Article by Pam Moore
Image @melissaswardrobe
Nearly all of us have bought into the ‘edges of fleek’ trend. From repurposing toothbrushes to slick down our baby hairs to pulling our hair back tightly to create a sleek chignon, we’re not shy of manipulating our hair to create different styles. It’s all well and good pulling out the edge control until one day you look in the mirror and bam! Those edges are starting to look a little thin and non-existent.
Out of all the things that can go wrong with our hair, losing your edges has to be up there as one of the worst! Not only is it noticeable, but sometimes the damage can result in permanent hair loss.
The most common cause of thinning edges is hairstyles that are too tight. The constant pursuit of a slick bun or feed-in braids before that girls trip can cause tension on the hairline by pulling on delicate hairs which could lead to traction alopecia. As well as that, heat damage from using hair straighteners too close to the scalp or chemical damage from DIY relaxers are amongst the many reasons why one can experience hair loss.
But there are times where it’s caused by hormonal changes (think postpartum shedding) and many other medical conditions such as anemia, thyroid issues, or PCOS, all of which can cause the loss of delicate hairs along our hairline.
You may be wondering, “Is there anything I can do to get my edges back?”. If hair loss isn’t associated with an underlying health condition, with the right products and healthy hair practices, it is possible to get your hairline back in order. But prevention is always better than cure and how long it takes to grow your edges back is largely dependent on firstly identifying the cause, and then making a conscious effort not to backtrack (no pun intended). Let’s explore some hacks that could possibly help you get your edges back in shape!
Limit the use of extensions (including wigs)
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re really serious about growing your edges back, you need to limit the use of wigs and braids. I love a good box braid myself, and although these are as considered protective styles, they can tug on your hairline, especially during the process of having them put in.
A wig that is too tight can cause friction on the hairline which leads to breakage and don’t even get me started on the damage that wig glue can do! Keep it simple with wash and go’s, twist-outs, flexi rod sets, and buns (without them being slicked down).
Wrap and protect your edges at night
Cotton pillowcases can absorb the oils in our hair, cause friction and lead to damage. To protect your edges at bedtime, I recommend anything silk, whether that be a scarf, pillowcase, or bonnet. If you are using a scarf or bonnet, make sure you place it across your forehead instead of directly on your edges, to avoid further damage.
Moisturise and Massage
Moisturising your edges frequently will prevent them from drying out and breaking off. A gentle scalp massage along the hairline using oils such as peppermint, rosemary or lavender oil can reintroduce some moisture back into your hair. Scalp massages promote hair growth by stimulating blood circulation andpotentially reviving dormant follicles. It’s recommended to do 2 minutes of massaging (with oils) every day to see rapid results.
If you find that none of these tips work, your thinning edges and hair could be due to health issues, and we recommend speaking to your GP. Patience is a virtue and growing your hair takes time. As long as you are consistent and let your edges breathe, your efforts will yield some positive results!
