This week I posted a tutorial on how to achieve a sleek on fleek bun or puff for thick and I mean THICK natural hair. While we all love the look of a neat, sleek bun and so many other styles for that matter, it made me think on how easy it is for those edges to be gone with the wind. So here are three tips that should help with keeping your edges intact.
CONSTANT TENSION IS NO GOOD! Whether it’s a bun, cornrows, box braids, or any other style your hair should not be so tight that there’s constant tension. If your head hurts or your eyebrows got an instant lift after a style, it’s probably not going to do anything for your edges. Constant tension weakens, thins, and ultimately deters hair from growing back to it’s healthiest state. I’ve often experienced thinning and even balding spots because of stylists braiding my hair too tight. It is not necessary to have a tight, uncomfortable hair style to achieve a neat appearance. Not sure how tight is too tight? In addition to headaches and instant eyebrow lifts small bumps and red irritation on the scalp are clear indicators of a style that is way to0 tights.
CONSTANT BRUSHING! Constant brushing is also a huge contributor to loss edges. Laying your edges with a brush for every single style will eventually weaken those already fragile hairs. Think of a beaten path or trail. It’s bare for a reason. Daily brushing in the same areas will eventually lead to thinning and eventually non existent edges. Also, hard bristle brushes will get you to no edges status a lot faster than a soft bristle brush. Don’t get caught up in the current fascination with laid edges. Let your edges be kinky and give them a break. It’s better to have kinky edges than no edges.
NO SATIN CAP, SAY NIGHT NIGHT EDGES! How your care for your hair while you sleep can also determine the fate of your edges. Similar to constant brushing, wearing head wraps with rougher fabrics at night can be too harsh for your edges. As you twist and turn at night, that fabric is rubbing and pulling at your edges. Instead of cotton and other rough fabrics, try a satin scarf or satin bonnet to tie your hair at night. Satin pillowcases are another option for naturals that like to sleep freely without a hair tie.
These three tips will prevent your hair from unnecessary thinning, breakage, and entrance into Li Mu Bai (google it and laugh) status.
