Regrowing Thin Edges And Bald Spots Caused By Alopecia With Essential Oils

Contents:

• What’s Going On?
• Avoid Braiding
• Avoid Tight Ponytails Or Tight Updos
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals
• Using Essential Oils To Regrow Your Hair
• Final Considerations

What’s Going On?

Thin edges caused by traction alopecia used to be a rare condition in black women up until the early 90’s but with the large scale popularization of weaves*, it is now more common than ever, particularly among younger women.

It’s a shame that most of these women don’t know that by slightly adjusting their regimens they could turn the act of wearing weave into a means by which to achieve long healthy hair of their own. Sadly, even now some are ignorant of this fact.

The truth is unless you are like the Chadian women who don’t mind too much that the rest of their hair has galloped past their hairlines – thin edges in stark comparison to the rest of their flowing mane – then you want to have a thick hairline to match the rest of your crown. The women from Chad tend to go for the sparse hairline look for a certain aesthetic appeal because it gives the illusion of a protruding forehead which in their culture, means they are beautiful.

Thankfully most of us have come to realize the potential pitfalls of tight braiding (micro-braiding & cornrows included) which gives us a better chance at arresting any issues with thinning edges before they begin; but, for those who have already been struck with traction alopecia, all there is to do is to try to find a way to regrow those edges.

Alopecia Areata, on the other hand, causes round patches of hair loss currently thought to be an autoimmune condition. With this type of alopecia, if the hair loss is not comprehensive (all over the body), the hair will regrow in a few months with or without treatment but it can’t hurt to speed things along.

In the case of traction alopecia, before even embarking on a treatment plan, you absolutely MUST stop what it is that you were doing to cause the thinning in the first place.

Avoid Braiding

It is best to avoid any type of braiding: micros, weaves* & cornrows, while treating traction alopecia. Normally, we would advise you to give them up altogether for the duration of your treatment since they tend to weaken the hairline by placing tension on the follicles beneath the scalp; however, if you are the type of person who finds braiding to be your best option for a protective style then this is what we suggest:

• Limit the duration that you would usually keep your hair in a braided style If you are used to going four weeks with your braids it may be to your benefit to reduce that time drastically to just one week but no more than two weeks. This way you lessen the amount of time your follicles endure the pull of the braided style.
• You can get the braided look for special occasions only to give your hairline time to breath without tension.
• You can install crochet braids for the braided look. There are various methods that you can employ to rock the style without actually braiding your own hair underneath. With regards to limiting the tension on individual strands at the hairline, you can opt for installing reasonably sized individual twists or braids with your own hair before adding the crochet extensions* on top.
• Make crown braids a staple hairstyle. Create the crown braid using extensions* to form a braid long enough to wrap around the affected area and then pin it in place to hide the hairline. At night you can apply your treatment to the hairline easily without messing with the hairdo too much.

Avoid Tight Ponytails Or Tight Updos

These hairstyles put stress on the hair follicles around your hairline, which is where most thinning occurs. The hairstyles also leave your edges exposed which will tempt you to try to slick down or sculpt the few strands left in an attempt to achieve artistic looking baby hairs. All that stress appled to try to “slay them edges”  is just not worth it. Pick a style that hides your edges instead and leave the fuzz alone so it can have a fighting chance at growing back strong.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

This should be self explanatory but I will mention it anyway. Avoid any harsh chemicals coming into contact with your scalp, these include relaxers and hair dye too. Keep your hair products as natural as possible.

Contents:

• What’s Going On?
• Avoid Braiding
• Avoid Ponytails Or Tight Updos
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals
• Using Essential Oils To Regrow Your Hair
• Final Considerations

Using Essential Oils To Regrow Your Hair

Have you ever noticed how lots of Indian Ayurvedic hair growth recipes feature an oil mix? Worthy of mention too is the frequency with which oil is traditionally applied to the hair.

The truth is, oils are essential for hair growth particularly if your hair has a tendency to dryness. Dryness is the enemy of the growth we desire since dry hair leads to breakage. Oils come in handy when it comes time to condition and seal in moisture into your hair.

A lot of the evidence around essential oils* is anecdotal so if it’s your first experience with hair loss, it would be better to stick with the essential oils that have some scientific backing. Some essential oils* have been shown in studies to help with stimulating dormant hair follicles, and this helps to regrow hair that was lost. Some others have been shown to increase the hair growth rate in general.

In a randomized double-blind controlled trial, Isabelle C Hay et al showed an improvement in 44% of cases of alopecia areata. In this study they used:

3 drops of Lavender oil

2 drops of Thyme oil

3 drops of Rosemary oil

2 drops of Cedarwood oil

These oils were mixed in a carrier oil mixture which was a combination of Jojoba oil approx 1/2 teaspoon, and Grapeseed oil approx 4 teaspoons.

In the study, Eighty-six patients were randomized into 2 groups. The active group massaged the aforementioned oil mixture into their scalp daily. The control group used only carrier oils for their massage, also daily.

The results showed that 44% of patients in the active group showed improvement compared with just 15% of patients in the control group and that the degree of improvement on photographic assessment was significant. They concluded that aromatherapy is a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata.

Of course, there is no reason why the same recipe would not work in cases of traction alopecia too. The oils* should be massaged into the affected area for at least 2 minutes every night.

I’ve seen some people have success by omitting one or two of the essential oils* or even with the addition of peppermint oil but results may vary depending on your own degree of hair loss, the recipe you use, and your dedication to the process of applying the oils nightly.

It is actually using this wonderful study as inspiration that I created Elongtress Hair Growth Enhancer Oils. They contain the very blend of essential oils that have been shown to improve hair growth with the addition castor oil* which I’m sure needs no introduction as a hair growth oil all on its own. Together they create a powerful combination that will restore your hair in no time. Check them out here:

I can’t stress the importance of stopping what you are doing that’s harming your hairline before it becomes really bad e.g Naomi Campbell’, who recently got a hair replacement surgery done to remedy her alopecia issues.

Thinning edges and a small bald spot can be regrown with dedicated treatment but not all traction alopecia or alopecia areata can be reversed.

Final Considerations

I can’t stress the importance of stopping what you are doing that’s harming your hairline right now before it’s too late. Sometimes alopecia can be irreversible by natural means, especially if it’s long-standing. For this reason, it is important that you give careful consideration to the styling options you choose for your hair each and every time. Otherwise your only choice for a full hairline will be a hair transplant.

Note, that even after you have resolved to massage your oil mix into the affected area daily does not mean that you can continue as you were before you commenced treatment. Remember, if you do what you have always done, you’re gonna get what you’ve always got. Learn how to build a good hair regimen and you will soon be on your way to healthier hair.

Updated by Marsha Buchannan