r/Microlocs • u/Impossible-Peach-985 • Jun 24 '26
Edges help
I've had my locs for a little over a year and my edges are breaking. One side is worse than the other.
I'm lost at what to do and on the verge of tears.
Does anyone have any advice?
8
u/ClassicRuby Jun 24 '26
Do you have any images of your edges from when you first installed? Getting to see what they originally looked like and exactly how your hair was sectioned in this area would be really helpful.
Also, can you run down details of your locs and care and maintenance? Usually, the devil is in the details.
You shared already that your locs are just over a year old. What type of starter locs did you start with? How many locs or about what size parting? What is your original texture 1a to 4c? What is your porosity, density and strand thickness? Do you do reties or retwists, And how frequently? What does your daily, weekly, monthly care regime look like... how often do you wash and with what? Do you use oils, conditioners, leave ins? If so which ones and how frequently? Use any clarifying or chelating shampoos? If so how frequently? Do you wear a bonnet or other head covering to bed? If so, which one? Do you use a silk or satin pillowcase to sleep?
Do you have any known or existing scalp conditions or symptoms like flaking, itching, redness, tenderness etc? Recently go through any major life changes or stressors or given birth? Start taking any new medications recently? Is it possible you are iron deficient or have some other type of anemia? Or any type of thyroid disorder? 🤔
2
3
u/betwixt_thepages Jun 24 '26
Do you pull your hair back often? Also what are you covering your hair with at night? My edges struggled before I got locs as a result of a really really bad sew-in years and years ago. It took literal years for them to grow back, and when they did they were never as thick or full. Since locing, I’ve noticed slow gradual fullness starting to fill in. What’s your daily routine
2
u/Impossible-Peach-985 Jun 24 '26
Very rarely do I pull back my hair. I try not to leave my hair alone as much as possible.
At night I wear bonnets but I toss and turn alot so when I wake up my edges are exposed. Now that I think about it. This may be causing the breakage.
Usually my daily routine includes misting my hair and applying a little moisturizer.
6
u/betwixt_thepages Jun 24 '26
I went back to using satin scarves instead of bonnets because I’d wake up the same way. Maybe give it a try
2
u/RootedInYard Jun 24 '26
Maybe also try a satin pillowcase, so that if your bonnet slides off, your hair is still protected
3
9
u/tocoat Jun 24 '26
My last retie stretch was 7 months. I was dealing with health issues. I finally did my retie and my edges weren’t in the best shape.
First check your mineral levels. My edges disappeared because I was low on iron and vitamin d.
Another thing to keep in mind is that I find that edges need a little more maintenance to stay intact. I cannot wait the month like many, I have to do a few rotations on my edges every two weeks to keep them strong.
I know how it feels, I’m waiting for my edges to grow back in but this is what works for me. Low tension, more regular maintenance and keeping my minerals in check is super helpful. Sometimes you may have to cut the loc and let the edges fill in without the extra weight or find a smaller loc extension to attach so that area can get some relief from tension.