By Choya Randolph
As naturals, we can put our hair through a lot. Sometimes we don’t even understand the consequences of certain things we do to our hair. You can be too rough or impatient when detangling or blow drying. Maybe you go overboard when it comes to styling your edges. Whether that’s brushing them too much or pulling on them when styling. Those tight ponytails can take its toll. Sometimes, our protective hairstyles can even turn on us by pulling at our roots too often. Even wigs can have their cons. That Got2Be glue may be snatching your edges, literally. After months of doing these things, we may notice our edges thinning or even a bald spot. Seeing your hair fall out is heartbreaking but once you’re done having a mental breakdown, let’s go over ways we can get your hair back.
First, go see a dermatologist. They don’t just specialize in skin but in hair as well. A dermatologist will have the knowledge and resources to give you professional advice that is special just for you. A dermatologist will also be able to point out any health issues you may have. A bald spot and thinning edges could be a consequence of us not properly taking care of our hair but it also could be a sign of alopecia or genetic hair loss. For bigger issues like alopecia, you will require a professional like a dermatologist. Before you start crying again, I am not saying you have alopecia. I’m not a dermatologist. I’m only encouraging you to take the proper steps to combat hair loss.
For those who don’t have health insurance or can’t afford a dermatologist, let’s get into some tips. When trying to get rid of a bald spot, you might want to start oiling your scalp. There are many oils that promote hair growth. You’ll have to find what oil works for you. If you already have an oil that does wonders for your hair, start applying it to your scalp every couple of days. Make sure you massage it into your scalp. This will increase blood flow which promotes hair growth. When it comes to oiling your edges, be gentle. You don’t want the friction from your massage to pull out even more edge hairs. Focus the massages on areas that are completely bald. When dealing with thinning, gently apply a small amount of oil. Using too much will clog your roots which could halt your hair growth.
The next step is vitamins. What we put in our body affects our hair so taking the right vitamins can provide you with nutrients to speed up your hair growth or help your hair grow thicker. Again, talk to a dermatologist on what vitamins will work the best for you.
Biotin is a vitamin that’s good for not only your hair but for your skin and nails too. It is related to the utilization of amino acids. Our hair is mostly protein and if you remember high school, you’ll know that amino acids are the compounds that form proteins.
Vitamin A could also promote your hair growth to get rid of that bald spot. Though vitamin A is known for strengthening our eye sight, it also plays a role in growth and development. When dealing with a bald spot, you want your body to be in the best shape for reproduction so it can reproduce you some hair. You can also take vitamin B. Vitamin B is rich in folic acid which promotes healthy cell growth. It can possibly help generate new hair growth however, it probably won’t thicken your hair. When it comes to vitamins, don’t be afraid to consume them. If you take too many, your body will simply urinate it out.
Dealing with bald spots and hair thinning is not fun but remember, it’s just hair. If you don’t have a hair loss related condition, it should grow back naturally on its own. These are just tips to speed up and promote growth. The most important thing is to be patient. While you wait for your hair to grow, show love to yourself and your scalp.