Here’s How Your Hair And Scalp Might Be Causing Your Headaches
Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... read full bio
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Your hair isn’t an organ and doesn’t have pain sensors, but sometimes you may feel like it hurts. Well, not your hair itself, but the place where it meets your scalp. Since your hair is made of dead skin cells, you cannot actually feel pain. If you could, haircuts would be a lot more painful. Scalp tenderness is a common condition faced by tonnes of people out there. There could be numerous causes of pain. Despite your hair shaft not having blood cells or nerves your scalp is enriched with the sensitive roots of your hair. Hence, when you pluck a piece of hair out, it hurts so bad. So, let’s look at some of the root causes of the problem (pun totally intended):
- Your Follicles Are Clogged
We get it, sometimes you feel super lazy and you hate washing your hair. However, it’s extremely crucial to get rid of the oil that has collected in the hair follicles. Besides the possibility of painful inflammation, it can also get clogged by-products like hair conditioner, cream, hair gel, and even leave-in serum. It’s important to wash your hair at least two to three times a week. If you’re someone who’s extremely active or has a very oily scalp, you should wash and shampoo your hair more often. Just as clogged pores can lead to severe acne issues, so can clogged follicles.
- You Could Be Using Harsh Products
When it comes to taking care of your scalp, it’s important to keep in mind that you should maintain the right balance of ingredients in the products you use. If you’re someone who likes to oil their hair before showering, you should ensure that you’ve cleaned all the oil and other products out of your hair, and haven’t left any residue. This is because harsh products can lead to excessive oil production. Some products that promise to moisturize your hair can also leave your follicles feeling clogged. At the same time, you should make sure you’re using a shampoo that is gentle on your scalp.
- Remember To Shampoo!
Sure, the no-poo movement has been gaining popularity lately but when you live in a hot or humid environment, it is important to shampoo your hair. Remember that the oil that collects in your follicles is breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. These germs can lead to a lot of issues and cause pain in your scalp. Even skipping shampooing for two days may cause these infections to occur.
- Maybe Skip The Tight Top Knot Or Ponytail?
Tight top knots and ponytails might be your go-to look if you’re someone who likes keeping your hair out of your face. However, did you know that a tight hairstyle can cause the roots on your scalp to get inflamed and cause pain? In fact, this problem is so popular within the beauty community that it is called a ponytail headache! Tight rubber hair ties can also cause friction and this will result in your hair getting tugged constantly (ouch). To avoid all of this, it’s best to tie your hair in a loose bun and use a thick cloth or silk hair tie. If you have short hair, just switch to clipping up your hair instead and if you have really long hair you can braid it loosely. These hairstyles will not only make you look great but they will give your scalp the much-needed break it requires.
- It Can Worsen The Pain Of Migraines
If you’re someone who constantly suffers headaches even when your hair is loose, you might have an underlying health problem like sinusitis or migraines. If the pain is recurring and constant, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor and get a checkup done. If you’re someone who already suffers from migraines and are taking medication for the same, it’s a good idea to avoid tying your hair uptight and massaging it with therapeutic oils to help ease the symptoms.
With the right kind of care, even the most horrid of scalp problems can be solved. While this is the time you’re probably feeling super lazy, it’s important to not let go of your pre-lockdown hair care routine just because you’re not going out anymore. The changes that might be happening in your life might be leading to stress and causing these kinds of issues with your scalp.
You can also try using a slightly cooling, gentle shampoo to relieve some of the pain associated with the condition. Getting adequate rest is also necessary if you want to fix this issue in the long-term. Oiling your hair and leaving it in overnight will really make quite the difference as it will increase blood circulation to the area. Do let us know if any of our tips were useful for you.
