1. Invite them to get a cookie with you, your treat. This is a nonverbal way of communicating that they are a valuable person to you and that you like them. Feeling valuable to you will likely make them more likely to listen to you instead of getting defensive. You could say something like:

Hey do you want a cookie? My treat.

2. After getting the treat state your problem. Make it your problem, not theirs:

Hey I've got this thing were I really don't like my hair touched. I know it's odd, but for whatever reason I just really really don't like it.

3. Define the boundary and ask them to respect it.

Could I ask you to please not touch my hair anymore? I know it's a little odd, but I would really appreciate it if you stopped.

4. Stand firm. Even a good friend may test you to see how serious you are. If they try to touch it again, sternly but not angrily tell them you are serious. Don't use the word "please".

Don't touch my hair. I'm serious.

5. Enforce the boundary.

If they still continue to touch your hair, don't say anything else, just turn around and walk away.

1. Invite them to get a cookie with you, your treat. This is a nonverbal way of communicating that they are a valuable person to you and that you like them. Feeling valuable to you will likely make them more likely to listen to you instead of getting defensive. You could say something like:

   Hey do you want a cookie? My treat.

2. After getting the treat state your problem. Make it your problem, not theirs:

   Hey I've got this thing were I really don't like my hair touched. I know it's odd, but for whatever reason I just really really don't like it.

3. Define the boundary and ask them to respect it.

   Could I ask you to please not touch my hair anymore? I know it's a little odd, but I would really appreciate it if you stopped.

4. Stand firm. Even a good friend may test you to see how serious you are. If they try to touch it again, sternly but not angrily tell them you are serious. Don't use the word "please".

   Don't touch my hair. I'm serious.

5. Enforce the boundary.

   If they still continue to touch your hair, don't say anything else, just turn around and walk away.

Many of the answer assume your being bullied, however from your question I got the feel that they were friends who just haven't learned to respect your boundaries yet.

From my limited perspective I would say you have two options. Ignore the hair touching behavior or enforce boundaries.

In your case I would recommend the second option enforcing boundaries. I personally think this is the healthiest option in the long run for both you and your friends.

  However You specifically stated you didn't want to confront them. So really your only option then is to ignore the behavior.

in 2nd Grade I had a bully who bothered me so much that it made me physically ill. At least that's what my mother tells me. I remember the bully but not being sick about it. My Dad and Mom sat me down and told me to ignore the bully. If you don't give a bully a reaction they won't get the entertainment they are looking for and will leave you alone. It took over a month, but before that year was out the Bully stoped bothering me.

I would like to offer a reframe if I may? Clearly explaining your boundaries (what is ok for physical touch for you). doesn't have to be a confrontation. If you stay calm I think it could be a good growing experience for your friends, and (assuming they basically decent people) a good experience for you as well.

1. invite them to get a cookie with you, your treat. This is a nonverbal way of communicating that they are a valuable person to you and that you like them. Feeling valuable to you will likely make them more likely to listen to you instead of getting defensive. You could say something like:

hey do you want a cookie? My treat.

2. After getting the treat state your problem, make it your problem not theirs

Hey I've got this thing were I really don't like my hair touched. I know it's odd, but for whatever reason I just really really don't like it.

Could I ask you to please not touch my hair anymore. I know it's a little odd, but I would really appreciate it if you stopped.

4. Stand firm. Even a good friend may test you to see how serious you are. If they try to touch it again Sternly but not angrily tell them you are serious. Don't you the word please.

Don't touch my hair. I'm serious.

5. enforce the boundary.

If they still continue to touch your hair. Don't say anything else just turn around and walk away.

You don't have to stay away forever the next time you see the smile warmly and say hi. Ask how they are doing. If they try to touch your your don't say anything just turn around and walk away. You should only have to do this a couple of times for them to realize you are serious and to stop. If they don't stop. well then you know something new about them, and I would guess should look for new friends.

Many of the answers assume you're being bullied, however from your question I got the feeling that they were friends who just haven't learned to respect your boundaries yet.

From my limited perspective I would say you have two options: Ignore the hair touching behavior or enforce boundaries.

In your case I would recommend the second option, enforcing boundaries. I personally think this is the healthiest option in the long run for both you and your friends. However you specifically stated you didn't want to confront them. So really your only option then is to ignore the behavior.

In 2nd grade I had a bully who bothered me so much that it made me physically ill. At least that's what my mother tells me. I remember the bully but not being sick about it. My Dad and Mom sat me down and told me to ignore the bully. If you don't give a bully a reaction, they won't get the entertainment they are looking for and will leave you alone. It took over a month, but before that year was out the bully stopped bothering me.

I would like to offer a reframe if I may? Clearly explaining your boundaries (what is ok for physical touch for you). doesn't have to be a confrontation. If you stay calm, I think it could be a good growing experience for your friends, and (assuming they are basically decent people) a good experience for you as well.

1. Invite them to get a cookie with you, your treat. This is a nonverbal way of communicating that they are a valuable person to you and that you like them. Feeling valuable to you will likely make them more likely to listen to you instead of getting defensive. You could say something like:

Hey do you want a cookie? My treat.

2. After getting the treat state your problem. Make it your problem, not theirs:

Hey I've got this thing were I really don't like my hair touched. I know it's odd, but for whatever reason I just really really don't like it.

Could I ask you to please not touch my hair anymore? I know it's a little odd, but I would really appreciate it if you stopped.

4. Stand firm. Even a good friend may test you to see how serious you are. If they try to touch it again, sternly but not angrily tell them you are serious. Don't use the word "please".

Don't touch my hair. I'm serious.

5. Enforce the boundary.

If they still continue to touch your hair, don't say anything else, just turn around and walk away.

You don't have to stay away forever. The next time you see them, smile warmly and say hi. Ask how they are doing. If they try to touch your hair, don't say anything, just turn around and walk away. You should only have to do this a couple of times for them to realize you are serious and to stop. If they don't stop, well then you know something new about them, and I would guess you should look for new friends.