mat. This is why they must be changed every few days. Wrapping minimized the number of bands used, thus minimizes the matting underneat the bands.
Wrapping ears is very important if you are growing a coat for the ring. Ears get in mouths and chewed off, rubbed on the ground., dragged through food and water.
