My Natural Hair Blog
Zoe Carter
………………………………

Protection

Your edges are the most fragile hairs on your head, so they need some extra love and care when washing, moisturising, deep conditioning, and styling your hair.

So if your edges have been damaged or thinning because of protective styling that was too tight, it’s not too late! Here are some ways to protect your edges while allowing them to grow out.

Extensions and High-maintenance Styles

Both of these things pull and put tension on your edges. Ponytails and twists are examples of hairstyles that cause this tension.

So limiting the use of extensions and high-maintenance styling is ideal for growing your edges out.

But if you do decide to put in extensions, ask your stylist to exclude your edges from the process.

Headbands and Hats

Certain materials create friction and tugs on your hair and edges – especially in hardware.

If you wear hats frequently, use a thin satin/silk scarf between the hat and your harriets.

When choosing/wearing headbands look for headbands with a silk lining.

Silk and satin both protects your fragile edges and prevents them from catching or breaking caused by hats or headbands.

Protection from Pillows

Once again silk and satin come to your curls and edges rescue.

Unlike silk and satin, other materials absorb the natural oils and moisture from your hair – yes even that cotton pillowcase of yours.

This ends up leaving your hair dry and brittle. During the night, your hair creates friction against your pillowcase and snags your precious edges.

So to prevent this, use a bonnet or tie a silk/satin scarf around your forehead, and not directly on your edges.

Tampering and Touching

It is proven that most people absentmindedly play and pull on their roots and edges.

You need to become aware of this, especially if you’re prone to doing it.

Your edges are very fragile and easily breakable. So for your sake and mine,

LEAVE THEM OFF!

Moisture and Moisturising

Dry hair is more susceptible to breakage and snapping, and your edges are the most vulnerable to this.

It is vital to give them just as much – if not a little more – attention as the rest of your crown when moisturising.

Be sure to seal in moisture to prevent them from drying out and breaking.

Oils and Ointments

Essentials oils are truly phenomenal for natural hair and especially to your edges.

Not only do essential oils strengthen your hair but stimulates growth too.

Massaging your scalp with essential oils stimulates blood circulation and promotes hair growth.

They smell fabulous, and who doesn’t love a good head massage?

Halt with Heat

Healing tools completely fry your edges.

If your edges are thinning, it is best that you take a break from using heat and heating tools on your hair.

And even if your hair is healthy, turn those heat levels down princess.

Patience and Patience

Growing back your edges, like most things, takes time.

But practising some patience and following these steps will get you – and your edges – where you want to be.

Hemming that Hairline

Here at My Natural, we want to give you the best advice, so besides your edges you need to protect your hairline too.

So if your Hairline has seen better days, here are some tips to help you restore it:

• Don’t shampoo every day
• Lay your edges using our Shea butter enriched edge gel
• Get into the habit of massaging your roots, and hairline with our strengthen oil.
• Getting into the habit of incorporating hot oil treatments

Maintenance

Once you’ve finally got your edges where you want them to be, there are just a few more steps to maintain the health and appearance of them

And don’t stop doing the steps mentioned previously. These all benefit your edge journey.

Bigger (sections) is Better

Listen up ladies, even though protective styles are great for the rest of your hair , they ain’t so great on your edges – even the looser protective styles, they still put some amount of tension on your edges.

But creating bigger sections of hair near your hairline does eliminate most of this tension.

Your goal is to just alleviate as much tension from your edges as possible.

Product Placement (on your hair)

Your edges need to be handled with care, so don’t use a hairbrush when applying product.

Brushes are just to rough for this area of hair.

Though using your fingers is the preferred method, using a soft-bristled toothbrush is the next best option.

Also, the products that you use must be easily appliable and glides over your edges without clumping.

Choosing your Styles (low manipulation)

It is key to avoid hairstyles that pull too tightly on your edges.

Choose chunkier protective style over micro-braiding.

Don’t Overextend (time limit)

If you put in a protective style, no more than eight weeks!

Leaving a style in for too long wreaks havoc on your edges.

Your hair health is made up of several different factors, and your edges are a part of that equation.

A Little Bit Extra

In this world we always stan a queen thats a little bit extra, and as such here are just a few more things you should be aware of when taking care if those edges.

Picking your Potions

It is vital to know what is actually in your products.

The reason for this is traditional hair care products have tons of drying agents that strips your hair of natural oil and moisture protectants.

So avoid products that contain:

• Sulphates
• Mineral Oils
• Petroleum
• Phthalate

Swab that Sweat

Sweat is also another thing that affects the hairline.

This is because of where the sweat glands are placed. It’s a problem, the sweat from our bodies is a natural cooling system but it messes up our hair.

So as much as you can, keep as much sweat off your hairline as possible.

Meals and Medicine

Both medication and your diet also affects the look and feel of your hair.

So it is vital to know the components and effects of the ingredients in your medicine on your hair.

It is also important to have a balanced diet to ensure that you have all the key nutrients that your body needs.

Leaving a legacy behind of healthy hair for your kids, betters installing self-love for their own gorgeous crowns.

I cannot emphasise this more enough, give your edges the TLC and protection that they need and deserve.

After all, what’s a crown without its jewels.