The Reason You're Tenderheaded (Explained)

Being tenderheaded means the scalp is super sensitive to various sensations. Hair follicles are located next to nerves. This means, we were naturally designed to feel brushing, combing, massaging, and any manipulation that happens with our hair. This can make hair time quite ticklish, super relaxing, and an overall pleasant experience.

But you're probably not here because your scalp feels good. Phrases like "how to not be tenderheaded" are searched over 500 times a day. This is because being tenderheaded also means hair time can really hurt! Pain can be a sign that something is wrong. And understanding what hurts can help prevent issues like hair loss and inflamed scalp before they happen.

First you'll want to figure out your sensitivities. A tenderheaded person can be slightly tenderheaded, fairly tenderheaded or extremely tenderheaded. Only the tenderheaded person will know how much pain they can (and can not) tolerate. This means anything from getting braids to a simple wash day may slightly bother one tenderhead, but be excruciating for another. Many times there are no physical signs of damage to the scalp, but the pain is very real.

The pain can range from a little soreness, an annoying tingle, an uncomfortable pull, or a full-blown headache. Sometimes the pain is felt during the hair doing process. Other times, the pain may not start until the style is done. When this happens, some may opt to take the style out. But if you really like the style, or the style took a lot of time to do, or cost a lot of money, you may want another solution.

Natural pain killers can work. This brand specifically doesn't have any acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, and is gentle on the stomach. But pain killers should really be a temporary solution or last resort. This is because, you're going to want to figure out the underlying cause, so that you don't become dependent on pain killers, or cause serious damage to your hair follicles because you're ignoring the real issue.

If your pain is new, sporadic, situational or coupled with other issues (like bumps, swelling, dry patches, or redness), you may want to see if there is an underlying health issue. For example, scalp psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis can make the scalp sensitive. Stress, hormone changes, and even weather changes can trigger flare ups.

Different areas of the scalp have different sensitivities. The main areas of the scalp are the crown (top of head), nape (back of neck), and temples (side of the head near the ears). Taking note of where the pain is coming from can provide some clues and help you identify any patterns. If you're experiencing overall pain, it may be a good indication that the scalp just wants to be free. This means avoiding tight styles and rough stylists. But if the pain is location-specific (for example a pulled hair at the back of the neck), you might just need to take out that one braid, redo that one section, or treat that area of your head with special care.

The best styles for tenderheads include blow-outs, wash-n-gos, messy buns, and plaits (not cornrows). You can also celebrate scalp sensitivities with tools and techniques that make your head feel amazing! This includes relaxing massages, spa-like treatments, and other hairstyles that keep the scalp feeling free.

Product Suggestions

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• Scalp Massager (reader suggestion)

• Super Moisturizing Conditioner (helps tangles melt)

• High Pressure Showerhead (pulsing warm water on a tender scalp feels amazing!)

• Polybands (elastics that break if installed too tight)

• Bottle Warmer (for hot oil treatments)

• Amber Glass Bottle (to mix your own oils)

• Soft Bristle Brush (for sleek looks)

• Bonnet (loose sleep protection, that also preserves styles)