I found myself looking through my phone and found the most cringeworthy “selfie” that I’ve taken—a photo of my edges gone. Here’s the backstory.

In February 2017, I went to an African hair braiding salon to get box braids. Growing up, I often wore my hair in box braids as a protective style. Braids are low maintenance, which helps me keep my hands out of my mane while my hair does its thing. As you can see, the weight of the braids and the tightness pulled my hair out (mainly around the edges but also in the middle of my head).

Let me be the first to say, regrowing edges should be a crime. It’s a prolonged, stressful process that may cause you to lose more hair just from stress alone. My edges were entirely bald t where all you could see was scalp. It took a lot of patience and consistency for me to get the growth that I got a year later. For months after getting those box braids, I still didn’t have edges or a sign of them growing back.

Sidebar: I have thin hair and always have so I did not expect my edges to be super thick–however, the progress was there, hunty!

Here’s what I did to regrow my edges that can help you with your edge regrowth journey.

1. Keep your edges moist…urized.

Dry, brittle hair is prone to breakage…period. Keeping my edges moisturized was probably the most essential thing that saved my edges. I moisturize my edges every morning and night because my hair soaks up moisture like a sponge. However, I pay close attention to my edges—if they don’t need the extra moisture, I don’t provide it.

My favorite “moisturizer” at the moment is Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Treatment. Technically, it is a leave-in conditioner for damaged hair. However, it keeps my dry hair SUPER moisturized. It also smells phenomenal.  Pro-Tip: Don’t use too much product or it will leave a whiteish film on your hair.

2. Do regular scalp massages with oil.

For a long time, I didn’t believe in massaging your scalp to stimulate hair growth. However, the proof is the pudding. Blood circulation from scalp massages helps get the juices flowing, aka promotes hair growth. Here are a few things I use for scalp massaging daily (oils) and a weekly basis or when I felt like it basis (shampoo massager).

Oils

Jamaican Black Castor Oil (at night)

Some people don’t believe in the power of castor oil, and I’m not one of them. Between regrowing my edges and helping my skin glow, castor oil has not let me down in my 20-something years. However, I must warn you that you should dilute the oil with something thinner like Jojoba oil. Not only does jojoba oil mix well with castor oil, but it also mimics sebum (oil) found naturally in human skin and scalp. Together, the two are a match made in hair heaven.

Wild Growth Oil (2-3 times a week but especially on Washday)

This is one of those products that you see all over YouTube and other social media platforms. People rave about how fast it helps with hair growth, and in my experience, it’s true. With consistent use, you do see noticeable growth; however, if you’re neglecting your hair otherwise, you won’t see those results. (Click the photo for a list of ingredients).

Tools

Shampooing Scalp Massager stops you from scratching your scalp and feels fantastic. However, it’s perfectly fine to use your fingertips instead.

3. Cleanse your edges of product build-up between washdays.

When I’m in the shower, I use my facewash to gentle wash my edges to remove makeup, dirt, and oil. Because I’m not a licensed esthetician or one of those “skin specialists” giving unsolicited advice on the interwebs, I don’t reccomend it, but it has been working for me.

Another option is to try a dry gel shampoo like Taliah Waajid Protective Styles Dry Gel Shampoo.

4. Try a protective style like wigs.

 

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A post shared by MIKA (Mee-Kah) (@astoldbymika) on Sep 29, 2019 at 3:30pm PDT

Your protective style of choice is totally up to you. However, make sure the style is protecting your hair and not masking damage while causing more damage in the long run.

While my hair hates braids, it LOVES wigs. Sidebar: I  usually do two strand twists under my wigs, NOT braids. Paired with a bonnet (I’ll explain below), wigs have pretty much saved my hair—the low maintenance of a wig has done wonders for my edges as well. While wigs can be an investment, if you’re planning on wearing one regularly, it’s worth investing a high-quality wig. The hair I’m wearing above is the Mayvenn Brazilian Deep Wave Lace Front Wig (20 inches). I’ve had this wig for six months (as of Jan 2020), and it’s in excellent condition!

CLICK TO READ LATER: How I Save $500 In Under A Month

5. Try wearing silk/satin bonnet under your wigs

My favorite bonnet at the moment by Evolve

Because I’ve been keeping my edges moisturized, I don’t have to do this as much today. For the first few months of my edge regrow journey, this method helped keep my edges moisturized. Regular nylon wig caps leave your dry and brittle, aka prone to breakage. Satin and silk don’t nearly cause as much (if any) damage.

Wearing a bonnet under a wig can be a bit bulky, so I suggest doing this under a curly wig, or any wig that doesn’t need to be flat (like bone straight hair).

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