PART 2: How I Reclaimed My Hair
Q: How did I save my receding edges?
To be honest, I may have halted the progression but although 80% of my edges are back, they will probably never be the same again. As I said previously in the 'How I Reclaimed My Hair' blog series, one of the most common causes for our loss of edges is the face lifting styles that literally pull our hair out from its roots.
Other causes include:
Ø Tight hairbands and head scarfs
Ø Hair products that make hair brittle or ‘friable’
Ø Genetics (yikes )
Fear not though. If you are lucky, the damage may be reversible and your hair can grow back.
If you've sat in the salon chair and marveled (in pain) at your stylist's grip game, you probably know the wrenching, pulsating pain and itch that you face after subsequently leaving the salon. We need to promise ourselves and each other that we will never again expose ourselves to that level of discomfort, because that pain and discomfort (that we've been conditioned to quietly sit through) is our body's way of responding to damage. Unfortunately for many, the damage results in scarring and permanent decommissioning of the follicles, SO: Take those tight braids out, no matter how much they cost you! The innumerable damage they have the potential to cause far surpasses any money you may have spent.
Take those tight braids out, no matter how much they cost you!
Here are some early signs your hairline is at risk:
Pain, discomfort or burning sensation
Tiny little bumps where the hair strand emerges from the scalp
Redness
Bleeding (intense- I know)
TAKING ACTION
I believe in prevention, so the first thing I did was to stop the tight styles. This was the single most important step I took. After a few failed attempts to get my stylist to braid me 'loose', I decided it was time to put my childhood years of doing my dolls' hair (admittedly 60% braiding 40% chopping with kitchen scissors) to work. Admittedly my braiding skills were always above average but I took them to a whole new level!
Next, I stopped brushing my edges and stopped using edge control gels. The hair along our edges is generally very thin and easily breakable, so the less we manipulate it, the better.
Q: Which products did you use?
I don’t know of one single magic potion that miraculously and instantaneously restores permanently damaged hair follicles (If you do, your first million should be in your mailbox), but I will have another blog documenting my experiences with different hair products. I can say that through trial and error, I eventually found what combination of ingredients with my hairline. I must stress, not all hair loss is the same. What worked best for me was to stop the cause of damage before any permanent damage occurred.
Not all hair loss is the same
Q: How long has it taken to see a significant difference?
Approximately 6 months. It could have been sooner but I wasted time and money on products without drastically changing style habits!
I’ll leave you with this:
If you experienced or are experiencing hair loss of any kind, don’t wait until the loss is permanent. Take decisive steps such as:
1. Take action NOW before it’s too late!
2. If you're at the point where you're left with just a few strands or thin vellus hair, consult your doctor who may refer you to a dermatologist for help. Not all is lost, there is treatment that she/he may suggest.
Till next time – Tata!
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