With natural hair, it’s hard not to think constantly of your curls and coils—how moisturized they are, how defined they are, how to style them, and more. But there’s another part of your hair that needs equal attention and that you may sometimes neglect: your edges.
What causes thinning edges?
Excessive styling and bad styling habits can strain your edges, thinning them over time. Other reasons for hair loss (at the edges and beyond) can include pregnancy, stress, heredity, hypothyroidism, chronic illnesses like lupus, and scalp conditions, according to Prevention. The most common type of hair loss is hereditary, affecting around 80 million men and women across America.
Some people have gotten their “edges snatched” – but not in a good way, and it’s time to get them back! Here are some tips if you’ve run into snags trying to regrow your edges.
How to prevent thinning edges
1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Natural oils like castor oil and coconut oil are useful in keeping edges moisturized and stimulating growth. Castor oil lubricates the hair shaft, which can reduce breakage, dandruff, and flaking. Coconut oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can improve scalp health and support hair growth.
Creating oil mixtures and treatments will more deeply moisturize your edges and fight against hair loss. Try applying Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil or combining it with coconut oil and castor oil in a small bowl and microwaving for a few seconds. Apply to your edges at night and watch your hair grow!
2. Avoid high manipulation styling
Image Source: @itsthatezi
Braids and twists can be cute for those summer Instagram shots, but be wary of these styles if you have issues regrowing your edges. Tight protective styles cause tension and pull on your scalp, increasing the likelihood that your edges will break off. Also, constantly pulling your hair back into buns and ponytails can have the same growth-stunting effect. Keeping away from tight styles gives your scalp a rest and allows your edges the freedom to grow without restraint.
3. Hard brushes at the edges are a no-no
Scrolling through TikTok, we often see our favorite naturalistas slicking their edges down to add to final touches to their hairstyles. But constant manipulation of your edges with hard bristles brushes and edge control gel can prevent your edges from growing back. If you’re trying to grow your edges, let them grow naturally without being forced down. You can try any of your regular styles with free, unlaid edges—saving you more time in the end!
4. Satin and silk are your best friends
Image Source: @alysha.zahraa
For girls with curly, kinky, and coily hair, we already know silk and satin can be life savers when protecting our curls at night—but they can help with our edges, too! Sleeping on cotton pillowcases can cause friction that sucks the moisture out of your edges—this will undo the benefits of any extra nourishment you’ve added with oils! Along with a satin pillowcase, you can tie a silk scarf around your edges to keep them protected at night. Just make sure you don’t tie the scarf down too tight.
Need more ideas? Here are 7 Ways to Grow Your Edges Back and Treat a Thinning Hairline.
Do you struggle with thinning edges? What remedies are you going to try?
This article has been updated for clarity.
