Sensitive head question

smithpaint

My 6yo daughter drives me crazy.  When I try to do her hair you would think I was killing her.  She seems to have the most sensitive head ever.  My other 2 daughters don't complain when I comb their hair so I really don't think it's me.  At the same time, she is so tough - she'll have a toenail ripped off one of her toes and barely fuss about it.  But she'll cry and try to pull away with every tiny tangle when I comb her hair.

Do you or anyone you know have very sensitive hair/head like this?  Any suggestions?  I am to the point of keeping her hair short.  It is a little below her shoulders right now.  My other idea is to make her comb it herself every day instead of me even trying to do it.  I am not sure how good of a job she'll do because when she's combed it before it's not been good - but I guess practice makes perfect.

lrn327

My DH has a very sensitive head.  I used to cut his hair with clippers but quite b/c he'd whine every time!  I'm not entirely sure he was making it all up either!

I, on the other hand, do not have a sensitive head at all.  I do seem to be less sensitive to pain/heat though overall than the average person. 

jillybean800

I was like this as a child. It got to the point where one time I cut barrettes out of my hair with scissors to avoid having them taken out by my mom.  I would go the short hair route! My hair was to my waist by the time I was 3, but I wish my mom would have been more practical because it would have been a lot less crying on my part!

pitterpatter129

I was/am like this too.  It still hurts to have the hairdresser comb my hair.  My mom would get angry with me because I squealed like she was killing me every single day with the hair issues.  First, if you are still using a kid's shampoo, quit.  An adult shampoo with conditioner in it will help a lot with any tiny tangles.  The kid's shampoo seems to make it a lot worse in my opinion.  You just have to be careful rinsing because of course it stings more in your eyes.  We used an adult shampoo on our nieces when they lived with us though and it wasn't ever an issue with the eyes. You can also use a spray leave in conditioner on dry hair.  I would definitely cut it shorter to help with the tangles and possibly trim it more often if you wait awhile between trims to avoid split ends.  Also, make sure you are starting to comb (use a wide toothed comb, not a brush) at the bottom of the hair, not at the top.  Starting at the top just pushes the tangles together and makes it worse.  If you start at the bottom, you can get the little tangles out better first, then work your way up.  That's my two cents about hair tangles.

 

smithpaint

pitterpatter129:

I was/am like this too.  It still hurts to have the hairdresser comb my hair.  My mom would get angry with me because I squealed like she was killing me every single day with the hair issues.  First, if you are still using a kid's shampoo, quit.  An adult shampoo with conditioner in it will help a lot with any tiny tangles.  The kid's shampoo seems to make it a lot worse in my opinion.  You just have to be careful rinsing because of course it stings more in your eyes.  We used an adult shampoo on our nieces when they lived with us though and it wasn't ever an issue with the eyes. You can also use a spray leave in conditioner on dry hair.  I would definitely cut it shorter to help with the tangles and possibly trim it more often if you wait awhile between trims to avoid split ends.  Also, make sure you are starting to comb (use a wide toothed comb, not a brush) at the bottom of the hair, not at the top.  Starting at the top just pushes the tangles together and makes it worse.  If you start at the bottom, you can get the little tangles out better first, then work your way up.  That's my two cents about hair tangles.

 

Thank you so much for your input.  I will have to switch to different shampoo and try some of your other suggestions!

smithpaint

jillybean800:

I was like this as a child. It got to the point where one time I cut barrettes out of my hair with scissors to avoid having them taken out by my mom.  I would go the short hair route! My hair was to my waist by the time I was 3, but I wish my mom would have been more practical because it would have been a lot less crying on my part!

It's good to know that it's a real issue and not just her over reacting.  It sounds like you kind of outgrew this issue too which gives me hope for the future with her. 

missmuffin87

I totally had a sensitive scalp as a kid. My mom made me keep my hair so long I would sit on it and had to be careful it didn't fall in the toilet and I couldn't reach to brush it myself. I would scream every morning when she brushed it and she would get so frustrated, but still she wouldn't let me cut it. I was seriously excited when I got lice in 6th grade and had to get it cut to shoulder length. 

Ive found that a lot depends on the type of hairbrush you use. I really like my flat paddle brush that I got at Walmart. It has a squishy gel handle too. I use a mini version of it to brush hazels hair, but she must have a sensitive scalp too because she always fusses when I try to brush it. 

jillybean800

smithpaint:

jillybean800:

I was like this as a child. It got to the point where one time I cut barrettes out of my hair with scissors to avoid having them taken out by my mom.  I would go the short hair route! My hair was to my waist by the time I was 3, but I wish my mom would have been more practical because it would have been a lot less crying on my part!

It's good to know that it's a real issue and not just her over reacting.  It sounds like you kind of outgrew this issue too which gives me hope for the future with her. 

I did outgrow it, but want to know something weird? It came back when I got pregnant with A and it hurts ever since.  I can't stand to get my hair cut for the past 2 years. It makes me cry.