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=9Ujpk...lDJEhtGeTEtxls

[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!" 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

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 )

[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......