Say Goodbye to Breakage: 5 Edge Control & Length Retention Hacks
5 Tips for Natural Hair Length Retention and Edge Protection
Growing natural hair is a beautiful journey, but it’s not always easy. While you may have perfected your curl care routine, keeping your edges healthy and promoting length retention can still feel like a challenge. Don’t give in to the frustration—healthy, longer hair is possible with the right practices.
Here are five tried-and-true tips for achieving natural hair growth while protecting your delicate edges:
1. Hydrate and Moisturize Religiously
Growing natural hair starts with developing a curl-friendly moisturizing routine. Moisture is the foundation of healthy hair growth. Avoid sulfates, silicones, and parabens that strip moisture and lead to breakage. Instead, choose nourishing shampoos and conditioners with natural ingredients like castor oil and keratin.
Add an extra boost to your routine with nightly oil treatments on your ends. Castor oil or argan oil can help reduce breakage while locking in moisture. And remember: a silk pillowcase or bonnet is non-negotiable for retaining hydration while you sleep!
2. Seal Your Ends
High-porosity hair absorbs moisture fast—and loses it just as quickly. Sealing your ends with hair butter is the key to locking in hydration and preventing split ends. Shea butter, coconut butter, and jojoba butter are all excellent options.
Pro Tip: Avoid going to bed with wet hair! Damp strands are more prone to damage, especially without protection.
3. Feed Your Hair from the Inside
Healthy hair starts with what you put into your body. Whole foods rich in omega-3s, vitamins, and antioxidants can make a big difference. Supplements like fish oil, biotin, and ginseng can also promote hair growth and thickness.
Want a fun DIY treatment? Try an onion juice mask for edge growth. It may sound wild, but onion juice stimulates circulation and encourages growth. Just mix it with a little rosemary oil to mask the smell.
4. Embrace Protective Styles
Protective styles like braids, twists, and buns reduce manipulation, giving your hair the chance to grow. While protective styles don’t make your hair grow faster, they help preserve length by preventing breakage.
Just don’t leave them in too long—follow your stylist’s recommendation to avoid tension or buildup that can damage your edges.
5. Lower the Heat
Heat is one of the biggest culprits behind breakage and thinning edges. Direct heat from traditional blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands can cause irreversible damage over time. Instead, opt for a low-heat alternative like RevAir, which dries and smooths your hair 3x faster than conventional dryers—without frying your curls.
Sun Protection Tip: UV rays can weaken your hair, too. When outdoors, wear a hat, wrap your hair, or use a UV protectant spray to keep your strands safe.
Looking for the best sunscreen for curly hair? Sun Bum's natural hair and scalp mist is a favorite!
Healthy Hair Awaits!
Maintaining length and protecting your edges is all about consistency. With a solid routine and the right tools, you’ll be well on your way to the hair you’ve always wanted. For more tips on growing and styling natural hair, check out our guide on The Beginner’s Guide to Moisturizing Natural Hair or explore how RevAir can transform your hair care routine.
