How to Grow Back Your Edges: 5 Simple Steps

If you’ve noticed your edges thinning or disappearing, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. In this post we are going over how to grow back your edges in 5 simple steps.

What Causes Damaged Edges?

Before you can focus on how to grow back your edges, you have to understand what caused the damage in the first place. Edges are some of the most fragile hairs on your head. They’re thinner, more exposed to friction and styling, and they respond quickly to stress.

In my case, the damage came from several factors:

• Tight hairstyles like braids, high buns, and ponytails
• Daily use of edge control gels that dried out my hairline
• Neglecting scalp care, especially around my edges
• Poor nighttime protection, like cotton pillowcases or no scarf at all

For others, it can be hormonal. Conditions like PCOS, thyroid issues, or postpartum shedding are known causes of hair thinning around the hairline. Stress, both emotional and physical, can also trigger shedding.

What Should You Focus On?

The foundation of growing back your edges comes down to three key areas:

1. Zero Tension
   Give your edges a break from all forms of tension. This includes braids, tight buns, ponytails, and even headbands. If a style pulls on your scalp or leaves your edges sore, it’s doing damage nonmatter how neat it looks .
2. Scalp Health
   Your scalp is the base for all hair growth. A clean, moisturized, and stimulated scalp is essential if you want to grow back your edges. I started treating my scalp like I treat my skin: cleansing gently, hydrating it, and nourishing it regularly.
3. Consistency
   You won’t see results overnight. But if you stick with a healthy routine, your hairline can recover. I didn’t do anything extreme just stuck with small, simple habits daily.

Step 1: Figure Out the Reason for the Hair Loss

You can’t solve a problem you don’t understand. For me, the problem was mostly mechanical—too much pulling and product buildup. But for others, it could be internal.

Take time to reflect:

• Have you changed your diet?
• Are you dealing with stress, hormonal shifts, or a medical condition?
• Is your hairline thinning evenly, or are there bald patches?

If it’s hormonal, you may need to address it from the inside. In those cases, topical treatments alone won’t work. The clearer you are about the cause, the more effective your plan will be.

The leading hormonal cause for hair loss is high testosterone levels . Check this post on How to lower Testosterones in Women by Healing PCOS Blog

Step 2: Stop Pulling on Your Edges

Once I figured out that tension was a big part of my hairline loss, I changed how I styled my hair. No more tight braids, slick buns, or drawstring ponytails. I even avoided protective styles unless they were loose and low manipulation.

If you’re serious about learning how to grow back your edges, you have to stop putting pressure on them. Try low-tension styles like twist-outs, loose buns, or wearing your hair out. Give your edges room to breathe.

Step 3: Limit Use of Products Like Edge Gels

I used to apply edge control daily. I thought my hair needed to be slicked every day to look “done.” But those gels are often full of alcohol and synthetic ingredients that dry out your hairline.

Eventually, I switched to more natural alternatives like aloe vera gel or flaxseed gel. I also stopped laying my edges every day. Now I only use edge control occasionally, and I make sure to cleanse and moisturize my hairline after.

When you want to grow back your edges, it’s important to reduce buildup and keep the area nourished—not just styled.

Step 4: Establish a Night Routine (Oil + Massage)

This is one of the simplest changes I made, and honestly, it made a huge difference.

Every night, I applied a small amount of oil to my edges. I preferred Jamaican black castor oil for its thickness and nourishing properties, but I’ve also used rosemary oil for its ability to stimulate growth. After applying, I massaged my edges for a few minutes using gentle, circular motions with my fingertips.

Scalp massage increases blood flow, which helps deliver nutrients to the follicles. I also started wearing a satin or silk bonnet every night to reduce friction. Cotton pillowcases were drying out my edges and causing breakage, especially around the temples.

These two habits helped create the right environment for my hair to grow.

Step 5: Try Microneedling or Derma Rolling together with Minodixil

I haven’t tried this personally, but I came across it on Reddit where many users reported strong regrowth results, especially for edges. The method combines microneedling with 5% minoxidil.

Microneedling involves using a roller with fine needles (0.25–0.5 mm) to create micro-injuries on the scalp. This boosts blood flow and improves product absorption. Applying 5% minoxidil after microneedling can enhance its effectiveness. Minoxidil works by prolonging the growth phase of hair and enlarging follicles.

If you try this:

• Use a sterilized derma roller once a week.
• Apply minoxidil after rolling, not before.
• Avoid if you have a sensitive or inflamed scalp.

This method isn’t for everyone, but for those with stubborn thinning, it may be worth exploring.

Check out this reddit post on how the lady in the above image is using Minoxidil to regrow her edges.

Final Thoughts : How to grow back your edges

Growing back your edges is possible. It requires patience, gentleness, and consistency. I had to unlearn a lot of habits and give my hairline the space and care it needed to heal.

To recap how to grow back your edges:

• Understand the cause
• Avoid tension
• Limit harsh products
• Commit to a nightly care routine
• Consider advanced techniques if needed

Most importantly, treat your edges with the same care you would give to anything fragile and valuable. They may be small, but they deserve protection.

You don’t need a hundred products or extreme measures. Just a clear plan, some consistency, and a lot of kindness to your hair.