Got thinning edges? Here are some tips to help them grow back and maintain healthy edges for the long-term.
Sleep in a Satin Cap or Use a Satin Pillowcase
Going to sleep on a cotton pillow without protection is a no-no for women with kinky hair.
Our hair is naturally drier and more brittle than other textures of hair, so we need to protect our tresses when we sleep. Cotton absorbs the oils in our hair, and when we move throughout the night the friction against the pillow pulls and snags at our hair.
Yes, yes, I know. Scarves and satin caps aren’t for everyone. If you feel like Aunt Jemima or someone’s grandma in a head wrap, simply upgrade your bedding with satin pillow cases.
Your edges will thank you!
Rub Castor Oil on Them
Castor oil is a maaaah-velous potion for natural hair. Not only is it a great sealant, but it’s also wonderful for thinning hair… even eyebrows!
Massage some oil into your edges about an hour before bed. Our bodies repair during sleep, so that’s why this is an optimal time. Just make sure you give it time to absorb.
Use slow, circular motions. Not only does this stimulate blood flow and help with growth, but it ensures the oil is penetrating.
Don’t forget to wrap your hair up at night (see above tip). Otherwise you’ll negate the benefits of the oil.
Tip: The Jamaican Black Castor Oil is a widely known natural hair favorite!
Watch Those Headbands
If you are going to wear a headband, buy the ones made of satin/silk. Headbands have a tendency to move/slide around the temples, and the cotton or harsher fabrics can snag at the hair.
Not to mention, cotton absorbs the oil and can dry your edges out making them prone to breakage.
Do a Scalp Massage
Not only can you massage your edges when you are using castor oil, but you can also take a minute out of your day (twice a day is recommended) to massage thinning edges without any product.
Again, this stimulates blood flow and is always great for optimal hair growth.
Try a Treatment Mask
I love a good mask. It’s conditioning, makes my hair feel so soft and it always feels so much stronger for days after using it. The Shea Moisture Treatment mask is one of my faves.
Pay special attention to your edges and make sure they are coated when applying.
To make it extra effective, put on a plastic cap and sit under a dryer for 30 minutes while wearing the mask.
No dryer? No problem. Just wet a wash cloth with warm water and place it under the cap. This will create a steam-like environment for conditioning.
Moisturize Regularly
This probably goes without saying, but it’s crucial to keep your edges moisturized. Because they are often the most delicate part of the hair, moisturizers will keep them healthy.
When moisturizing your hair, it’s easy to skim over the edges, but make sure you coat them and re-apply when dry.
Here are some tips on moisturizing natural hair.
Stop Damaging Habits
Chemicals, harsh brushes, glues, hair dye, and tight extensions can wreak havoc on your edges. The tight extensions can really do a lot of damage because this may lead to Alopecia — which is sometimes irreversible.
If you don’t cease the actions that cause your damage, there really is little point in trying to grow them back. You’ll be caught in one vicious cycle that ends in them breaking off or further recession of your hairline.
This Takes Time
Be patient. Growing your edges back may take time, especially if you have severe damage. However, if you are persistent with using some or all the steps above, you will see results in a month or two.
Is Your Entire Head of Hair Thinning?
If you’re noticing thinning all over, check out this article for help.
I am now going natural after losing my edges from being stressed out. It’s been two months now and I can see my hairline wooo that is a major accomplishment. How did my edges look before? Girl look at the back of your hand yep, bald as an eagle. All I did was get some cheap neutral using shampoo, less than $ 2.00, some Vaseline, and leave in conditioner. Wash your hair, put the leave in conditioner on your hair not your scalp or it will itch, make sure you put the conditioner around the edges and nape followed by the Vaseline and massage 10 minutes all the way around at fort when you get the fuzziest then you corparte a sot toothbrush brushing them forward making a natural part. The key is consistency. I’m so happy I won’t be wearing more wigs yeaaaa!!!
Thank you for all the wonderful to have! I’m currently in the process of growing back the areas of my hairline that were damaged by- wait for it-the wig grip!Yes! I know for a fact that that was it. The pressure of the wig, the band’s unbreathability and unevitable rubbing against my hair combined to thin them point of almost baldness!- which I didn’t realize it until 2 years in! Since I stopped wearing it, they’re growing- slowly- back! Now, this is been my own personal experience… But I know I could not be alone in this.. When I was securing wigs with just pins, I didn’t have this issue.. either way Happy New Year to everyone and many blessings to you and your flourishing hairlines!
I love to add a little castor oil before tying my edges or wrapping my hair at night in a scarf. Be sure to use a pure silk scarf versus a polyester satin. Silk is naturally non-drying to the hair and skin and will help retain moisture. It is also naturally temperature regulating which will allow any heat to release for those who sweat under polyester fabric. Same thing with a silk pillowcase versus satin as well. Using silk will add an additional assist with achieving smooth edges.
I have cut all my hair off recently and its coming back naturally. Not sure if my hair is super kinky or just regular kinky curl. I have dyed my hair honey blonde and my edges are slowly coming back due to long time stress from braiding, weaving, etc. I am using natural shampoos without sulfate and other stuff that will damage my new hair growth. But i also changed my eating habits plus i am anemic. But these tips were helpful and i will start to use the these tips given. Just wanted to know will the coloring of my hair damage any chance of it growing to a potential length especially if the hair color has natural coloring with avocado/olive oil in it.
i braid my hair into 2 braids which i do normally every night with oil treatment will that effect on how my grows?
Plus will it break-off off edges or parts of my hair?
i am going natural but don’t really know what products to follow up on, any suggestions?
I have a list of what I use here https://napturallycurly.com/natural-hair-products/
I wear a wig daily and I see my scalp stays. Dry how can I keep my natural hair from suffering the effect of not breathing will wig stunt my natural hair growth
I’m trying to grow back my edges. If I wear a satin headband everyday & I keep my
Edges moisturizer can they still grow back or will that make it worse ? Thank you.
How can you keep your leave outs from damaging while having a weave in?
Great question, Sarah. Tie your hair down at night with a silk scarf and make sure you keep them moisturized. Minimize heat as much as possible and if you do use heat, make sure you buy a heat protectant.
I went natural 4 almost 5 years ago.I have problems with the hair length,like breakage,and now as my doc told me I’m anemic and the vitamin do levels are low.a couple of months into me takinging these vitamins , I noticed a significant loss of hair to the point where I had to cut it all off , no one knows what quite happened . What do you think?
Hi Grace
Are you sure it’s the vitamins? If they were the culprit, I would think you would have noticed the hair loss sooner than 2 months.
Are the vitamins just for vitmain D loss? What about your anemia? Did you correct that? That is often a cause of hair loss.
I used to have heavy periods and became anemic. As a result, my hair thinned. But once the anemia was corrected my hair stopped thinning.
I want to go back to my natural hair, pls any tip
Is natural olive oil okay to put on my scalp
Yes it is. 🙂
Thank you for the hair care tips. What is a good treatment masque to grow back edges?
Good ole castor oil! Just massage it into your edges at night before bed.
And I forgot to add make sure you stop the styles that are hurting your edges to begin with. Otherwise rubbing oil won’t help.