Two Weeks Later: My Edges are Gone from Temple to Temple. What now?

[MissJ]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Since people keep mentioning it, this is the thread where I was told I didn't have to take tips from the board. I took the advice and did what I had been doing before. My hair was fine.
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=7370

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

Hmmm.... I don't know what to say. The braids didn't look tight, but obviously the proof is in the pudding if your edges are gone.

I hope the ladies gave you some good advice. I would definitely be wary of getting braids again since you had such a bad experience this time around. Man, and there are all kinds of horror stories from so-called professionals and people who have suffered breakage at their hands.

I'm sorry this happened to you. And with some TLC your edges will come back.

 

[Nazarite27]

I posted two weeks ago about some cornrows I had gotten. I took them out this weekend, and I thought I had a heck of a lot of shedding for them just being in for 2 weeks. As I took them out, I noticed long strands of hair with bulbs on the ends of them. The end result was the my hairline was gone from temple to temple (one side worse than the other), and then a little futher back there's a bald spot where the other corn rows started.
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=161359

I am quite shocked that this would happen since I went to a licensed beautician, plus I never had this done before, didn't know what to expect. I've never had a hair problem since I've been here and was even advised by board members that I shouldn't take advice from this part of the board since my hair was already thriving before I got here. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=7370 (That's why most of my posts are in off topic). Now, I have a real hair problem and need help solving it. This sucks! Oh yeah, and it's hard out there for a natural.

I'm sorry that this has happened to you.

To each his own, but this is why I don't get cornrows. Too much pulling of the hair -- just to get it in a cornrow. That, in my opinion, is a lot of stress on the hair and scalp.

I don't allow anyone to braid my edges either.

I remember when my niece had cornrows. When I took them out, there was a spot in the top of her head that was the size of a 50 cent piece. OMG. The area was smooth and bald as hell!! Needless to say, she was devastated and shocked!!

Anywho...I told her to mix MSM with castor oil (JBCO or regular), and within a very short time, that spot was FULLY covered.

Miss J, your edges will grow back with a lot of TLC and time.

You've got a mountain load of support on this board.

 

[sonce]

You probably already know that patience and watchfulness are the key to regrowing your edges, but a less obvious tip is to avoid irritating your scalp by rubbing too many products into it. If your scalp in this area shed all its hair, it's because it is disturbed in some way and very delicate right now. Remember that rubbing the area - even to massage it - can be irritating, so be careful with that.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

See I can't do cornrows or braids at all because my hair is far too fine for that. All the pulling and tugging. If the braids/rows are too tight, it may not be apparent that the hair is being pulled. Something as innocent as turning your head or using your hands to brush back the edges may be putting additional stress on them. I learned the hard way by wearing braided styles for years. My edges looked like the beauty, Susan Taylor, but they are slowing growing back in.

Remember, MissJ: jumping on LHCF bandwagons and trying out every product may not work. All we can do is tell you what worked for us. For me, the ORS Fertilizing Balm really did work. I also did what Cathy Howse recommended and threw away my brushes. I smooth my buns with my hands. I take down my buns every night. And I alternate protective styles. I started to get paranoid about wearing buns everyday, wondering whether or not I was doing damage to my crown. Therefore, one week I will wear a French Roll with the ends tucked in. The next week, I'll go back to my bun, but where it higher rather than lower. The next week, it's back to French, and so on...

I do hope that our comments/suggestions/moral support helps you out.

 

[Riverwalk]

It just makes me so mad that these braiders can be so irresponsible. IMO, braiding someone's edges so tight that the follicles come out is just as irresponsible as a stylist leaving a relaxer on too long.

Yes, this makes me mad too! Why is it such a big deal NOT TO BRAID YOUR HAIR TIGHT ?!?!?!?!?

Okay, I am going to go on a little rant here. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to live across the country (California, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, just to name a few). It seems like in almost every place I have lived, I have had the biggest problem telling the braiders not to braid it too tight. Some have been okay, but for the most part I have to basically remind them on every braid.

I am not trying to offend anyone here, but I have had the biggest problem with the African braiders. I mean they almost get in an attitude with me when I tell them that it is too tight. Also, they get upset when I tell them that I don't want my braids too small! Then when I tell them do not braid it small (I even have a picture example of what I want), they still do it small anyway. Now, I admit my hair is pretty thick and armpit length (and all natural), but is this any reason that my hair can't be braided in a box braid type style? I mean, I honestly want to know the answer to this, so if anyone can tell me, please let me know and I won't bother the braiders with this.

One braider also made the excuse to me that she had to braid my hair tight because it was too soft. Huh? Has anyone heard of this?

Sorry to steal your thunder MissJ, just had to go off a little here