We’ve all experienced it—tying our hair into a sleek ponytail or a tight bun, only to end up with a throbbing headache a few hours later. While it might seem surprising that a hairstyle could cause discomfort, dermatologists confirm that this is a real phenomenon known as a ‘ponytail headache’ or ‘external compression headache.’
The Science Behind It
“"When you yank hard on your hair, it keeps the scalp, the follicles of the hair, and muscles underneath in a state of chronic tension. That yanking stimulates the nerve endings of the scalp, particularly sensory nerves, and can generate pain messages in the form of a headache,” explained Dr Vidushi Jain, Dermatologist and Medical Head, Dermalinks, Noida and Ghaziabad.
The scalp is richly innervated and vascularised, making it extremely sensitive. Repeated pulling can engage blood vessels and nerve elements, leading to headaches and, in some people, even sensitivity from activities, such as manual hair combing.
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Factors Involved
- Nerve Sensitivity – Tightness of the scalp leads to overstimulation of sensory nerves.
- Muscle Strain – Repeated tension puts pressure on the small muscles of the hair follicle, which get stretched and aches.
- Hair Density and Weight – People having denser or longer hair are more likely to get such headaches because the weight contributes to tension.
- Length of Hairstyle Wear – Submitting yourself to tight styles for long durations reinforces the pain.
Sign That Your Hairstyle Is Too Tight
- Pain, a delayed or pulling headache in the scalp
- Aching dullness that worsens over time
- Pain with movement or handling the hair
- Redness or bumps in some, even on the scalp
Possible Risks of Regular Tight Hairstyles
"Repeatedly pulling your hair back so tightly can lead to headaches but damages your hair as well. It can result in traction alopecia, a type of hair loss caused by repeated pulling on hair follicles, after some time,” cautioned Dr Jain.
According to a 2004 study, out of 93 females, 50 reported headaches from wearing a ponytail. Pain was localized to the hair tie area in 10 cases, while others felt it spread to the vertex (5), forehead (7), parietal region (8), temples (3), neck (5), or other areas (12). Loosening the ponytail relieved pain immediately in 4 cases, within 30 minutes in 32, and within an hour in 5, while 9 were unsure of the duration. Wearing the ponytail more loosely prevented the headache.
Preventing Ponytail Headaches
- Loosen up the Style: Pull your hair into a loose pony or bun rather than keeping it up.
- Change Hairstyles: Switch between loose braids, loose hair, or low ponies.
- Employ Relaxing Accessories: Gentle scrunchies or cotton hair ties stress your hair less than rubber bands.
- Massage and Relax: If you can't wear your hair loose or massage your scalp, that's fine too.
- Hair Follicle Care: Fussy scalp massage with conditioning oils can possibly cause circulation stimulation and soothe sensitivity.
Bottomline
Dr Jain concluded, “Ponytail headache isn't in your mind—it's your scalp complaining: your hairstyle is wearing you out. The solution is simple: unwind. Observing the way you wear your hair back can prevent not just irritation, but even hair and scalp damage in the future.”