[topknot]

Never keep the groomer's bands in the hair or they will matt. I use the small orthodontist bands, but I change them daily. Also never pull a band out. The bands should always be cut. You can use small scissors that have a curve in them to avoid cutting any hairs. They also have bands that are small and say they will not pull hair. They work pretty good. I get mine at Walmart.
Sounds like you left your girl's bow in all week. You must have had a mess. The hair gets tangled in the bands from them moving around and from scratching. Scrunchies will work too, but again they need to be changed daily.