How to Treat Balding & Thinning Edges
Balding and thinning hair at the temples are common concerns for women with afro-textured hair, sparking many questions. What’s behind this hair loss, and what daily habits can help improve scalp and hair health? More importantly, can this hair grow back?
Keep reading to discover how to better care for your hair and encourage healthy regrowth.
*Pssst, have you tried changing your nutrition and your hair routine, but your hair remains brittle and thin. Read up on these Facts about Vitamin D and Hair Health to better understand how getting some sun can actually aid your hair goals.
1. What causes balding / thinning near the edges?
Balding and /or thinning of hair near one’s temples may be due to one or more for the following reasons: –
• Chronic stress
• Post-partum balding
• Tension on your edges from styling
• Low Iron levels
• Low Vitamin D levels; and
• Fluctuating hormonal levels
2. 13 Habits to restore your edges
There are some easy habits you can introduce toyour daily routine that can help limit, minimise and prevent thinning hair edges.
These are not quick fixes, and need time, consistency, patience and dedication. Incorporate these tips into your hair routine to see an improvement on the overall look and health of your hair.
1. Use light weight oils
When dealing with thinning edges, the last thing you want to do is apply any oil that will clog your pores. Clogged pores prevent hair growth, thus worsening the problem.
When you are struggling with bald edges, rather use lightweight oils such as:-
– Rosemary oil; and
– Pumpkin seed oil.
2. Use scalp stimulating oils
Scalp stimulating oils are great for treating balding, thinning scalps.
These oils are effective because they increase blood circulation to your scalp, helping to stimulate growth. Common scalp stimulating oils are;
🌺 Rosemary oil,
🌺 Coffee oil,
🌺 Onion juice;
🌺 Garlic oil; and
🌺 Onion and ginger oil.
Catch up on our Top 4 Natural Hair Growth Oils.
3. Limit / prevent further hair breakage
One of the ways to manage thinning / balding hair at the edges is to prevent any more damage to this area.
To do this, limit using any materials that rub against your temple (especially when sleeping), or dry out your hair (cotton pillow cases, woollen hats.
Also invest in a silk scarf, bonnet and pillowcase to reduce hair breakage from friction, when sleeping. Satin / silk materials do not absorb any moisture from your hair, as opposed to cotton / polyseter materials.
4. Avoid hairstyles that put tension on your scalp
Tight hairstyles are one of the main reasons for thinning / balding edges.
Hairstyles like high buns, thin or heavy braids and mini-twists that put tension on your edges should be avoided at all costs.
5. Give your hair a break
Back-to-back protective styling is not good for your edges (and overall hair).
This applies to both braids and wigs, as these continuously put strain on your scalp.
Rather vary out your hairstyles and get used to giving your hair a break by not manipulating it often. This gives your edges a chance to breath and re-grow.
6. Get into the habit of massaging your scalp
Scalp massages are great for stimulating hair growth.
Add peppermint oil to your preferred scalp oil and massage daily for at least 10 – 15 minutes. This routine will help nurture your hair back to health.
7. Give hair salons a break
It is a bitter truth, but most (not all) hair salons are out to make money. Because of this, they may not take the time or make the effort to care for your edges properly, and may even do more damage than good.
If you have not found a decent natural hair salon, then rather learn to care for your hair yourself or get a trusted fellow natural to help care for your hair.
8. Take essential hair vitamins
Give your hair growth a boost by consistently taking essential hair growth vitamins and nutrients.
The more popular hair vitamins for growth are magnesium, selenium, biotin, iron, and vitamin D.
Looking to care for your hair from the inside out. Get much needed info on the 13 Essential Hair Growth Vitamins & their Food List.
9. See a professional
Seeing a professional is always a good idea, especially if you have the budget / and / or have been dealing with balding for a while.
A dermatologist will be able to do a scalp analysis to determine what’s going on and give recommendations for therapy or products with particular ingredients. Also, they can check out your hormonal levels (check oestrogen and testosterone levels) to see what is causing your female balding.
10. Keep hair moisturised
Moisture, moisture, moisture!
This is every natural’s friend.
Dry hair is more prone to breakage, knots and thinning so make sure you keep your hair moisturised with regular deep conditioning treatments. Plus, since you moisturise from the inside as well, drink at least 1,5l of water daily.
11. Let go of poor hair habits
This is a KEY takeaway.
No matter how well you take care of your hair, it can never outgrow a bad habit.
Therefore cut out some of these poor hair habits that cause balding / thinning edges are:
- Using hair glue;
- Using wigs for long periods of time;
- Not being consistent with your hair care routine;
- Using oil as a moisturiser; and
- Tying sleeping scarfs too tight in the night.
12. Be Patient
Be patient with your hair.
With time, routine and lots of TLC, you should be back to healthy edges (and an even healthier outlook on life).
13. Manage your stress and anxiety
Last but not least, you will need to properly manage your stress and anxiety.
Hair takes the biggest heat after stress, and so it makes sense that it usually suffers during and after prolonged periods of stress.
To counter this, find productive ways to manage your stress like taking regular walks, exercise, reading novels, playing with kids or your pets and knitting.
Want some suggestions on lowering your stress levels? Check out our countdown on the 46 Activities for Better Mental Health to Invest in today.
Good luck!
Have you been able to reverse your balding edges? What are some of the things that you have done to restore your edges? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
And until the next time, beautiful naturals, happy naturaling!
