How to manage and stop that receding hairline

Because of the many hair trends today, many women are living on the edge. Each one wants hot braids, weaves, hair color, chemicals, treatment and even high buns. Unfortunately, some of them end up suffering from a receding or thinning hair line.

 If your hairline feels smooth, similar to the shiny scar that grows back after you hurt your elbow, it may never grow back. Other than genetics, hormonal changes as a result of pregnancy or certain medication, and ageing, a receding hairline can be caused by other factors.

Receding/thinning hairline scientifically known as frontal fibrosing alopecia is a condition the hair line recedes. Most of the time, it affects the entire scalp. This condition causes your hairline to thin to a point where your follicles cease to grow hair. So how do you stop it? :

• Stop wearing tight hairdos such as braids, weaves or ponytails that pull your eyes back. The word tight should never be part of your hairstyling vocabulary. If your hairline is thinning, only wear a wig if you have to, throw it out  when you get home to allow your hair to breathe.

• Stop applying chemicals on your already damaged hairline. If you want to straighten your hair, moderately flat iron, gently blow dry, wrap or wet set. You can consider natural hairstyles to give your hair a chemical break.

• Scalp massage will give your hair follicles some well-deserved TLC. Gently massage your hair using the scalp of your fingers. Do this for about ten minutes daily. Use healthy (natural) oils like coconut, almond or castor for the massage, to avoid clogging the pores.

• In consultation with your doctor, take some supplements or vitamins. Even as you take them, remember your hairline regrowth will not be instant. A healthy diet made up of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and plenty of water will also help. Your doctor can also prescribe medication that you can either apply or swallow to remedy the problem.

• Stop brushing your hair heavily, especially when using brushes that have tough bristles, which tend to rip out your hair and thin the edges. Buy a soft-bristled brush to use on your hair.

• Many women apply gel to flatten their baby hair on the hairline. Once in a while is okay, but if you make it a habit, start saying goodbye to your hairline. Some of the gels that promise to leave those edges laid contain a lot of alcohol, which has a damaging and drying effect to the hair.

• Wash your hair using a fortifying shampoo at least thrice a week. Massage the shampoo into your hair and let it stay on for a few minutes before you rinse it off.

For now, your hairline is thinning and you want to hide it:

• Always let your hair fall on your face when you comb it. Avoid hairstyles that pull your hair back as this emphasizes the look you are avoiding.

• A blunt or straight bang would be ideal to hide the thinning hairline. You can also try side swept bangs.

• Research shows that weaving the hair to hide the hairline only worsens the condition. Go, instead, for human hair wigs that can be washed and set.

• Go for a short haircut so that the contract between your receding hairline and the rest of your hair is reduced.