Tender Scalp Anyone?

[serena]

I have always had parts of my scalp tender, particularly the temples and above the ears. I remember when I was little hating the visit to the hair salon (had really short hair) not because I was afraid of the scissors, but because they hurt me so.

Now that I'm an 'adult' and I can do what I want, my hair is long. But my scalp is still tender (probably even more than it used to be, because of psoriasis, ) Now, of course.. It helps if my hair isn't pulled tight or put up in a high bun (those are the worst!).

I guess I just wanted to see if you guys had any recommendations to deal with a tender scalp. It seems to me with people with hair as long as I've seen in some signatures would have some ideas on how to deal. Even when my hair was tailbone length, I had no ideas on this. So, help girls? (and the occasional boy )

~serena

[Hairstorm]

Looking at your hairtype, we might have similar hair. My scalp is not constantly tender, only when I'm getting a cold or a hairstlye puts too much pressure. I think a simple english braid is gentle to the scalp (don't do it too tightly), or if you're wearing an updo, switch the pin placement around every so often. Maybe leave the front hair out of your bun, then just drape it back gracefully and fasten it around the bun.

[KristinMH]

I had long hair until I was three. I would cry every time my mom would brush it, then my dad got mad and cut it to my shoulders. (ok that sounds a lot worse then it was ) Even as I got older I would not let anyone touch my hair. At the salon my eyes would well up with tears it hurt so bad.

My ILs had a dog who hated having her fur brushed. Then I tried it, nice and gentle like I do my own hair and she loved it! I was the only one who could really brush her!

[Meg_Evenstar]

My scalp is tender when I am sick or it is very dirty. I think this means different things for different people.

Meg

[serena]

Originally Posted by Hairstorm

Looking at your hairtype, we might have similar hair. My scalp is not constantly tender, only when I'm getting a cold or a hairstlye puts too much pressure. I think a simple english braid is gentle to the scalp (don't do it too tightly), or if you're wearing an updo, switch the pin placement around every so often. Maybe leave the front hair out of your bun, then just drape it back gracefully and fasten it around the bun.

People have trouble believing that someone with coarse hair could have a tender scalp. You'd think that hair stylists at least would have this one figured out. (Not that I'm letting any of *them* near my head again, not unless they're *long hair certified* )

I love that bun idea! My hair gets so heavy that buns pull enough to give me headaches, so I stick to pretty simple stuff - braids, pony tails, hair down.. I love braids because I can distribute the weight among the many braids. I'm partial to the two braids now, since even the single one seems to pull. As soon as my Amish hair pins arrive, I'll have to try buns again, and I'll make sure to remember your idea!

I supposed that I should have explained what I mean by tender scalp. To me, that's a scalp that is sensitive to hair pulling of any sort (even regular combing). I gave up brushing years ago, because the occasional knot (and the longer the hair, the tanglier ) would make my eyes tear up bad enough that sometimes after brushing people would ask me whether I was crying over something. I only use a wide tooth :toofer: comb and my fingers. This works much better.

Scalp massages have helped to some extent, but I can't seem to formulate a theory on why. I can sort of understand it.. but.. nothing coherent to report. Not gonna stop doing those in any case.. they feel good!

Thanks!

~serena