How To Relieve Pain From Tight Braids And Soothe In 2025 – 7 Easy Steps

Here at That Sister we’re supported by you, our sisters. If you buy via a link on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This doesn’t cost you anything & it doesn’t influence the products we talk about.
Want to know how to relieve pain from tight braids? Well you’ve come to the right place, as I’ll be showing you how to soothe that sore scalp. 🙂
Braids are awesome! Once you get plaited and take a look in the mirror, you’re likely pleased with the new look…
That is until the immense pain strikes in! Whether the pain starts immediately after being plaited, after some time or when you go to sleep, bottom line is you can’t bear the pain.
This pain is caused by tight braids. But how to relieve it, you ask?
Simple, loosen the braids by using some or all of the 7 easy steps listed below. Share these steps with your friends if you find them useful. 🙂
Contents
Step 1: Don’t Wear Your Braids Up
Once you get your hair braided, wear it down for a couple of days. This will loosen up the tension and reduce pressure on your scalp. Holding your hair up will apply more tension to the root hairs and increase the amount of pain you’re feeling.
It can also cause permanent damage by ripping out your hair from the roots. There are a couple of comfortable ways of holding your braids down.
Experiment with a few styles and settle with the one that works best for you. If your hair dresser tries to hold your braids up in a bun, stop them from doing that.
If they already did, remove the bun as soon as you get home and you will feel the difference right away.
Step 2: Use A Pencil To Loosen Tight Braids
You can loosen your braids by using a pencil or some other cylindrical shaped object. Stick the cylindrical object or pencil into the center of the braids one at a time.
You can use a skewer or another thin object to loosen smaller braids. A comb can also come in handy when loosening braids that are closer to the scalp.
This process requires a lot of patience and can take a while, though it’s usually easier in 4b hair. If you have someone to help you do this, the better.
Step 3: Loosen Your Hair With A Shower
Taking a shower will allow you to loosen up the tight braids and reduce the pain. However, you should know that running water through your braids will shorten their lifespan, but it’s much better than having your head burning in pain.
Take either a warm or cold shower. Cold water will bring relief almost instantly, while warm water will open up the hair shaft, making your hair more elastic and loose.
While the water runs through your head, rub your head gently at the base of the braids. Once you’re done, pat your braids gently with a dry towel, then let your hair dry naturally.
An alternative to showering is applying moist heat directly on the braids. You can do this using a hot moist towel or a steamer.
When using a towel, you should place it in warm water and then wrap it gently around your head. Let the towel stay there for one hour before removing it.
As for the hair steamer, sit under it and direct the steam to your braids. Both methods work in the same way as the shower.
Step 4: Use Leave-In Conditioner To Sooth Your Braided Scalp
Leave-in conditioner offers relief and reduces the tightness of the braids. However, you should be careful not to apply too much leave-in conditioner.
This will lead to accumulation of too much oil, leaving you with an oily scalp. To measure the right amount, use your fingers to apply small drops of conditioner to the base of each braid.
This will soothe your sore scalp and make the braids not feel as tight. You can check the best ones to buy here.
I pat my head not to hard but soft, and pat it enough that it will go away.
It worked good idea Kennedy.
You should rub your fingers on your scalp with some leave in conditioner. Plus you should also do that because a healthy scalp contributes to your brain relaxing instead of it over reacting, and it gives you a longer lifetime.
Does the conditioner make your hair come out of the braids? Does it make your hair look old fast?
Yes and it also smooths out your braids. To answer your other question, no.
No it does not.
Thank you Kennedy. That worked for me. I thought I had to take them down but the patting worked for me also. Thanks a bunch. I have a tender head and everytime I get braids I have to take them back down. A waste of money but this time I tried your remedy and it actually worked. Thanks dear.
What to do for corn rolls so tight?
Thanks for the tip, Kennnedy.
This really did work. I have been tossing and turning for over an hour and decided to search the web for solutions and this one worked best for me. Thanks.
Worked for me too, thanks!
What helped you?
Thanks Kennedy, it really calmed my head down. Thank you again.
I used the Suave Shea Butter leave-in conditioner and experienced immediate relief. Then I used a damp, warm towel and voila! Black girl magic!
Almost instant relief!
It helps for me too. A shower is the best, it cools off the pain.
Ty girl
This made my head hurt more.
I’m shocked that worked! I didn’t doubt it, but it sounded a little silly. Thanks so much Kennedy, this helped a bunch! I was about to sleep without anything on my head to relieve the pain and waste 80 bucks, but this helped! Thanks!!
That works to
Thanks kennedy it really worked !
Does patting your sore head actually work? Because if so I’m trying that now.
It stops the itch.
It worked!
Oooo yes that helped a lot I’m going to keep doing that and get my Qredew to steam them bad girls into relaxation because my roots are killing me.
Trying this now. I’m so much pain (faux locs).
Moan and Advil Pm. Plus braid spray lol.
I took pain medicine and sprayed warm water on my scalp to help too.
I just deal with it lol. Joke. I will kinda rub it gently it helps A LOT.
Wow those step actually work!
Thanks alot Kennedy.
Every time, I say NEVER AGAIN … but what did Brandy say about saying never? 🙁
Lemme reach for that Advil
You should spray it with olive oil sheen.
Yes I do this too.
I just used regular “extra virgin olive oil” thank God my mother in law is Italian and she had some in her cupboard. INSTANT relief! This white girl was dying for three days! Lol.
I just got faux locks installed and OMG I been home 20 minutes and the front of my head is killing me!!! HELP😈😈😈😈😢😢😢😢
Just pat your head or use a pencil. Try to have something cover your brads at night.
Same but this is day three and I can’t do it.
If it’s day three and they sill hurt, take them out because they should loosen up on the second day.
Tea tree oil works for me.
Olive oil sheen definitely helped a lot and also a hot wet towel over my head.
Thanks Apryl, your suggestion to use the olive oil sheen was a life saver. Thanks for helping a gal out before I totally lost my mind and took off my new braids – lol.
All I did was take my braids out of the ponytail and left it out for my head to breathe lol😂
Also just greasing the scalp soothes it!
Thank you for sharing. This was most helpful!
You should spray it with garniner fructis style that’s all I use.
I just got my hair braided yesterday at 12:30pm and now this morning at 3am I am unable to sleep. The braids are entirely too tight, I am literally on the verge if tears. I want to take them down but can’t because I paid $290 to get them done and I’ve been wanting them forever. I think I regret it. But getting to the point, I’m hoping these tips work 😭
How’d your hair come out. Send a photo, that’s so expensive!
I concur. I picked up my daughter from her mother earlier today. It’s 3 am and she was in pain from the braids she received. She couldn’t sleep. I was almost about to take the braids out myself because my baby was in so much pain. She was trying to sleep sitting up! I am up at 3am googling ‘how can a concerned dad relieve braid stress’, lol! the hot towel worked really well and now she is asleep, snoring and I’m wide awake!! Thanks a million for the article.
I feel you. My daughter was in tears. I never had braids but I wanted a protective style for soccer. I was about to take them out. Read about the hot towel. I had already added oil and given her Motrin. She said the relief was instant.
WOW!! You are a FABULOUS Father!!! I know this was over a year ago. I got knotless braids yesterday. They are light as a feather and look Fabulous! Try these on your Daughter.
You regret when you first get your braids but when a week passes you will love them. I got my hair done last night and it’s the next day. I couldn’t sleep either but in a week I will love them.
Thanks I so needed this advice tonight.
I have a sew in I didn’t realize how tight it was. It hurt and throb so bad. I tried leave in conditioner and ibuprofen. Worked for a little while. I can’t even sleep. Help!
I’m with you Thina, every time I say, this is the last time I’m getting braids I always go back for more. Now I’m sitting here with Goddess Locs about to cry from pain 😭 I use tons of Leave In Conditioner (the spray kind) I’m going to try the warm towel method next week though. This is my last time FR.
My head hurts sooooooooooooooo much. Can someone please tell me a way to get my braids loose that actually works.
Goody Powder.
You have to take a shower, let the water run on you hair and then put the leave in conditioner in your hair.
Take your leave in conditioner and put it in the freezer then after 5-10 minutes spray your roots, it relieves the pain and burn, it cools your scalp!
I told my mom to do this because I was in a lot of pain. I put the leave in conditioner in there for 5-10 minutes and instantly I was great again thank you so much Jaynisha.
I just get in the shower and it help plus ADVIL & PAINKILLERS. 🙂
Just take the hair out chile.
I always get my hair braided ever since I was six and it hurt all the time, now it gets better I can handle it but it’s still terrible. 😑. This article helps a lot. Thx.
Thanks i just got my hair braided and it’s so painful. Sleeping is almost impossible.
Please I have a question, no hate… ever since I was young, the schools I went too was a co-ed with many nationalities. I loved the beautiful different styles of braids and dreads, my favorite are the spaghetti dreads (I think that’s what they are called – if not educate me please). I have always wanted my hair with double dreads and extensions of color. Yes I am a white girl! But I was looking for answers on how to prepare the scalp and hair for better longer results. Thank you for all of your time.
No.
No. Spaghetti dreads, girl bye. More research is required and absolutely necessary. When you feel like you’ve learned something, come back and the answer will then be no.
I’ve got rainbow box braids with cornrows in the front and I love them! I’m considered white but I am mixed. I have only received compliments. I hope you’re not tender headed! I’m not at all but my scalp was on fire so much the first night.
My head is in so much pain I can’t even sleep with these damn braids….. omg!!
Same over here, try the patting method but don’t pat to hard.
I got my hair braided yesterday. The style is going to the side with thick braids. They are so tight, my head feel like it’s going to bust. Please help me find a solution to this problem. Thank you.
Cathy if you have a cover for your braids get it and put it over your braids or just go swimming the water losses it.
There called lemonade braids .
It really just hurts around the edges.
That’s exactly what I got yesterday & I can’t sleep the pain is unbearable 😫😫😫
I got my hair braided (twist) on 3/12 and I’m a very tender headed woman. They got tighter when I got home. I couldn’t sleep and when I take the rubber band off the weight of them hanging down is HORRIBLE!! I’m seriously considering taking them out. $160 down the drain.
Exactly! Same situation here! I’ve had weaves in the past and this pain is worse. I felt better when I took the elastic out, but yes the pain of them hanging is horrible. I tied my head down with a silk scarf and it feels much much better now.
That’s what is happening to me right now I am considering just taking them down.
My head is hurting so bad, I can’t sleep someone pray for me.
I got faux locs done and the pain was intense. The hair was stunning but it came at a price for a few days. I massaged it in with Shea butter and took pain relievers and the pain subsided on the first day. I’m not too keen on taking drugs so I kept massaging only until it felt better.
Hope this helps 🙂
Yo, sisters. My head was hurting so badly just a couple seconds ago so I looked up how to relieve the pain from braids, found this page and I just tried wrapping my hair and it worked somewhat. 😀
I mean, it’s still a little sore but at least I can sleep on it without the pure pain and anguish.
I took a big, long scarf (light weight one) and put it between the back of my neck and the hair, laid the hair flat down (no ponytails or nothing) and wrapped it gently a couple of times and tied it, now I can lay on it!! I’m going to try the shower thing tomorrow and I already have my leave in conditioner spray in the fridge.
Hope I helped some of you beautiful sisters out there. God bless. 🙂
I have tried everything that you guys have said and my head still feels like a wounded animal.😣
These braids are killing me can’t even relax.
None of the methods worked for me, my head still hurts.
Same here, haven’t slept for the whole night. I am even planning on going to get some painkillers later.
Thanks Kennedy it worked for me.
I have a braided bob. The young lady who braided was heavy handed I’m hurting so much what can I do? Please help me.
I got my hair braided April 14th. I put it up in a bun but it started hurting even more, so I took bun down. I used Apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water and tee tre oil to stop the itching and sprayed some Jamaican mango and lime no more itch Gro spray. It help to relieve the pain and stop the itching. Thanks to Kennedy’s advice on patting my head lightly, now I’m able to sleep.
I️ got my hair into box braids for the first time in my life today and I’m crying. I’ve taken 2 ibuprofen and I️ have a newborn baby who needs so much attention. This pain is killing me!! Please can someone help?
Numbing spray or cream is the answer. I got braids and couldn’t sleep. 1am I was in WalMart, pain was gone in less than 10 minutes.
What kind of numbing spray and cream did you get? This is my favorite answer so far.
I would also like to know what kind of numbing spray and which cream?
What’s the name of this numbing spray? I am not the best at styling my hair so I’ve been getting braids. I also do not like a lot of heat on my hair.
Did an okay braid pattern…installed the Brazilian body, looks natural, but damn this weave is pulling on my edges like nobody’s business!! Beauty is pain.
The hot water helps! I didn’t want wet braids, I used a wash cloth and applied to my scalp. Oh! what a relief from the pain.
Thanks so much. Now I can get some sleep!
Wild Growth oil works wonders immediately 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
I am mixed with curly soft hair. I got box braids for the first time and I’m very tender headed. My cousin told me that she didn’t even grip them the way she normally does. I can’t imagine what her other clients have to say but I noticed that keeping them out for a few days helps and massaging your scalp with coconut oil really helped too. Taking a hot shower loosens them a little. My scalp is not as sore as it was, and I can lay on my head.
I took a hot towel and put it on my head.
Patting your head helps out a lot.
There are actually braiders who can braid securely without all the unnecessary tension. It costs a little bit more but for me, it is so worth it. My braider can put my Senegalese twists in a bun on top of my head with no pain. I only experience tenderness of my scalp because I’m tender headed in general. My stylist has referred any of her clients to this group of braiders because they protect our edges with their technique.
Name please!!!!
I think it is s shame that we have to go through all of this just to have a nice braided look. If a hairstylist did this to someone of a different ethnicity they would probably be sued for pain and suffering. Why don’t the braiders look out for us? Is our hair health not important?
Oh my goodness, I could not agree more.
This is my first time with box braides. They look so good on me but I couldn’t even turn my head around as I drove home. Sleep is a luxury tonight. I’ve been awake all night. Now my body is also in agony. I’m going to pat lightly and then apply cool refrigerated spray. Hope it works.
Try a Goody Powder next time. It always works for me! With in minutes!
Thank you That Sister! Got kinky twists yesterday. Didn’t sleep last night. The advice here works. Thanks lovely ladies!
This is my first time with Senegalese twists! The back of my head feels so heavy!! I have natural mid back hair and my crochet are waist level. Patting isn’t working 😭 but the braids look so good 😞. Help!
I’m getting braids tomorrow. I’m going to try numbing spray, maximum strength pain killers, and hot towels.
Also, going to make sure I have a good meal before I go. I tend to forget to eat, which makes everything worse.
Wish me luck!
I got my faus locks done yesterday and I couldn’t sleep a wink all night. I literally had my heard twisted to one side where it hurt most. I tried a hot shower, pat down and hot oil treatment this morning and I feel better. The locks are still heavy though. How much longer do I have to wait for this horrible pain to pass?😢
Got my hair braided yesterday and my night was horrible. Couldn’t sleep at all because the braids were too tight. I’m trying the patting method right now so I hope it works. Please say a prayer for me because this is very painful.
I had faux locs in today. My stylist did a great job but tight scalp. Sprayed with braid spray when I got home. Then under a medium temp conditioning hood for a few hours. Tenderness nearly all gone.
I got lemonade braids and the place where all the braids started was tight and throbbing. I used a pencil to loosen it but it’s still red and painful and I’m afraid that when I take it out I’ll have a bald spot. Any tips?
Hey Natalie,
I know I’m replying now. Just saw the article and needed help too. I read the article and the tips helps.
I got the African Pride olive miracle braid sheen spray. I used a paper clip to loosen my braids. I sectioned my hair off and used the spray, then loosened my braids with the paper clip. Try this.
Just got my hair braided last night could barely sleep and was in horrible pain all day today and last night. Tried the pat technique and hot shower, letting the water run down my scalp and braids. Major relief. Thanks.
You have all just talked me out of getting braids!
I haven’t had braids in a long time and I recently got some box braids yesterday so I’m going to try the patting method and a warm shower because that seems to work the best from the comment section. Hopefully this works. My birthday is tomorrow and I don’t want to be in agony 😂
Got my hair in Senegalese twists yesterday. Up at 1am in so much pain. The patting method helped some. Going to try the warm towel next.
I got triangle braids four days ago and it’s a miracle I am still alive. It looks so good on me but it’s expensive. I really don’t know what to do. I have literally tried the processes above but no changes. I need help.
Thanks for the tips ladies! I just got some twists done yesterday with the rubber band method for the first time. They look beautiful, but boy are they tight! Managed to get 5 hours sleep laying down, but woke in pain. Defo trying the hot towel, cold spray and goodie powders.
So it’s 11:01pm and I’m in pain. I got my hair done yesterday and couldn’t sleep. When I woke up I felt a little better. I hope these methods work because I feel like all my hair is about to fall out and I don’t even have weave🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
The way I solved my pain was spraying my entire head with warm water then rubbing my scalp gently, then doing the same thing one more time. Next I took a towel and sprayed it down with warm water then tied it around my head. Last I put on a shower cap (or u can use a bonnet).
Thank you got the tips to relieve me of my braiding pain. The tea tree oil and an ice pack provided me some much needed relief. I was in a lot of pain at 4 a.m. The second day was worse than the first!
Today I got small lemonade braids and soon as I got in the car my head was hurting. I tried a hot wet towel, a cold wet towel, patting, ice, rubbing, and nothing is working.
Oh thank the lord, I am not alone! I was beginning to think I was the only one who experienced such pain! The second day for me is the worst! I have to take Benadryl and pain medication!
I got long box braids, I’m 7 months pregnant and I’m in so much pain. Not only are they painful but oh so heavy. Please help. Can I get them cut shorter now or is it too late?
Coconut oil, warm water spray and pain pills. It’s not only the tension, the scalp is dry as well which makes it worse. Keeping the scalp moisturized is key! Oil first, then spray warm water to lock in moisture. I do this for about 3 days then oil every other day with spray.
I put my head in warm/hot bath water, got some peppermint tea tree oil warm in the microwave squirt through my scalp and sprayed a little oil sheen. My head still hurts but not as bad as the first two nights. Wear your hair down.
Rewind, Monday I got my hair done, didn’t sleep all night. Unbearable pain I ran warm/hot bath water put my whole head in. Tuesday I took Tylenol and slept all day. Wednesday I got the oil I mentioned and let my hair stay down. I had been wearing it in a saggy bun because it seem to help but no, it’s better to wear it down.
Ladies, get the New and Popular Knotless Braids. I got them yesterday and I made sure she was extra gentle to all my edges and I absolutely love them. I have zero pain!
You are absolutely right about the knotless braids! It costs a little bit more but it’s so worth it. No more pain. Period!
I took an ice cube and rubbed it all over my scalp and I got instant relief. I felt so much better, try the ice cube ladies it works.
Hey ladies and gentlemen,
I love this and used some of them. I got box braids (not my whole head, just the top since I have a fade) the day before yesterday. Stylist put my hair up after braiding. A relief. But I took the ponytail down and I was in hell. Hurt like hell to sleep. This evening I tried the tips. I have faux hair in, so I was skeptical of putting the hair in water. Tried the other methods. I sectioned my hair off, and started working on the front. Spraying African Pride’s olive miracle braid sheen spray (life saver) then using a paper clip (extended) to loosen the top of the braid. It worked. I am sitting here now, after about half an hour, shaken my head back and forth because there isn’t any more pain. Please try the method. Also, it will take time when your doing this process for your hair to feel better. Loosely shake your braids. I had my head down while doing this and shook my head around to loosen the braids. Relax your scalp, this helps get used to the stinging pain and relax the hair follicles.
Much love.
I plan to get cornrows I already know from past experience I will have discomfort. I just ordered Dr. Numb it’s a numbing cream. I heard it works wonders. I will let you all know how it works.
The parting helps a little but I suggest steaming and a cold ice pack.
*patting not parting.
My braids hurt so bad sometimes, I find it hard to turn or raise my neck.
I cornrowed my own head to wear a wig but as I’m not skilled at doing them, my scalp hurts. Any suggestions to perfect my technique? I’m a beginner and really want to learn.
I take Motrin before I even sit down to get my braids. Take more pain reliever as prescribed on bottle. Usually 4-6 hours later. Your head is inflamed so Benadryl works in the evening for inflammation and helps you sleep. Steam your scalp and oil it. I always tell my braiders not to make it to tight. I communicate, if I feel they are braiding too tight I tell them. They always ease up.
I got faux locs today. Man oh man, my head is on fire. I will try the hot water compress. I hope it helps, will let you know.
I got faux locs in a few hours ago and for someone with a relatively high tolerance for pain, I legit might break down in tears any second now. I’m trying the patting thing but when does patting hard become ‘too hard’? I need the fastest remedy that doesn’t involve drenching my head in water ASAP Please help a sister out!
Just got box braids on Saturday, when I arrived home my head was burning. The pain got worse on Sunday evening and I told myself that I’ll never get box braids again. Couldn’t sleep at all and woke up at 5am on Monday morning. Three days have gone by and I’m still in pain. This is not normal. I don’t know about you all but I’m never putting myself through that torture again.
Thanks Kennedy, within seconds my baby fell off to sleep. You’re a star. Thanks a lot.
I get the knotless cornrows or lemonade braids and I am very tender headed. Fortunately I found a braider who has a light hand. I ask the braider to put my part on the side, so the area where all the braids pull from always hurts. I’ve been getting braids for years and the following tips always work:
1. I take 800mg Ibuprofen right before the appointment.
2. I use the lightest weight braiding hair I can find.
3. I use a hot wet towel and press on the painful areas.
4. I plug in my heating pad and lay with the pad on my head (I try to put it directly in the scalp and press down).
5. I put oil at the root of each braid – one by one and repeat as necessary.
6. I’ve used the pencil or paper clip method to loosen each braid.
7. When in bed, I lay face down for the first few nights.
8. The “head squeeze” massage is good.
9. In dire circumstances, I put my head in the kitchen sink and use the water spray nozzle to get into the braid roots. This can fuzz up the hair a bit.
10. I take a sleeping pill or a tylenol pm type product the first few nights.
Aye Kennedy you’re the truth ma’am thank you for your advice.