Why Does My Scalp Hurt? Causes + Expert-Approved Natural Fixes

Scalp pain or tension can be a strange sensation to identify. It's not necessarily a headache or a wound but instead is more of an uncomfortable feeling that can itch, ache, tingle, or burn. Though the source of the pain may be something as obvious as heat from a hairdryer or tension from a too-tight ponytail, there are also all kinds of underlying factors that come into play such as stress or product buildup. Keep scrolling to learn more about where scalp tension may be coming from and how you can resolve it.

There are a variety of conditions, environmental factors, and hairstyles that can cause different kinds of scalp tension and pain:

No matter what's causing it, just buildup, in general, can lead to scalp inflammation. This can cause pain, itching, and overall discomfort.

Certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology William Gaunitz further explains, "depending on how tight a ponytail or braids can be, it can produce inflammatory tugging that will result in scarring and traction alopecia as well as scalp pain and tenderness." However, he points out that this reaction would only occur after "extraordinary tension over long periods of time" due to the disruption it would create in the hair cycle. 

There's no denying that stress can wreak havoc on your physical health, affecting everything from your skin to your gut. Now we can also add the scalp to that ever-growing list.

Just like people clench their jaws or hunch their shoulders when they become stressed, there are also muscles in the scalp that can tense up during stressful times. The largest is the temporalis muscle, which runs from behind your ear, around your head, and to the back. When carrying stress, you may be tightening these muscles, which can cause a "stiff scalp."

It's easy to zone out when you're styling your hair the same way every day. When this happens, you may notice the air from your blow dryer quickly warming a certain area of your scalp. Or perhaps you start to feel the heat from your curling rod making its way to your scalp. "Burning your scalp with a hot blow dryer or styling iron can definitely cause scalp pain," Toth tells us. Luckily the solution is simple: "You don't need to get that close to your scalp with hot tools."

Beyond just buildup, there are other scalp and skin care conditions that can lead to painful inflammation. Gaunitz says some common conditions include seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and dandruff. Both seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis can cause scaly patches and red skin. Meanwhile, seborrheic dermatitis can also incite stubborn dandruff, which is skin on the scalp flaking off.

Once you're able to identify where the scalp tension and pain is coming from, you'll want to do your best to relieve it. The solution could be as easy as loosening your hairstyle or giving yourself a regular scalp massage. But if you're struggling to identify the issue, you may need to seek professional help.

For braids, you'll want to make sure you're being careful with how tight you're pulling while you're styling. As board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D., once told us, "Beauty should never be painful." For more tips on braid care, check out this guide.

While there are the physical exfoliant scalp scrubs that use sea salt or sugar mixed with essential oils, this may further irritate inflammation and cause even more pain. That's where chemical exfoliants like tea tree oil and salicylic acid can come in handy. As an astringent, tea tree oil is a great ingredient to remove and prevent buildup with equally beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. As for salicylic acid, it's a beta-hydroxy acid that removes excess oil and dead cells that can cause irritation, flaking, or dandruff.

All you have to do is use the pads of your fingers to apply medium to hard pressure on your scalp and move around in circular motions. If you want to invest in tools for this, there are different scalp massagers that can be used regularly in the shower. Meanwhile, Gaunitz also recommends using a gua sha stone. (Here are the best gua sha stones on the market, if you're interested.)

If the scalp pain and tension goes beyond a tight hairstyle or stress that can be relieved through a regular scalp massage, you may want to talk to a dermatologist, hairstylist, or other professional to get their expert assistance. This will become especially necessary if you're dealing with skin or scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.  

There are a lot of reasons your scalp and hair might feel a bit tender—and many are not that big of an alarm. Just use it as a gentle reminder to pay attention to that precious and delicate skin on the top of your head.