It seems as if the one who stands at the frontline is always the most vulnerable. Like frontline soldiers in an army who are most visible on the battlefield, so is it with our hair edges or hairline. Our edges are the most exposed section of our hair and therefore has a higher susceptibility to damage.

Preventing the loss of the hair immediately along the hairline is a huge struggle. This hair is usually very delicate and typically of a finer texture than the hair on other parts of your head. This makes it more difficult to avoid them breaking off or completely pulling out from the roots.

The fact is that your edges or hairline frames your face and is the part of your hair that is most visible to the eye. If I am experiencing issues with hair loss in the middle or in the back of my hair, it would surely raise concerns but having to deal with messed up edges is more of a huge deal. Loss at the hairline is not as easy to conceal or cover up as loss in the middle, for example. People are more aware of it and this will undoubtedly lead to heightened self-consciousness.

While some hair loss around the edges is temporary and will grow back after a while, some can be permanent with follicular damage. This is unfortunately irreparable.  It is therefore very important that all the necessary steps are taken to prevent such irreversible damages.

Paying attention to the following 5 details will be of paramount importance in your bid to maintain healthy edges:

1.    Minimize Tension

As cute as many hairstyles are, they are not always in the best interest of our edges. Styles that require a tight pulling of the hair can cause the weakening and gradual elimination of edges. Ponytails have that well-groomed, flawless appeal that we all like. It is totally okay to wear them once in a while without fear of serious damage. Wearing them daily on the other hand will place too much tension on your hairline and even cause strands to get popped out from the roots.

Braiding too tightly can have the same effect on your hairline. Since your edges are the most fragile part of your hair, it may not be able to withstand the pulling and tugging that is associated with installing braids or cornrows. Because natural hair generally has a kinkier or curlier texture than relaxed hair, it is more challenging to achieve sleek looking edges if they are not pulled tightly. Don’t consider the instant gratification but think about the long term effects that this hair practice can have on your hair. Opt to do looser styles and depend on the aid of edge-control products to provide that smooth, sleek look. Applying a scarf for a few minutes will also assist in getting the hair to lay flat.

2.    Beware of Satin Caps or Scarves

I know it may seem ironic that I am raising caution about the very things that are often worn to protect the hair. While bonnets and scarves do a great job at protecting the hair, they can also have long term adverse effects on your edges. The fact that the hair coverings rest on your hairline for hours and hours cause them to place pressure on that soft, delicate portion of your hair.

If the scarf is made of cotton or any other fabric that may be on the rougher side, it will cause friction and eventually cause breakage. The situation can be significantly escalated if a scarf with elastic is worn. If you notice that your edges are suffering because you wear these hair coverings, try pulling them below the hairline instead of having them rest directly on it. Don’t just forsake the use of these otherwise beneficial items. Instead make the necessary adjustments to ensure that one section of hair doesn’t flourish at the expense of another.

3.    The Inconvenience of Wigs   

Wigs are more popular today than ever before in the history of black hair. Not only are they convenient and versatile but with the recent economic downturn, women are no longer able to just spit out coins every couple of weeks to get a fresh hairdo. Wigs present a welcome alternative and provide a timely solution to this problem. Beauticians all around can attest to the fact that salon businesses have made a turn for the worse as beauty supply stores have capitalized on this trend and are now even installing theses wigs as a complimentary perk. I agree that wigs are a convenient and affordable option but as cool as they are, they also are a nuisance to our edges.

The lace front wig, which is sometimes glued to the head to offer a more lasting hairdo, is notorious for leaving many women bald at the hairline. The issue arises because of the improper practice of just ripping the wig from the head. This results in the hair under the glued sections being literally uprooted with the glue. The safest thing to do is to have a professional remove it but even then there can still be instances of hair loss. Wearing wigs secured with comb clips or adjustable straps is a smarter option. Exercise care and as with everything else, do it in moderation. Still, having a wig sitting on your hair every single day will pressure your hairline and cause it to experience breakage or bald spots.

4.    Accessory Aggravation 

By now you may have gathered that your edges don’t like to be bothered, but prefer to be left alone. As in the case of scarves and bonnets, wearing hair accessories such as hats and headbands can also be harmful for your edges. If these accessories rest on the hairline, they can cause friction which will ultimately lead to breakage over time. Headbands not only pose a threat to your hair at the front edges but also the nape. Again, if you chose to wear these accessories, be sure to push them down below or up above the exact hairline. Try to also limit the frequency with which these are worn so as to minimize the likelihood of causing damage.

5.    Harsh Ingredients in Facial Cleansers

I know, I know. It seems as if everything you do that is seemingly beneficial turns out to cause some harm along with the good. I guess that’s just the way life is. The reality, however, is that in this case, washing with some facial cleansers which may contain harmful ingredients such as alcohol, can actually cause damage to your hair.

The process of cleansing the face usually result in the cleanser making contact with your edges.  The ingredients in our cleansers, masks or scrubs may be damaging or drying to the already fragile hair at the front of our head. The aggressive rubbing involved when washing the face can cause hair to get snagged or popped. Extreme care should be taken to avoid these products from coming into contact with your hair or in instances when this is unavoidable, ensure that every effort is made to completely rinse it from your hair. Taking care during this process can spare you some unwanted and unnecessary hair woes.

Getting to the root of the problem can help us arrive at a solution. This is not always an option as some problems are unfixable, and with that in mind, it is best to make every effort to prevent them from occurring. Take the best care of your hair in general and your edges, specifically. It not only contributes to your hair looking well groomed but it contributes to an overall healthier head of hair.

Candie's Natural Hairnamix was birthed a few months after Jamaican native Rossette "Candie" Allen began her natural hair journey in May 2010. She gears this column toward naturals, transitioning naturals, aspiring naturals and the naturally curious, sharing experiences, expertise and experiments while celebrating emancipation from chemical slavery.