Hair Edges: Dealing with damages

In this article we would be addressing problematic edges: what causes them, how to prevent them and how to restore your edges. Most hair edge issues are due to the way the person treats his hair or her hair.

Introduction to Hair Edges

When you have a good edge, your natural hair appearance is more attractive. However, due to the fragile nature of this part of the hair it is prone to damages. Some damage might occur from wearing very tight styles that pulls on the edges, excess heat applications, pulling on the hair roughly instead of gently detangling the hair.

Other hair issues are due to genetics, postpartum hair shedding and in worst cases sickness or certain treatments. Our edges are quite fragile so extra stress or pull on the hair can cause them to fall out eventually. For the sake of this article, I would be addressing thinning hair edges and bald hair edges.

Thinning hair edges

Causes of Thinning hair edges

1. Wearing hairstyles that are too tight

We like packing our hair into a bun or a puff, whether it is a high, low or to the side. It is stylish and a quick hairdo. But have you thought of what wearing a bun does to your hair? Braids, we love braids, they last long, some of them are protective styles but what about braid styles that pull on your edges in the name of being a style.

Puffs and Buns cause tension on the nape, hairline and crown area because the hair is being pulled in from various directions. Certain braided ‘protective styles can cause tension on the scalp and hairline. All these can lead to your edges thinning especially if your hair is in either style for a long time.

2. Wigs and Weavon :

For times when you want to take a break from rocking your natural hair, this is perfect. Grab a wig and you are good to go, fix a weave and you can wear it on your hair for month. It also serves a protective style but some of the braids we make underneath are tight and pull on our edges. Sometimes the wig glue holds on to the little hairs on your hairline and will pull off some of the hair when the weave is being removed leading to thinning edges.

3. Frequent use of edge control

Most edge controls contain drying agents that strengthen the edge control’s hold on the hair and maintain that sleeked look. Frequently ‘laying your edges’ and styling them can also result in your hair thinning.

4. Headscarves and Satin Bonnets:

I know, I know it is supposed to prevent moisture loss but when you put on your bonnet where does it go? Right on top of your edges. You probably toss and turn while you sleep which causes the bonnet to constantly rub on your edges.

How do you tie your headscarves?

Right on your edges or do you tie it on your forehead instead. Tying scarves right on our edges, placing the bonnet such that the tight part is on our edges causes stress to the edges and can result in thinning.

5. Postpartum shedding, drastic weight loss, and Illness:

This cause, unlike most causes, isn’t caused by bad styling habits. While thinning in such cases may not be preventable you can reduce the amount of hair loss from these causes is some scenarios by using scalp treatment or treatments for thinning edges. Some sicknesses that can cause thinning edges are Lupus, iron deficiency anemia, scalp conditions like alopecia areata.

Treatments for thinning edges

1. Massage your edges with an oil every night before bed: Gently massaging your thinning edges either nightly or weekly with oil is a way of promoting hair growth in those areas that the hair is thinning. Jamaican castor oil is an oil that comes highly beneficial and will come in handy for restoring those edges to their previous glory. Simply put oil on the tips of your fingers and massage those thinning areas gently but firmly and soon your edges will start filing back. It is also good practice to continue massaging your edges with oil after it is grown back to make the hair that constitute your edges strong.
2. Use natural products around your hairline: In other words keep your facial cleansers, acne removers, face clarifying solution and makeup away from your hairline as this can cause further damage to the hair that you are trying to regrow.
3. Eat healthily and stay hydrated: What goes into your body affects every part of your body including your hair. Eat balanced diets, add vegetables to your meals not only will this keep you healthy and give you glowing skin, it will also assist it quickening the hair growth process.
4. Sleep on satin or silk pillowcases: The more moisturized tour hair is the less likely it is to fall off or thin and compared to cotton pillowcases, silk and satin pillowcases are less likely to absorb your natural hair oils. Your hair needs its natural oils and moisture to grow back when it’s thinning. Also when compared to bonnet, the hair edges are less stressed.
5. Reduce the usage of edge control and leave hair brushes alone if you want your edges back.
6. Avoid using wig caps and glue in this period of trying to regrow your edges.
7. You know when a style is too tight on your hair. Instead of sticking to that ‘protective’ style or easy to do style that is pulling on your edges why not look for a different style that isn’t too tight and wouldn’t thin your edges.
8. If your thinning edges are due to medical reasons see a doctor as soon as possible.

Bald edges

Bald edges occur when a person with thinning edges does not stop the harmful styling habits that caused the hair to thin in the first place, sooner or later the hair falls off. Some bald edges are also due to genetics or Illness.

Treatments for bald edges

Note that most of these treatments are similar to treatment for thinning hair. This is because it is the same problem, just that one case is worse than the other.

1. Scalp massages.
2. Use of scalp treatments or scalp stimulating oils.
3. Keep your hair and edges moisturized. (castor oil and coconut oil are great for keeping the hair moisturized and stimulating new growth.)
4. Drop the edge control and hair brushes.(The hard bristles of the hair brush won’t help your edges to go back instead it will add stress to the little hairs trying to grow)

I hope you have been able to learn something today, this article is not only for those with thinning edges or bald edges it is also for those whose edges are fine so they can learn and avoid having thinning edges or bald edges.

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