4 Hairstyles That Can Give You a Headache

A headache might be caused by different reasons: stress, high blood pressure, an injury, or even the weather can trigger it. The way you choose to wear your hair can also be a major factor that gives you a headache. Some hairstyles that put pressure on your scalp can result in a painful feeling.

We at Bright Side have done our research to find out which hairstyles can cause a headache. And don’t forget to check out the additional tips on how to deal with this and on which hairstyles are safe at the end of the article.

1. Ponytail

Underneath your hair follicles and in your scalp there are very sensitive nerves that can sense pain. A ponytail may trigger a sensation of tightness in many nerves at once, which can result in a headache. This condition is pretty common, and is known as ponytail headache syndrome.

2. Headbands

People who wear tight headbands also might get a headache. This is considered an external compression headache and can occur when something worn on your head puts continuous pressure on your forehead or scalp. This type of headache is often described as moderate, constant pressure and it hurts most in the area where the object is pressing on your head. If you’ve been wearing tight headwear for a long time, the pain might worsen.

3. Tight braids

Overly tight braids can also cause an external compression headache. When your hair is braided too tightly, it puts additional pressure on your scalp and, in addition to damaging your hair, may lead to a headache. Medical experts believe that some people are affected by external compression headaches more than others due to underlying factors. For example, some women may have a more sensitive scalp during their menstrual cycle.

4. Hair extensions

Tightly braided hair extensions may give you a gorgeous mane, but they can also lead to a strong headache. Adding that much weight to your hair creates tension on your head and the excessive pulling on the scalp and hair follicles can cause nerves in the scalp to become sensitive. Unlike any other hairstyle, hair extensions are worn constantly resulting in continuous pressure on your scalp.

Bonus: How to get rid of an external compression headache

• Gently massage your scalp in the area where you feel pain and take a deep breath.
• Avoid unnecessary headwear.
• Consider hairstyles that don’t put too much pressure on your scalp: a loose bun, a low ponytail, or loose braids, or maybe even a shorter hairstyle.
• Get enough sleep.

Have you ever experienced a headache caused by a specific hairstyle? Do you know any other hairstyles that can lead to a headache?