Source:www.strawberricurls.com
Having sensitive areas where your natural hair breaks off easily can be a big problem for naturals. Everyone has sensitive areas that need extra TLC, and mine include the edges of my hairline. It can be frustrating and confusing to see other areas of your natural strands growing to victory; meanwhile, fragile areas are breaking off. Just like your relaxed hair, your natural hair is not going to be perfect, this is all apart of the experience. Don’t worry there are solutions to getting those edges or other problem areas growing again. Lets take a look.
Hair Care Regimen
Are you checking your regular hair care regimen to see if you are maintaining the maximum amount moisture in your hair? Are you deep conditioning on a regular basis? What about protein treatments every 6-8 weeks?? Are you making sure that the styles, or accessories you are choosing wear are not putting too much tension on your hairline? Are you using hair tools too much? All of these can be reasons why your hairline is breaking.
If you said yes to any of the above questions and still are having issues regarding breakage, lets see what the problem could be. Generally all areas are your hair require a different amount of moisture and/or approach to remain healthy. This means that each part of your hair needs different methods to maintain growth. The edges of your hairline for some people is the most sensitive part because they are often pulled on when styling, conditioning, or washing.
Source: BeautiFroHair (Youtube)
Traction alopecia
Traction Alopecia is hair loss specifically, hair loss around the edges or temples of your hair, due to repetitive or persistent pulling or traction on hair roots. There are many styles that can cause damage to your edges including ponytails.Growing up I almost, always wore my hair too tight, especially in high school because I played sports, so putting my hair up in a ponytail or a low bun was my go-to style. This caused a bit of traction alopecia. Buns and tight braids can also pull hard enough on hairs to make them fall out. If this happens it’s best to choose hairstyles that put less tension on hair, because the result can cause permanent damage. The sooner this is done, the better. (Source) Do not get me wrong, protective styles are great! I wear them all the time, but who has experienced their protective style (braids) were so tight that you could not move the top of your forehead?
Me!!!
lol I have experienced this more time than once because my “stylist” (no shade) wanted to make my hair look nice, so they would pull and smooth my edges. But I most definitely did it on my own as well.
Regrowth process:
Disclaimer: Just these elements alone will not regrow your hair, continue using your healthy hair care regimen including washing/cowashing, deep conditioning, protein treatments, etc.
Castor oil
Castor Oil is a wonderful carrier oil specifically Jamaican Black Castor Oil, aims to restore strength and resilence to brittle b-r-o-k-e-n hair. It is typically used in aiding and regrowing the hairline as well as other broken areas of your hair. Apply oil to the edges or broken area of your hair nightly (gently massage).
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary oil is a great essential oil that stimulates the hair follicles ultimately stopping any hair loss. This oil has a strong smell, but is beneficial in helping stimulate blood circulation in the broken area. Apply nightly and gently massage.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Unlike rosemary oil, peppermint essential oil has a great smell to it. This oil stimulates your hair follicles and clears the pores of your scalp allowing for hair loss to decrease and moisture to be absorbed.
Warning: if used too often your scalp can become inflamed. So it is important to dilute peppermint oil with liquids (water) or other essential oils. Be mindful in using only a few drops during different applications because peppermint essential oil can also cause headaches.
Other causes of hair loss around your edges and/or temples:
- stress
- anxiety
- male/female patterned baldness.
What do you do to help grow your edges?
Kineatra Jones, MS founder & editor of NaturallyNex.com. She has a passion for educating women on all things natural: hair, beauty, and life. NaturallyNex.com was created in August 2015 to share and connect with women who have a passion for natural hair and beauty. Overtime NaturallyNex has evolved into a beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment blog. Kineatra is focused on discussing natural hair, beauty, fashion, and travel as well as providing encouragement to others.
Hello I’m 55, I perm my hair every 6-8 weeks my hair is very dry and my edges have been balding for YEARS. What is the best way without cutting all of my hair off, to regrow my hair naturally. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi! If you don’t want to completely “big chop” I suggest transitioning slowly. So, you would cut your hair little by little. Also, you can wear your hair in a protective style while you’re transitioning which will help grow out your perm. To help regrow your edges try black Jamaican castor oil a little on your edges every night. Hope that helps! ❤️
Hi. I am 38 years old and my edges have been gone for as long as i can remember due to my mom putting my ponytails too tight when I was a little girl. I’ve tried all kinds of methods to regrow my hair. I’m even going to a dermatologist every 3 months to get injections but that doesnt even seem to be working and he doesnt seem to have much faith that they’re going to help any bc so many years have passed. Its very depressing to say the least. If there were 1 thing i could change about my appearance it would definitely be that! Should i just accept the fact that I’ll never have edges? I guess you can’t really miss something you’ve never had huh!
Author
Hi Tamika! Thank you for your comment. I wouldn’t say that you’re not ever going to have edges, but first suggest that you see a regular PCP to determine if there are any underlying issues going on (like thyroid issues, etc). If you don’t feel confident in your dermatologist I would say either find another one or stop going altogether. I think 3 months time is enough to see some sort of a difference, and if you’re not than stopping may be best. Secondly, I would say make sure you aren’t using any heat on your hair specifically if your edges. Thirdly, protein helps to strengthen the hair shaft. So, I suggest doing protein treatments every 6 weeks or even a Henna Treatment. Make sure that if you’re protective styling that nothing is tight around your edges. At night apply your fav. oils (castor oil, olive oils) and use your finger tips to massage the oils in EVERY night. Consistency is key to regrowing your edges. Check your diet as well because believe it or not what we put in our bodies affects the outer. I hope this helps!!
hi 👋 I’m 17 and my edges are in a real mess due to constant braiding I have not permed or used heat on my hair please how can I grow them back
Author
Hi! I’m so sorry I’m just replying to this I did not see your comment. Sorry to hear that your edges are giving you an issue. I suggest giving tight protective styling a break. I would use Jamaican black castor oil on a nightly basis on your edges and give them a massage for about 30 seconds. it would be great if you heat up the oil and apply some nights as well. Deep conditioning your edges will help as well. Also, I suggest going see a professional who specialist in Hair Loss, if you follow http://www.loveofthepeople.com she is a hair loss specialist. Thanks for commenting and I hope this helps.