When your hair is in pain that can make you feel all sorts of things. The issue can also cause you to wonder what is going on with your hair and why. Itching, burning, and soreness in your scalp, especially when you move your hair is more than just uncomfortable; it’s a sign that something is happening. Your hair is trying to tell you that it’s being pulled too tightly or set in a way that causes the follicle to experience stress at the root which makes your scalp feel sore.
This sensation you’re feeling has a name, and it’s called traction alopecia which is caused by stress on your strands when styling. The condition starts around the temples and front of the hairline in most people since this area is where the pulling starts. Tracked and sewn in hair extensions, intricate braids, man buns, and high ballerina buns (for which the condition was once named) all play a role in permanently thinning hair. The hairstyles that cause the most tension on your scalp are high, slicked back and tightly wound buns, cornrows and anything that pulls hair back from your crown.
Teasing the hair is another common practice that we all participate in to create texture and the illusion of volume when you have fine hair. However, if you’re rough with your tresses as you tease, then you’re only adding stress the root of each hair follicle. The problem here is that when the hair follicle becomes weak and stops responding to growth, that’s it. When you can avoid rough styling, please do. Treat your hair with respect and style with a conscious, gentle hand.