The Key To Restoring Your Edges

Edges, also known as baby hairs, refers to the shorter, sometimes unruly hair around the hairline and yes, they are just as delicate as they sound.

When we have damaged edges, they’re pretty hard to ignore since they’re front-and-center, so most of us will try to find the fastest solution out there to manipulate these fragile strands into submission!  But this is exactly how the vicious cycle begins.  Therefore, in order to effectively create a hair care routine to nourish your edges, it’s important to explore what might be harming them in the first place.  Thankfully, in most cases, damaged edges are just a temporary issue and can be mended with the right products and care. In this article we’ll look to assist you in deciphering what habits may be harming your edges and provide some suggestions on how to reverse the damage done so you can happily swirl and display those baby hairs with pride.

What causes Damaged Edges?

The leading source of damage and hair loss along the hairline is Traction alopecia, caused by repeated pulling, snagging, twisting and rubbing around one’s edges due to tight styling, extended use of hair extensions, keeping the hair in a style for longer than recommended, or even over-use of tightly fitted hats.  Other potential causes include the use of harsh chemicals, harsh comb bristles, certain stylers, and even your hormones, genetics, diet, stress and medications.  With so many potential causes, its important to take notice of what is impacting you, personally, and seek solutions to address those causes, specifically.

How to Care for and Restore Your Edges

The number one way to restore your edges is by immediately taking care of how you’re nourishing and manipulating your hair follicles to avoid having them thin or fall out. Some of the quickest and easiest changes you can make include picking hair styles that don’t stress the edges, opting for a satin pillow that won’t dry out the hair and scalp, and using restorative, natural products that will repair and nourish your scalp, hair follicles and the oh-so-sensitive hairline.

Here are some of our favorite ingredients and products for keeping your edges and general hair healthy, vibrant and strong:

1. Haitian Black Castor Oil

Black Castor Seed oil is an age old remedy for promoting hair growth and hair health because it is packed with Ricinoleic acid, omega fatty acids and vitamin E which will enhance scalp and hair follicle strength and moisture, preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth not just on your edges, but your eyebrows and eyelashes ta boot!  This powerhouse ingredient is so nourishing, it is infused throughout our Scalp + Hair Care Collection for its health boosting power. - When hair is brittle and dry, no matter the cause, it’s important to replenish with nutrients and moisturizing agents from start to finish.

2. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has also been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for thickening hair due to its anti-microbial properties (which help clear away bacteria that may be blocking or damaging the hair follicles) and its anti-inflammatory, soothing properties (that can allow more hair strands to grow through the hair follicles) – major benefits to bringing the scalp, hair and those baby hairs back to life. Lucky for you, Kreyol Essence has carefully integrated the perfect mix of the two ingredients above within the Haitian Black Castor Oil - Lavender Hibiscus. Like the other Haitian Black Castor Oils it can be used by massaging a few drops into the scalp/skin to nourish, moisturize and alleviate stressed follicles to strengthen and stimulate growth along the hairline and the entire head, too!

3. Aloe Vera Leaf Juice

Thanks to the presence of minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamin A, B, C, and E, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice helps provide the scalp with many of the nutrients it needs to create a strong foundation for fortified hair strands.  All cells and tissues need vitamin A to grow, and the hair relies on Biotin (vitamin B) to look and feel healthy, while vitamin C helps your scalp and hair detox from oxidative stress, and vitamin E’s antioxidants help remove free-radicals from the hair and body.

Moreover, the proteolytic enzymes help remove dead skin cells and break down fats, stripping your hair of any extra oil (sebum) that may be blocking new hair growth and because it contains a similar pH level to our hair and scalp, it also aids in restoring any pH imbalances.

It’s easy to see why this is a main ingredient in several of Kreyol Essence’s products including the Haitian Black Castor Oil: Scalp Care Conditioner, Haitian Black Castor Oil: Goat + Coconut Growth Milk, and Pomad Kreyòl: Natural Scalp Treatment.

4. Haitian Moringa Oil

The emollient, antioxidant and antibacterial properties in Haitian Moringa Oil help to protect the hair follicles, stimulates growth, and moisturizes the scalp. If you’re looking for the perfect, natural product to keep your edges in place as you style your hair into careful, non-stressing styles, we recommend Kreyol Essence’s Haitian Moringa Oil: Sleek + Slick Edge Gel.  It will help ‘lay your edges’ without drying or damaging your hair which can easily and quickly lead to the dreaded thinning or loss of those precious baby hairs. The natural ingredients in this gel will strengthen and provide the support and nutrients your scalp and hair need to remain its healthiest, and flake-free to keep those swirls and waves flourishing!

So, although the process to revitalize your edges may require time and attention to health, habits and products, thriving edges are absolutely possible -- simple changes will lead to major benefits!

Be sure to check out kreyolessence.com to discover more of our clean and ethical products to achieve and maintain all your natural self-care needs!