In my last post, My Journey Back from the Brink of Baldness, I shared the root cause of hair loss around my edges. If you haven’t read it, check it out here. Thank you for the feedback I received from some of you and the questions you shared. As promised, this follow-up article is about how I am growing my edges back. I took the steps outlined below and they have been helpful in the journey to grow my edges.
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Determine the root cause of your hair loss around the edges: Is your hair loss due to a medical condition, or poor hair practices over some time? If you have ruled out your hair loss being as a result of your hair practices, I suggest you seek medical help from a dermatologist. In my own case, there was a clear cause and effect. The loss of my edges was as a result of poor hair practices like getting my hair done in micro twists, using heated tools frequently, and not keeping my hair moisturized.
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Handle your edges with care: Have you ever purchased an expensive china piece and seen the cautionary notice on the item, “Handle with care”? Our edges are particularly more fragile than the rest of our hair, so they should be handled gently. Here are practical steps you can take to promote the health of your edges:
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Avoid styles that put a lot of tension on your hair and especially on your edges. If you get braids, opt for leaving your edges out. If your hairstyle is creating significant discomfort or is too tight, sis, that is a warning sign and you know it. I know we all love the snatched edges look. But decide on what you want, snatched edges now or preserved edges in the long run.
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Don’t handle your hair or edges in a rush. This is especially important when detangling, taking down braids, or styling. Speak up if you feel like your braider or stylist is manipulating your hair in haste.
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Reduce the use of heated tools on your edges and when you apply heat, always use a heat protectant.
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If possible, always wear a wig grip under your wigs. I purchased mine from Amazon two years ago.
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The first picture was taken in the Summer of 2019. Before getting my spring twists, I emphasized to the braider I wanted my edges left out and for the twists not to be tight in the hairline area. In the second picture, I was rocking a micro twist wig, and I was protecting my edges by wearing a wig grip underneath.
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Massage your edges with essentials and carrier oils: Whether your hairline is full of hair or not, consider adding hair massages to your hair care regimen.
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Lavender oil promotes hair growth.
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Rosemary oil helps with hair thickness and growth.
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Cedarwood oil slows hair loss, thus reducing thinning.
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Peppermint oil helps hair growth by stimulating the scalp.
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Black Castor oil may help to speed up hair growth. There is a plethora of testimonials on YouTube on how it has helped in thickening edges.
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Essential oils are very potent, so they should never be applied directly to your scalp; instead, they should be diluted with a carrier oil like jojoba, grapeseed, olive, or coconut oil. A few drops of essentials oil with some carrier oil is generally okay. Before introducing any oil to your hair regimen, do your research and consider speaking with your doctor to make sure the oil is safe for you.
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Incorporate rest periods: One of the fun things we enjoy as black women, is the option of changing our hairstyles frequently. Ladies, make sure you incorporate into your hair schedule some rest periods where there is little to no manipulation of your hair.
During my rest period in the fall of 2019, I opted for a simple style with no extensions, and I chose not to slick my edges down with edge control or products. (shown in the picture below). Most edge control products consist of alcohol, so using them too often may deplete your hair of moisture and make it prone to damage.
- Cleanse and moisturize: Regularly shampoo and deep condition your hair. Know your hair type and the products that work best for your hair. Give your edges special attention during the conditioning process.
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Healthy lifestyle: What you eat can have a significant impact on the health of your hair. Hair grows about half an inch (1.25 cm) per month and 6 inches (15 cm) per year. The rate of growth depends on age, diet, health, and genetics. Factors like age and genetics are not modifiable, but you can determine your diet. Foods that are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D and E, biotin, iron, protein, and zinc are helpful in stimulating hair growth. Some of these foods are strawberry, eggs, spinach, avocado, beans, fatty fish, oysters, nuts, seeds, and meat.
- Protect your edges while sleeping: You’ve probably heard about the importance of sleeping with a satin cap or using a satin pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases can deplete your hair of moisture.
