The first time I appreciated the importance of my hairline was when I lost a significant part of it on the right side of my head π . I had done faux locs for the first time in my life (aboutΒ 6 years ago). They were the “in”thing and I just had to rock them. And so I sat for one hour as four people pulled my head in all directions as they tightly fixed the locs. Days later, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t smile… and I cried… The pain… Whaaaat? I was in massive pain. Then the pain subsided and 6 weeks later, as I undid the locs, my hair fell off on the fore right side of my head. My hair line was destroyed. Yikes.
If you have met me (or if you look at my pics ;-)), you will notice that I have a no-joke kinda hairline; one that threatens to meet my eyebrows anytime. Lol. So when I lost so much of it, some people thought I had a mow-hawk π It was not funny at that time, but thinking about it now, I cant help but laugh.
Over the years I have learnt how to take care of my hairline. I have learnt how important it is to take care of my hairline as this is the aspect of our hair/skin interface that people see first. The hairline frames our face. So imagine a painting without a frame. It may look appealing but, it is incomplete. So to treasure this important aspect of our hair/face, here are some tips to help you protect your hairline:
1. Avoid tight styling
If you take me 6 years back, I would sue the stylists for this π When the box braids, locs, twists etc are installed with little or no mercy to the hairline, then it will be damaged. What’s worse is if you let the braids stay for a long period of timeΒ after tight installation. The longer they stay, the more the chances your hair will fall off. So avoid having the protective styles installed tightly. Do not hesitate to tell your stylist to have some mercy on the hairline when you feel it is too tight. If you are doing really big box braids or faux locs, you can ask your stylist to do a small three strand braid using your hair (matuta) then install the braid on top of it. This will reduce chances of hair loss along the hairline.
2. Give the hair a break
Constant styling and manipulation of your hair will have a negative effect on your hairline, if not the entire hair. Let your hair breath once in a while. Constant braiding and weaving is not healthy for your hairline. The hair strands will slowly thin and the hairline being very vulnerable, will succumb faster than the rest of your hair. So relax, and just give the hair a break. You can try out fun styles like bantu knots and twist outs or simple cornrows or, if you like, try wigs.
3. Useful oils to help the hairline grow back
So may be your hairline is damaged at the moment and you are wondering what to do. I would recommend that you try castor oil which is a stimulant of dormant hair follicle. Massage the oil along the hairline every single day. Alternatively, you can use coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, or mango butter. Shea butter and mango butter contain Vitamin A which is vital for growth and maintenance of follicles. Massaging the hairline with any of the above may stimulate the growth you really want. Do it everyday/consistently to get the results you want. But remember, before you apply the oils, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. π
4. Sleeping techniques
How we sleep at night has an impact on our natural hair. The tossing and turning against cotton pillow cases can cause breakage of the strands leading to hair loss. This equally applies to the hairline. You can protect the hairline and hair generally by covering your hair using a satin bonet. I got mine from Super Cosmetics, Nairobi, Kenya.Β You can also sleep on a satin covered pillow which helps reduce the impact of friction. Finally you can make chunky twist outs when going to bed. Avoid holding your hair in tight buns as this pulls the hairline. If you have braids, you can tie them loosely.Β
So I hope that these tips will be helpful towards the recovery of your hairline. Never lose hope π The hair will grow back. Just be consistent and kind to it. Till next time,
Just Margie.
Stl
June 7, 2016I love!!!!
margie
June 7, 2016Thank You Stella π
Olive
June 7, 2016Thank you for the useful tips on how to take care of the hairline. They are practical and affordable tips. My hairline has suffered from years of poor management and I finally chopped my hair to start afresh. I am seeing great progress on the left side but sloooow progress on the right side. Did you experience that when growing back your hairline? Can you share some before photos to give some of us hope π
margie
June 7, 2016hey Olive. Congrats on your big chop π I doubt i took photos when i had my hairline damaged. I can hardly recall but in case I find any, be sure that I will share it on my instagram page. As for the slow growth on one side, just curious, do you mostly sleep on your right side? I sleep on my back and i can assure you that’s where my growth has stagnated for a while. I would advice that you Give extra care and attention to your right side π
Olive
June 10, 2016Than you. Yes I tend to sleep on my right side more. I keep giving hairline TLC .
Sonnie
June 7, 2016Thank you!!!
Vivienne
June 7, 2016Very informative
margie
June 7, 2016π
Jemimah Jasmine
June 7, 2016thank you!!!
margie
June 7, 2016π
Abigail
June 7, 2016Helpful.
njeri J
June 8, 2016protective braiding…that one ya kushuka nywele kwanza then the braid on top. that has worked for me.
in other news,that lipstick looks good on you. which brand and number is it?
margie
June 8, 2016That works very well too. ?
Trish
June 8, 2016How do you achieve the curls in your pictures? I have my natural hair out and i’d love to try styling my hair like that! They look bomb!
margie
June 8, 2016Hi Trish, I did Bantu knots. Am preparing a tutorial so stay tuned ?
edna
June 9, 2016Lovely read ….Need to go work on mine (Hairline)
margie
June 9, 2016All the best π
Kiai
June 9, 2016Love this post! I never knew that castor oil could be used to recover my hairline. So when you say moisturize, which products do you recommend for relaxed hair?
margie
June 9, 2016Hey Kiai, water is moisturiser. so dont leave the hairline dry because that makes the strands brittle leading to breakage π
Wendy
June 17, 2016Am in love with this blog
margie
June 21, 2016Thanks Wendy ?
Khahukani
June 19, 2016Awesome piece lost my hairline of 5 yr old hair… had to cut it all …. and start a fresh… now what style do u recommend for a 6 month old hair ?!
margie
June 21, 2016You can try using bows, and hair accessories. Depending on the length, Bantu knots can be great ?
Merceline
June 23, 2016And I had to read this just before I do faux locs!! Haha. Oh my, since I’m already at the salon, lemme just be strict on my hairline. But thanks girlie! First post I’ve read so far ?????βΊβ€
margie
June 26, 2016Hahaha Merceline, hope they did not damage your hairline. Rock the look as you take care of your hairline as well π
Jane Akura
June 25, 2016Hi honey!! Advice well taken I lost part of my hairline in December and it hasn’t grown back yet. It annoys me. I know this will work.
margie
June 26, 2016Yes Jane, It will work. Massage every night with castor oil
Cate
December 1, 2017Hi dear, help me with a mosturising routine, how often, what to use?, do i wash my hair before i mosturise?