Your edges—also known as your baby hairs or hairline—are the most delicate part of your hair. Thin, fragile, and prone to breakage, they need intentional care to stay full and strong. Your edges are mostly affected due to mechanical damage, meaning damage that you’re causing yourself whether it be in the form of styling choices, accessories or handling. In this article we’ll discuss the top culprits that are affecting your edges and what to do instead. Let’s dive in!

Here’s what you need to know to keep your edges in great shape.

1. Avoid Excessive Tension

Tight styles are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to thinning edges. Braids, ponytails, buns, and weaves that pull too tightly on your hairline can lead to traction alopecia—hair loss caused by tension.

What to do instead:

• • Choose looser styles, especially around the edges.
  • Let your stylist know you prefer minimal tension.
  • Avoid repeating tight styles back-to-back; give your edges a break.

Why Your Hairline is More Vulnerable to Traction Alopecia

2. Be Gentle When Styling

The way you brush, slick, or manipulate your edges can impact their health over time. Vigorous brushing or using hard-edge control brushes daily can lead to breakage.

Healthier habits:

• • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or edge brush.
  • Avoid brushing your edges every day—let them rest.
  • Choose lightweight gels or edge controls that don’t flake or dry out the hair.

3. Keep Edges Moisturized

Just like the rest of your hair, your edges need moisture to stay flexible and less prone to breakage. Dry, brittle edges are more likely to snap.

Tips:

• • Apply a light oil or leave-in conditioner to your edges several times a week.
  • Avoid heavy products that can clog follicles or build up on the hairline.

4. Protect Your Edges at Night

Nighttime care plays a big role in maintaining healthy edges. Friction from cotton pillowcases or rough sleeping habits can gradually wear away the hairline.

Try this:

• • Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase.
  • Wrap your edges with a satin scarf or wear a satin bonnet at night.
  • Avoid sleeping in tight styles that put tension on your edges.

Click here for your nighttime hair routine

5. Limit Heat and Harsh Chemicals

Frequent flat-ironing or blow-drying your edges can weaken them over time. Similarly, over-processing with relaxers or color can cause damage.

Protective moves:

• • Use a heat protectant if applying heat near your edges.
  • Avoid overlapping relaxers on your edges.
  • Space out chemical treatments to give hair time to recover.

Click here for 7 tips to heat style your hair with minimal damage

6. Scalp Care Matters Too

Your edges grow from your scalp, so a healthy scalp is non-negotiable. Clogged follicles, buildup, and inflammation can all affect your hairline.

Edge-friendly scalp care:

• • Cleanse your scalp regularly, including around the hairline.
  • Exfoliate gently if you notice product buildup.
  • Consider scalp massages to stimulate blood flow.

Click here for your scalp care routine

7. Be Mindful of Accessories

Scarves, wigs, headbands, and hats can all cause damage to your edges if not worn properly.

What to watch for:

• • Make sure elastic bands aren’t too tight.
  • Line your headbands or hats with satin or silk.
  • Choose glueless wigs or apply adhesives carefully and sparingly.

8. Practice Patience if You're Re-Growing Your Edges

If you’re trying to regrow thinning edges, remember: it takes time. Focus on creating a gentle, consistent routine that supports hair growth and avoids further damage.

Consider:

• • Growth-stimulating oils like rosemary, thyme, and pumpkin.
  • Staying consistent for at least 3–6 months before expecting visible results.
  • Consulting a trichologist or dermatologist if you suspect underlying conditions like alopecia areata or hormonal imbalances.

Click here for a deep dive int the importance of consistency in your hair routine

When Is It Too Late to Regrow Your Edges?

In many cases, with the right care and consistency, edges can grow back. But there are times when the damage may be more permanent—especially if the hair follicles have been scarred or destroyed. Here are some signs:

• Smooth, shiny patches on your hairline where hair once grew—this can indicate scarring or permanent follicle damage.
• No regrowth after 6–12 months of consistent healthy hair practices.
• A long history of tight styles or chemical burns that have repeatedly irritated the same areas.
• A diagnosis of scarring alopecia or other medical conditions confirmed by a trichologist or dermatologist.

What You Can Do:

• Seek professional help. A trichologist or dermatologist can examine your scalp and determine whether your follicles are still active.
• Consider treatments like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or microneedling, which may help in borderline cases.
• Focus on preservation. If some areas can't grow back, protecting the surrounding hair and maintaining overall scalp health becomes even more important.

It’s never too early to start caring for your edges—but sometimes, waiting too long can reduce your options. If you're starting to notice thinning, now is the time to act.