Many individuals with long or thick hair notice recurring headaches that correlate with their hairstyle. This recognized phenomenon is often called an external traction headache or a “ponytail headache.” The pain is caused by sustained tension placed on the scalp and hair roots, which irritates the sensitive nerves beneath the skin. Understanding this mechanism helps in finding effective ways to manage and prevent these headaches.
Understanding Scalp Sensitivity and Nerve Response
The headache from hair pulling is caused by sustained tugging on the hair follicles, not the sheer weight of the hair. This constant pulling irritates the pericranium, the layer of tissue covering the skull that is rich in sensitive nerve endings. The cumulative tension on these nerves triggers the pain signal.
This mechanism is classified as an external compression headache, where outside pressure causes a painful response. Hypersensitivity, known as cutaneous allodynia, can develop, causing a normally harmless stimulus, like the gentle pressure of a hair tie, to be perceived as painful. Individuals with frequent tension headaches or migraines are often more susceptible, as their nervous system may have a lower pain threshold.
The pain signals are transmitted through the trigeminal nerve and the occipital nerves at the back of the head. When hair is tightly secured, the sensory nerves surrounding the hair roots become irritated, leading to pain across the scalp. This neural irritation causes the dull ache or throbbing sensation, which can sometimes trigger a migraine attack. Prolonged tension sensitizes the nerves, requiring less stimulus over time to produce a painful reaction.
High-Tension Hairstyles That Trigger Pain
The specific hairstyles that cause pain gather a large amount of hair and pull it tightly at a single point on the scalp. High ponytails are common culprits because they create significant tension by lifting the hair away from the natural fall line. The elastic band acts as a single point of traction, concentrating the pulling force on a specific area.
Complex or heavy braids, particularly those tightly woven close to the scalp, can also lead to external traction headaches. Tightly wound buns or topknots using multiple pins or heavy accessories also put pressure on the hair roots. The added weight of thick, long hair, extensions, or wet hair can exacerbate the problem, intensifying the strain when gathered tightly.
Even minor accessories, such as tightly fitted headbands or hair clips that compress the scalp, can cause this type of headache. The key factor is continuous, localized pressure or pulling, rather than the hair style itself. Opting for styles that distribute the hair’s weight over a larger area, or allowing the hair to hang loose, significantly reduces the likelihood of pain.
Immediate Relief and Long-Term Prevention Strategies
The most immediate and effective remedy for a hair-related headache is to remove the source of the tension. Taking the hair down from the tight style, such as a ponytail or a braid, should be the first action. For many people, this simple step causes the headache to subside within an hour as the irritated nerves calm down.
Gently massaging the scalp immediately after releasing the hair can help alleviate tension and soothe sensitized nerves. If the pain persists or is intense, an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may be used. However, relying on medication too frequently is not a sustainable solution and should not replace preventative measures.
For long-term prevention, the primary strategy is modifying styling habits to reduce scalp tension. Wear hair down more often, or choose styles that are intentionally loose and low, such as a low ponytail at the nape of the neck. Using soft fabric hair ties instead of tight elastics minimizes pulling and compression on the hair follicles. If hair is thick or long, consulting a stylist about a layered cut may help reduce the overall weight and associated drag.