Quite often in the salon, I have people with very sensitive hair follicles. They are the first to tell you that their head is very sensitive and I believe them but I also have a job to do. A hair stylist with no time management is a starving hair stylist as far as I know. We do not have the time to comb a head of hair one strand at a time, much to the dismay of said client. Sometimes if they are on the phone I have to ask them to calm down on the moaning in case the caller gets any ideas! But what causes someone to get very sensitive hair follicles?
You can get very sensitive hair follicles from the following:
- Not Combing or Brushing Regularly: If you neglect to comb or brush your hair regularly, your scalp can become very tender and start hurting when touched. Ladies who often braid their hair regularly with no break between installs can have this problem.
- Not Washing Regularly: If you are not washing your hair on at least a weekly basis, your scalp can become tender. If you must do this under certain circumstances, e.g. starting dreads, it will correct itself eventually when it starts locking. What I am talking about are people who do not wash the hair to preserve a hairstyle.
- Hair Extensions: Adding hair extensions, e.g. braids or weaves that are too tight can pull on the hair and cause sensitivity.
- Chemical Services: Some chemical services such as relaxers can cause sensitivity over time.
Clients who have very sensitive hair follicles have to be prepared to massage their heads on a daily basis. Brushing with either a paddle or a boar bristle brush depending on the hair type helps stimulate the scalp. Though painful at first, over time the scalp improves.
By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design
Buy my e-book: Dreadlocks: A Hairstylist’s Manifest (Silkielocks.com/Amazon.com)
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