My Hair is Getting Painfully Heavy; Suggestions?

[MissEarlGrey]

Hey Ladies,

My hair is getting heavy. I can't wear ponytails (not that I did to begin with) because having that much hair concentrated on one part of my scalp hurts in addition to the feeling of being pulled back, hurting my heck.

I'm having a hard time wearing buns on the back of my head because it just pulls me down and I get a neck ache. If I do one braid, the underside gets so matted by the end of the day it's not practical. I've been wearing it down, or in two braids in my spare time, but dealing with the neck pain in public with a pencil bun, a lazy wrap, or a rose bun.

A crown braid is lovely comfortable but mine are messy and not really public-friendly. Any suggestions for good weight-distributing buns? Or is it perhaps the end of my hair-growing days!? *gasp*

[Chromis]

Try placing the braid on different parts of your scalp. Different updos hold the weight better as well. I find a log roll secured with a Ficcare to be the most balance, others really like doing dual buns. The Ellingwoman braid (simplified) is really balanced too.

[jacqueline101]

I'd suggest doing a different hair style something and more balanced. Something to even the weight to keep it from pulling.

[moxamoll]

I haven't reached this point yet, but I know it's coming. Madora always suggests trying styles that distribute the weight around your head. Have you tried something like a vortex bun - where you make three braids and then bun them?

Or something like this, where the braiding distributes the weight around a bit more? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UjpkFh_NHs&feature=plcp&context=C30f75c6UDOEgsToPDskJkjdmfFSlDJEhtGeTEtxls

[Amber_Maiden]

After I got used to how buns felt, I no longer had this problem. I just try to make my buns as small as possible. I'm at 33in+ now to give you an idea of how long my hair is, and my hair is iii. I find that the longer it gets, the less heavy it- probably having to do with thickness, and distribution of it as it grows.

[Annibelle]

I'm just jealous that your hair is thick enough to be "painfully heavy!" :rollin: Even if my hair were knee-length, it's so thin that it'll never hurt.

Do regular braids hurt, too? Just one down your back?

[RapunzelKat]

I would suggest sectioning to distribute the weight of your hair. Here is a style Madora shared with me, it is super comfy and spreads the weight out really well :D

This technique works great with 2 or more braids, 2 or more rope braids, twisted strands or the Cameo bun.

All you do is:

1) detangle thoroughly

2) Make a horizontal part across the back of your head from the top of one ear to the top of the other.

3) Comb out all the hair above the part, divide it in 3 sections, and braid it loosely to the end.

4) Take the braid and holding it flat against your head, coil it in a bun, pinning with hairpins as you go. Tuck in the tassle under the braid.

5) Take the remaining hair and braid it, then wind it around the bun already made.

Voila..a double braided bun.

Also, check out vortex buns on YouTube. Torrinpaige has a really good one, and there are several other good ones out there (I would link you, but am on my phone and do not know how, sorry :o)

[julliams]

It's a phase. I remember feeling this way when I was about mid-back. Now I'm almost hip and it feels fine. I'm guessing your follicles are going through an adjustment and you will find ways to wear your hair so that it becomes more comfortable. I never wear a bun all day. My 'hair" starts to hurt so I just take it down, do a quick massage and put it in a different position. I find that helps alot. It helps that I like variety with my look anyway.

[MissEarlGrey]

I'm definitely going to try the vortex bun! Probably right now. Be back in a bit!

[Dorothy]

Very low buns help with this. Some yoga might help with the neck pain. I think part of what happens as it gets longer is that we develop the muscles we need to hold up our hair......

[darklyndsea]

Hairstyles that I find distribute hair comfortably: vortex bun, amish braids/interlaced braids, dutch flutterby.

And I don't know what they *are*, but I do know that there are exercises to strengthen neck muscles, which should be pretty easy to find by googling.

[annamoonfairy]

I wear piggy braids.

[MissEarlGrey]

Very low buns help with this. Some yoga might help with the neck pain. I think part of what happens as it gets longer is that we develop the muscles we need to hold up our hair......

Oooh! Nope nope nope! Low buns give me the WORST neck pain. The higher, the better.

Here's a vortex bun I just did.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/DetachedToad/VortexBun.jpg

It feels pretty good. Similar to a rose bun but not as bulky; this is very flat against my head. I'll try the Siobhan tomorrow, it was very beautiful.

[lunalocks]

i have been doing a braided bun. I do an english braid, not real tight, the wrap it over my hand as if to do a seashell bun, the smash it to my head and spread it out a little so the braid lies flat, then secure with 3 to 4 spin pins.

[RapunzelKat]

Oooh! Nope nope nope! Low buns give me the WORST neck pain. The higher, the better.

Here's a vortex bun I just did.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/DetachedToad/VortexBun.jpg

It feels pretty good. Similar to a rose bun but not as bulky; this is very flat against my head. I'll try the Siobhan tomorrow, it was very beautiful.

Very pretty! :thumbsup:

[Kelikea]

Here are some examples of how to section hair for updo's:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=120532&albumid=8987&dl=1323140198&thumb=1http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117348&albumid=8987&dl=1319762290&thumb=1http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117346&albumid=8987&dl=1319762164&thumb=1http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117334&albumid=8987&dl=1319761518&thumb=1 Sectioning helps with weight distribution, so it is not all pulling in one spot.

[Kelikea]

I like your vortex bun. How many strands did you use?

[Teazel]

I went through a phase of feeling my hair was too heavy, not long after I joined LHC. It stopped after a while: maybe because I learned better updos, maybe because my neck got used to carrying a bun.

Having said that, I think we credit hair with being heavier than it actually is. Mine is calf length and a similar thickness to yours, and it weighs... *drumroll*... 130g. :o Which isn't a great deal, really.

So if you hang in there and try out different updos, things will probably get better. I tend to wear very quick'n'easy styles (such as a nautilus bun secured with a single hairstick), so if it starts to pull or feel heavy I can just let it down for a minute and redo it in a slightly different place.

ETA: Just remembered to add: you can take the weight off by wearing a headband and passing the bottom of the band under your bun, so it acts like a sling. Also if you wear hooded tops you can pile your hair into the hood, either loose or in a braid. These 'styles' might only be suitable for wearing at home, though! :D

[MissEarlGrey]

I like your vortex bun. How many strands did you use?

I used three strands. I guess I'm getting to the point where I need to set aside more time in the morning to take care of my hair for the day. I usually just throw it up in a pencil bun (takes 2 seconds) and go on my merry way. I have a physically active job and I'm a geology undergrad, so I'm constantly doing labwork and going out into the field and collecting rocks, so my hair can be a pain to deal with. I'm very determined to be a exploration scientist with long hair, not a cropped cut, which is understandably easier to handle when out camping for 2 months.

[spidermom]

Have you tried bunning your braid? That is my most comfortable style lately, also adding a few long bobby-pins to supplement whatever stick or fork I am using for other buns.

[NymphSpirit]

AH, I know the feeling, I have tons of hair and even if it's barealy at bsl my ponytails always pull my head back /: what about french/dutch braids? They work like a charm for me

[Seeshami]

I have that issue too. It's all about where you put things. High pony tails are an absolute no for the naughty mess. I generally have to keep things on top of my head or at/below the tops of my ears. The top curve of the back of my skull is no no land.

[Sewas]

I have waist-length, coarse and heavy hair. The braided buns using two or three strands work the best for me. I also find the hairdo in my avatar very comfortable. It can be either a french or dutch braid worked from the crown and swirled around and tucked all into a bun. It holds up all day with 3 spiral pins and doesn't hurt. Your hair is very beautiful...definately worth the work to keep it long.

[Chromis]

I used three strands. I guess I'm getting to the point where I need to set aside more time in the morning to take care of my hair for the day. I usually just throw it up in a pencil bun (takes 2 seconds) and go on my merry way. I have a physically active job and I'm a geology undergrad, so I'm constantly doing labwork and going out into the field and collecting rocks, so my hair can be a pain to deal with. I'm very determined to be a exploration scientist with long hair, not a cropped cut, which is understandably easier to handle when out camping for 2 months.

For camping you might really like something like this: http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrub-Hats/Scrub-Hats-for-Women/Pony-Collection/

There are other styles on Etsy as well: http://www.etsy.com/search?includes[]=tags&q=pony+scrub+hats

My current one is from this shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thehatcottage

[annamoonfairy]

Does anyone know how to do a crown braid? I would like to try this one as it would not put much stress on my neck. Thank you all for sharing : )

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/7374/marchhair.jpg

[MissEarlGrey]

Torrinpaige has a great tutorial on youtube, just type in crown braid torrinpaige and I'm sure you'll find her. It's a b**** to do, but it is soooo comfy.

[Madora]

@annamoonfairy, here's a link to the lace crown braid which only uses two strands of hair:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPHEzUr5bWQ

I found that doing a lace crown braid with 3 strands was a lot easier in the bent at the waist position, with all my hair in front of me, like a curtain.

I started just in front of the right ear, then worked across the front of my head to the left ear, then stood erect, changed hand positions, then continued braiding across the back of my head and then tucking in the braid tassle under the braids, and pinning with crimped hairpins where needed.

[Madora]

The secret to wearing heavy hair comfortably is to section it.

[misspurdy06]

I do a low side bun quick easy painless chic. you can add a flower to dress it up.

[swearnsue]

In addition to the other suggestions, wear something to keep your neck warm. A scarf, bandana, or turtleneck shirt. Just thinking that the warmth would help while you get used to the extra weight (and can't hurt!).

[sycamoreboutiqu]

Yes, to all of the suggestions.

One change I noticed after joining LHC and putting some of the suggestions into practice was that my hair didn't seem as heavy. I attribute that partly to doing a clairifying treatment regularly. My hair always feels lighter afterward. I swear that mineral buildup has weight to it !
Divided buns for sure, it makes a huge difference.

[Tisiloves]

You might want to try hair taping:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqbAdvL8kME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P7MiC_GvHY&feature=plcp&context=C337c391UDOEgsToPDskJkjdmfFSlDJEhtGeTEtxls

[melusine963]

If the hair at your nape gets tangled when it's in a braid, try Torrin Paige's faux french braid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kOyGD_KOoA

[alyanna]

I'm just jealous that your hair is thick enough to be "painfully heavy!" :rollin: Even if my hair were knee-length, it's so thin that it'll never hurt.



It's a phase. I remember feeling this way when I was about mid-back.


I think part of what happens as it gets longer is that we develop the muscles we need to hold up our hair......


I went through a phase of feeling my hair was too heavy, not long after I joined LHC. It stopped after a while

I tend to agree with some of these comments. I'm referring to follicle/scalp soreness and sometimes headaches.

I'm not so sure it has anything to do with the actual weight of the hair. Mine's thin and not quite APL and I still find certain updos to be quite painful. It also varies from day to day for some reason and I find that at certain times of the month (yep) my scalp is particularly sensitive.

I like top-knots, personally, and cinnabuns. Low English braids are comfy but look lame (puny hair). Same with two, low braids. Pigtails really hurt and so do French/Dutch braids.

[arc691]

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x472/andrearcolson/For%20Pinterest/animated-avatars0516.gif

Sounds like everybody has great suggestions!
I hope you find something that works for you...

[QMacrocarpa]

A crown braid is lovely comfortable but mine are messy and not really public-friendly.
An alternative to the crown braid is the coronet braid (http://www.prismnet.com/%7Ecortese/hair/styling.html#coronet), where you make a regular braid at the nape and then wrap it around your head and secure in place. You might need more length for it, though. In the meantime, some of these styles starting with two braids (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuatfZiMwXg) might be comfortable.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n98D0j8Ypfg)

[Venefica]

I recommend doing a a Elizabethan hair taping, then you will have ribbons supporting allot of the weight of your bun. Here is a good instruction video for how to do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqbAdvL8kME

[3azza]

i keep it down all the time for the same reason. when i want it away from my face, i work only with the few frontal strands, and when i want it completely out of the way i do a loose braid. buns never work.

[Pierre]

I usually wear a bun on each side. That balances the weight well.