The Truth About Your Edges
Losing your hair edges can be devastating, especially when you’re trying to do everything possible to make your hair look great.
If you’re losing your edges, you probably already know the cause. Edges, also known as the hairline, are fragile. They can be easily lost to a condition known as traction alopecia. Many of us use a variety of gels and “lay-down” products once our edges are fried. Here’s some tips on how to keep that from happening and get them back.
This article will provide you with some insight as to why edge loss happens, and what you can do about it.
How does Edge Hair Loss Actually Happen?
Many women fall prey to traction alopecia early in life without knowing about the permanent damage that can happen.
Traction alopecia occurs when the hair follicle is abused enough to stop growing hair. The condition can be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity and the body’s ability to regenerate cells.
It can happen to anyone, regardless of hair type, race, or age. It is simply the result of pulling the hair too tight from the forehead and temples.
Advanced traction alopecia is common in black women because of the societal pressure to adhere to a certain standard of beauty and because of the constant manipulation of hair.
Traction alopecia can happen with all textured hairstyles–natural hair, locs, and relaxed hair. It is especially common with extensions, wig, and weave hairstyles.
As a side note, chemical burns from a relaxer can cause traction alopecia too. It’s just that the scarring and hair loss can occur anywhere along the scalp, and not only the hairline.
The main thing to think about with traction alopecia is that it happens by your own hand, rather than being a hormonal or androgenic condition.
Below are some ways you can avoid hair loss of your edges. You’ll also find ways to promote regrowth.
Don’t Pull it Too Tight
The best way to prevent edge hair loss is to avoid pulling your hair too tight. This is the main cause of traction alopecia, and just being aware of the tightness of hair around your edges can prevent this devastating hair loss from occurring.
Here are some guidelines for different hairstyles:
Natural Hair. The biggest culprit of edge loss in natural hair is high puffs. Forcing your hair strands to change their direction and move up into a frequent tight puff is unnatural and can hurt the follicles. Try only wearing high puffs occasionally.
Or choose a loose low puff instead, which will treat the follicles better. You’ll also want to avoid smothering your edges in gel.
Extensions. If you wear extensions frequently, you may already be suffering from bald edges. Braiders always want to do a “good” job by pulling and weaving your strands into the purchased hair, but this can mean permanent edge loss if your body doesn’t repair the follicle cells.
The worst extensions for edges are box braids or poetic justice braids. These tend to pull every tiny baby hair you have. Try less damaging extension styles like crochet or goddess braids. You can also instruct your hair braider not to braid your edge hair.
But remember, traction alopecia can occur anywhere on the head, not just edges. You could experience hair thinning over your entire head if your extensions are too tight.
Locs. Unfortunately, even natural styles like microlocs and dreadlocks are affected by edge balding. It’s all too common to see loc’d folks with a receding hairline.
Do you frequently pull your locs back or up into a ponytail? Do you have long, heavy locs? You may be weighing down your fine baby hairs too much.
Try wearing your locs free of hair accessories more often. If you want to add style to your locs, try a satin scarf or headband. Or if you must tie your hair back, do it loosely.
Weaves and Wigs. Traction alopecia occurs with weaves and wigs when glue is applied to the edges to hold the hair in place. Sew-in weaves can cause traction alopecia too because of the pulling.
The best bet here is to avoid glue or to become skilled at non-damaging techniques. You could also check around for a professional who knows how to install weaves damage-free. Just remember to speak up if a stylist is pulling your hair too tight.
Relaxed Hair. You won’t have much trouble with losing your edges on relaxed hair if you pay close attention not to over process the edges and not to pull your hair back too tightly into ponytails. If you do have hair loss at the edges, try to free the hair around your forehead and temples and wear bangs instead. This will loosen the tension so that your hair can regrow.
How to Regrow Edges
You won’t be able to regrow hair if you continue to mistreat the follicle cells. So, the first thing is to stop abusing your scalp.
Use the above list to see if you’re wearing a hairstyle that can damage your edges. Then, try these techniques:
Massage. Several essential oils have been scientifically proven to stimulate hair growth. Gently rub essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus into your scalp. Black Jamaican castor oil may help too. Scalp massage works best if you do it in an inverted position. Bend at the waist with unlocked knees and let blood flow to your head while you massage.
Apply protein and deep conditioning to edges. Take care of the hair you have. Nutress protein and moisture formulas will strengthen your fine baby hairs and make them more resilient to breakage. When you apply treatments to your hair, don’t skip the edges. Focus on your hairline and massage all treatments into the edges.
Cover your edges with a satin bonnet or silk scarf. Wearing a satin bonnet at night is best for your hair, but it gets tricky when you’re dealing with edge loss. Could your bonnet be to blame?
Be cautious of a satin bonnet that has rough elastic ridges, and avoid placing the bonnet directly on the edges. Instead, pull the bonnet or scarf over the hairline so that it is sitting on your forehead and temples and not rubbing on your edges all night.
Keep in mind that not all traction alopecia can be reversed. It depends on many factors, including the severity, the body’s ability to regenerate follicle cells, and the way you treat your hair and scalp.
However, following these guidelines will help you recover from hair loss at the edges, so your mane can grow in healthier, fuller, and longer.
Have you experienced hair loss at the edges? Please share your stories so others can benefit.