Aftercare for damaged Edges

Damaged edges

If your edges are damaged, there are several steps you can take to repair them and promote healthy regrowth. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help restore your edges:

1. Assess the Damage

Identify the Cause: First, understand what may have caused the damage. Common reasons include tight hairstyles, overuse of heat tools, chemical treatments, and lack of moisture. Once you know the cause, you can address it directly.

2. Moisturize Regularly

Hydration is Key: Dryness is a major cause of edge breakage. Regularly moisturize your edges using water-based products or leave-in conditioners.

Use creams on top of oils to seal in moisture: After moisturizing, apply natural oils like Jamaican black castor oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil to lock in moisture. These oils also promote hair growth by nourishing the scalp.

3. Avoid Tight Hairstyles

Reduce Tension: Tight braids, ponytails, weaves, and buns put unnecessary strain on your hairline, which can cause damage. Opt for looser styles or protective hairstyles that don’t pull on your edges.

Take Breaks Between Styles: Give your hair a break by allowing it to rest between tight styles. You can wear your hair in looser styles or natural protective hairstyles like twists or low buns.

4. Be Gentle with Styling

Avoid Excessive Brushing or Combing: Aggressive brushing, especially with hard-bristle brushes, can lead to breakage. Use a soft-bristle brush or simply finger-style your edges to reduce tension.

Limit Heat Styling: Heat can weaken your hair, making your edges more vulnerable to breakage. Minimize the use of flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers. If you do use heat tools, always apply a heat protectant spray.

When I transitioned to natural hair, I threw away all of my combs and brushes. I only finger- combed my hair. Combing and brushing can break or snag hair. For me, this not only lessened potential damage but also helped me to get to know my natural hair.

5. Protect Your Hair While Sleeping

Use Satin or Silk Pillowcases: Cotton pillowcases can cause friction and dry out your edges, leading to breakage. Switch to satin or silk pillowcases, which are gentler on the hair.

Wear a Satin or Silk Scarf/Bonnets: Protect your edges while sleeping by wrapping your hair in a satin or silk scarf or using a bonnet. This reduces friction and keeps your edges smooth and moisturized.

6. Incorporate Edge-Friendly Products

Avoid Harsh Gels: Alcohol-based gels can dry out your edges and lead to breakage. Instead, use gentle edge control products with moisturizing ingredients.

Use Protein Treatments: If your edges are weak and breaking, incorporate protein treatments into your routine to strengthen the hair and reduce damage.

7. Scalp Massages for Growth

Stimulate Blood Flow: Massaging your edges gently with oils like castor oil can stimulate blood flow to the scalp, promoting hair growth. Aim to do this for a few minutes every day to encourage regrowth.

8. Diet and Nutrition

Healthy Hair Starts from Within: Your diet plays an important role in hair health. Make sure you’re consuming enough vitamins and minerals that promote hair growth, such as biotin, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron. Foods like salmon, eggs, avocados, and nuts can boost hair health.

9. Give Your Hair Time to Recover

Be Patient: Regrowing damaged edges can take time. You might start seeing improvements within a few weeks, but full recovery can take months. Stay consistent with your hair care routine and avoid practices that could cause further damage.

10. Trim Damaged Ends

Remove Split Ends: If the ends of your edges are frayed or split, consider trimming them. This will prevent further splitting and allow healthier hair to grow in.

11. Seek Professional Help

Consult a Hair Specialist: If your edges are severely damaged or thinning, it may be helpful to see a dermatologist or trichologist who specializes in hair and scalp health. They can assess your hair and scalp condition and recommend treatments, medications, or other remedies. If the hair specialist makes recommendations, relay them to your stylist and if they don't agree, then you may have to change stylist. Even better make sure your stylist is also a hair care professional. There is a difference, love. Hair care professionals help grow hair and care for and about your natural hair.

Suggested Routine:

Daily: Moisturize and seal your edges with oil. Massage your scalp for 2–3 minutes to stimulate growth.

Weekly: Apply a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask to nourish and strengthen your edges.

Monthly: Consider a protein treatment to reinforce your hair's structure if your edges are particularly weak.

By following these steps and being mindful of how you treat your hair, you should start to see gradual improvement in your edges' health and strength.

Bonus Tip:

Use a calendar to keep track of everything that you do to your hair. After using products, treatments, styles, etc. make note of the condition of your hair before and after to see what is working or damaging your hair. Also, just like with diet and healthy eating, read your product labels. All alcohols are drying and damaging to your hair so pay close attention to the product ingredients.

Until, next time. And always feel free to share advice and comments.