Scalp pain: why does it hurt?
Hair pain is not just a caustic expression used the day after a night of heavy drinking. It is in fact a very real pain, which many people suffer from. The cause: the scalp, an often neglected area, which deserves to be pampered more often than not!
Scalp pain: symptoms
In general, it is rather difficult to ignore a sore scalp. And for good reason, the symptoms, which can be numerous, leave no room for doubt: itching, tightness, pain to the touch, sensitive roots, feeling of dryness, appearance of dandruff.
Why does my scalp hurt?
The causes of pain are multiple:
It can be directly linked to the fragility of the skin in general, to the very nature of the scalp, which is too dry and lacks suppleness, or to an imbalance in the production of sebum.
An aggressive hair routine can also sensitize the scalp. We are thinking here of excessive use of heating appliances, chemical hair products or even a metal brush.
When it comes to hair, it's best to avoid repeated blow-drying, coloring and extensions. Also, forget about hairstyles that are too tight.
Nutritional deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, iron) and food allergies also cause a painful scalp.
Stress and external aggressions such as pollution, sun and chlorine are also not innocent in sensitizing the scalp.
Finally, hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, menstruation) or pathologies (seborrheic dermatitis, Horton's disease, Arnold's neuralgia, eczema, psoriasis, cramps in the piloerection muscle, poor blood circulation and inflammation of the blood vessels of the scalp) can weaken the scalp.
Scalp pain: treatments
Fortunately, most of the time the pain disappears just by changing your habits:
1. Wash your hair gently
Before shampooing, apply natural care and gently massage the scalp to stimulate blood circulation, soften it, eliminate dandruff and soothe itching. We perform the massage in the shower, using vegetable oil or essential oil and a brush with large, soft bristles.
Regarding washing itself, space out your shampoos so as not to dry out your scalp, ban harsh chemical shampoos and conditioners, such as anti-dandruff shampoos, and avoid dry shampoos. The powder in the latter tends to clog the follicles and retain sweat and bacteria. As a result, it itches!
We favor natural shampoos and conditioners, adapted to your hair type, or shampoos and conditioners dedicated to sensitive scalps. We rely on products composed of panthenol and betaine, for their calming effect, and vitamin B5, which creates a protective and moisturizing film on the scalp.
Rinse thoroughly to remove any residue removed by the shampoo, which could turn into dandruff, and air dry.
2. Take your foot off the gas on chemical treatments
Straightening, coloring, perms, Brazilian smoothing… we put all that on hold!
We are turning to natural products, such as plant-based or henna colorings.
3. A new brush for a new life
No more metal brushes, opt for a brush made of vegetable silk or boar bristles to massage the scalp while distributing the sebum over the lengths. The idea is to avoid creating a sebum blockage on the scalp.
4. Adapt your hairstyle
We ban hairstyles that are too tight and strands that are too slicked back, which sensitize the follicles: macaroons, high ponytails, ballerina buns, etc. We replace traditional elastics with corkscrew elastics, which pull less on the hair. Finally, we stop extensions, weaves and heavy additions like braids or dreads.
If despite everything you continue to have pain, then you should think about having blood tests and consulting your doctor. A course of magnesium and food supplements, with a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, and a specific drug treatment, can then put an end to painful scalp.
