Want to start growing, but serious reservations...

[redeyedtreefr0g]

I completely understand about getting headaches from your hair!

Although you seem more sensitive than me, you've also had your hair really short for far longer than I ever desired to.

The only way I know of to deal with the headaches is with Excedrin (THE headache medicine, as advertised. It deals beautifully with both hair headaches, and the minor ones I get from stress). I would not reccommend taking any before you try to sleep though- the caffeine in those will keep you up, though a headache keeps me awake just the same- so I just deal with it.

My suggestion would also be to pick a hairstyle that is easily changed. When you get a headache, move your hair to a different spot. Change the location of your barrette, twist your bun a different direction, anything. It's the difference in weight that is likely causing the problem- it still got me with my hair at classic length when I'd use a drastically different style, such as when I had a week off for spring break (school bus driver) and wore it mostly down, then tried to bun it all when I went back to work. The good news is that your head WILL get accustomed to the weight of your hair and the headaches should start occurring less frequently and strongly.

It isn't that hard to get the relief of having your hair off your neck in the heat either- a headband or scarf as suggested can be tied loose enough to hopefully not cause trouble, and yet lift your hair off your neck just enough to keep it from touching you and being annoying It gets easier to do with longer hair that goes into a bigger choice of updos, in my opinion.

You could also try your own decorative hair nets, perhaps? Maybe a headband with a net attached that would allow you to have a no-worry style that still works for work? Just throwing ideas your way.

Hope it helps!

[torrilin]

If you're a migraine patient already... that bit where the painkillers only make a small dent should be ringing alarm bells in your head. That's pretty much how every person I know who gets migraines describes their pain.

I'd talk to your migraine specialist about this, not to us.

[Henrietta]

Maybe a different way of distributing the weight of your hair could help?
Here's something cool, shikara's blog and her method of pinning hair up evenly in thin strands, so there's nothing heavy in one place to pull and cause pain.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?u=33845

[moxamoll]

I think you're going to have to have some patience. I have a sensitive scalp as well (although maybe not as bad as yours.) Start out wearing it up for shorter periods of time, on days when you don't have to have it up. Take it down as soon as you get discomfort and wait an hour or so before putting it up again.

On days when it has to be up, carry some extra toys and switch the styles around to move the pressure, whenever it's convenient to your schedule.

And definitely start looking at tutorials here, youtube, other places on line and try as many styles as you can. As my hair is getting longer (i.e. heavier), I'm definitely finding that styles which keep that weight close to my scalp or section the weight in different places are very helpful.

Good luck!

[luxepiggy]

The entire time I was 18 and 19, my hair practically lived in a tight bun on top of my head during the summer, and it took a LONG time or a serious hairtie screw up to give me a headache of any note. But now, it gets to brush my shoulders, and I try and throw in loose 3 inch long pigtails, and here comes the headache again..

I think the issue is placement. With a high bun, most of the weight of the hair is supported by resting on the head, whereas in a low ponytail, the entire weight of the hair is being supported by the roots. Try double French or Dutch braids that start high, above the crown.

[heidi w.]

I had nearly classic length hair when I first posted on a long hair site (not this one). I grew from a Princess Di look, a picture of which is in my hair album, to show others it can be done.

For a bit of time I used a lot of headbands and braids. Your natural hair sounds like it might have some weight to it. Ponytailing hair is not the best idea because hair is then still susceptible to rubbing against cloth; being caught in a car door or window; and to getting tangled in a strong wind. I live near Chicago, but grew most of my length when I resided in the Bay Area of California. Here I have come to understand why it's termed "The Windy City". It's because it's windy almost all the time. The wind is my nemesis.

After a time of more gained length, you'll become good at updos. I have a kind of a gift for updos, but I still had to try stuff over&over. I've had friends show me stuff. I've looked at pictures, and imagined the how-to.

If you want long hair, just grow it. Word of caution: I am not a fan of henna-ing the hair. Has nothing to do with if it's organic or not. Henna is known in the hairdressing industry to eventually block the uptake of conditioner, and hair can over a duration of time become quite dry. That's a problem. I've seen this occur on a number of people. Yes, apparently henna may help with this or that, but eventually, with continued use the hair is going to end up a bit dry. I feel sad for these ladies who hennaed a while, gained length meanwhile, and only have dry hair to show for all the time and money they spent. It doesn't happen immediately. It takes a Looooong time, as in 3-5 years from initial use, with repeated applications of henna. Something to think about. FYI, bleach is natural, and it's not good for hair. I know a lady who is a kind of surgical nurse and she has amazingly long, gorgeous hair. Truly amazing hair.

Happy Growing,
heidi w.

[heidi w.]

I think the issue is placement. With a high bun, most of the weight of the hair is supported by resting on the head, whereas in a low ponytail, the entire weight of the hair is being supported by the roots. Try double French or Dutch braids that start high, above the crown.

Hair is drawn back, perhaps too tightly, and all the weight is hanging from one focal point. I can see that leading to an aggravation of capillaries (which are just under the skin) and them swelling, which in turn can lead to a kind of headache. It may not matter if it's a high or low ponytail......but you can try a lower ponytail, if you want.

heidi w.

[swearnsue]

You could be experiencing a vicious cycle. While you are putting your hair up you think about how you are going to get a headache, this causes tension which gives you a headache. So now everytime you put your hair up you get tension and that results in a headache. Maybe?

[swearnsue]

You could be experiencing a vicious cycle. While you are putting your hair up you think about how you are going to get a headache, this causes tension which gives you a headache. So now everytime you put your hair up you get tension and that results in a headache. Maybe?