Can I use edge control gel on my hairline if I have locs?

Most edge control gels contain alcohol and polymers that dry out the delicate skin and hair at your hairline over time. If you want to smooth flyaways for a special occasion, fine, but daily use of heavy gels or wax on the hairline tends to cause buildup and dryness that works against edge health. A lightweight cream or oil is a better everyday choice.

How tight is too tight when getting my locs re-twisted?

If you feel tension or discomfort at your hairline during or after a re-twist, that is your signal that it is too tight. Tenderness or small bumps along the hairline, called folliculitis, are also signs of excess tension. You should be able to move your eyebrows freely and have no pulling sensation a few hours after leaving the salon.

My edges are thinning mostly at the temples. Is that normal with locs?

The temples are the most common site of traction-related thinning because the follicles there are finer and the skin is thinner. Loc styles that gather hair away from the face pull disproportionately on that area. Leaving the temples out of your styling when possible and massaging that area specifically can help, but if the thinning is pronounced, a dermatologist visit is a smart move.

Does peppermint oil actually help edges grow back?

Peppermint oil contains menthol, which may increase local blood circulation when applied to the scalp. A 2014 study published in Toxicological Research found that peppermint oil applied to mice showed increased follicle depth and dermal thickness compared to controls. Human studies are limited, so it is not a guaranteed regrowth treatment, but improved circulation to the follicle is a reasonable supporting step when combined with reduced tension and good scalp hygiene.

How often should I wash my scalp if I have locs?

Most loc'd women do well with a scalp wash every two to four weeks, depending on how much product they use and how active they are. At the hairline specifically, light rinsing with water between full wash days can help remove sweat and product residue without disrupting your locs.

Is it too late to save my edges if they have been thinning for years?

It depends on whether the follicles are still alive. If you can see fine, short baby hairs or feel slight texture where the edges were, there is likely still follicular activity and a consistent routine may help. If the skin at the hairline looks completely smooth and shiny with no texture at all, that can indicate permanent scarring, and a dermatologist should assess it. The earlier you start caring for your edges, the better your options.

What Most Loc'd Women Get Wrong About Edge Care

June 18, 2026

By the Edge Naturale Editorial Team · Medically reviewed by Shelia Davis, Edge Naturale Medical Team · Last updated June 2026

Quick answer: Loc'd hair puts constant tension on the hairline, and most women either over-manipulate their edges trying to fix them or ignore them completely. A consistent, low-tension routine focused on scalp circulation, moisture, and protective styling can support healthier edges over time without interfering with your locs.

Why Do Edges Thin So Much With Locs?

Locs are heavier than loose hair. That weight pulls on the follicles at your hairline every single day, and the hairline follicles are already the most delicate ones on your head. The American Academy of Dermatology recognizes traction alopecia as one of the leading causes of hairline loss in Black women, and loc weight combined with tight installations is a well-documented contributor.

Here is the part most people miss: the damage is cumulative. Your edges do not thin overnight. They thin over months of repeated tension, dryness, and neglect. By the time you notice the thinning, the follicle has already been stressed for a while. That is why waiting until you see a problem is the wrong move.

The Biggest Mistakes Loc'd Women Make With Their Edges

Pulling edges into the loc style. Many stylists slick the hairline back tightly to make locs look neat. Over time, this constant pull is exactly what causes traction alopecia.
Skipping edge care because locs seem low maintenance. Locs are low manipulation for the length, but your scalp and edges still need regular attention.
Using heavy waxes or gels on the hairline. Product buildup clogs follicles and dries out the delicate skin at your hairline.
Re-twisting too frequently or too tightly. Every re-twist session is a tension event for your hairline. Frequency and force matter.
Moisturizing only the locs, not the scalp. Your locs can look healthy while your scalp and hairline are completely parched underneath.

What Does a Real Edge Care Routine for Locs Look Like?

This is where the week-by-week format matters. Edge recovery is not a one-product fix. It is a repeating cycle of cleansing, hydrating, stimulating, and protecting. Here is how to build it.

Week 1: Assess and Reset

Start by honestly looking at your hairline. Is there baby hair still coming in? Are the edges sparse in specific spots, usually the temples? Is your scalp flaky or tight-feeling? Take a photo. You will want a reference point in four to six weeks.

This week, focus on one thing: reducing tension. Ask your stylist to leave your hairline completely unslicked during your next re-twist. If you pull your locs into a bun or ponytail daily, wear them down or in a loose, low style for at least five of seven days.

Week 2: Clean the Slate

Clarify your scalp. Product buildup, especially from gel and wax, sits on the scalp and can block follicles over time. Use a diluted sulfate-free clarifying shampoo and focus the massage on your hairline. Rinse thoroughly.

After washing, while your scalp is still slightly damp, apply a lightweight oil directly to the hairline. Jojoba oil is a good choice because its structure is close to your scalp's natural sebum, so it absorbs without sitting heavy. Argan oil brings antioxidant support. Keep the amount small, a few drops is enough.

Week 3: Add the Stimulation Step

This is where most routines stop being passive and start being active. Scalp massage increases blood flow to the follicles, and that circulation matters. A 2016 study published in ePlasty found that standardized scalp massage over 24 weeks was associated with increased hair thickness in participants. The mechanism is mechanical stretching of the dermal papilla cells, which sit at the base of your follicles and regulate growth.

For loc'd hair, you want to massage the hairline gently every two to three days. Use your fingertips, not your nails. A cream or oil with peppermint can add a light tingling sensation that many women find signals good circulation. The Follicle Enhancer combines peppermint with argan, jojoba, and coconut in a cream formula that is light enough for the hairline without leaving heavy residue on your locs.

Week 4: Protect While You Sleep

Friction is quiet damage. Cotton pillowcases pull moisture from your hairline all night. A satin or silk bonnet, or a satin-lined bonnet specifically designed for locs, is non-negotiable. If you find bonnets fall off, a satin pillowcase is your backup.

Also re-examine how you are tying your locs up at night. A loose scrunchie at the nape instead of a tight band at the crown protects your hairline from overnight tension.

Ongoing: The Repeating Weekly Rhythm

Frequency	Task
Every night	Satin bonnet or pillowcase, loose or no tie
Every 2 to 3 days	Scalp massage with a lightweight oil or cream at the hairline
Once a week	Light moisturizing mist to the hairline and scalp
Every 2 to 4 weeks	Clarifying wash focused on scalp
Every re-twist	Ask stylist to leave hairline unmanipulated or minimally manipulated

How Long Before You See a Difference?

Honest answer: the hair growth cycle takes time. A single follicle goes through anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (rest) phases over months. Most women notice early signs of improvement, like reduced shedding at the hairline and less scalp tightness, within four to eight weeks of consistent care. Visible hair growth at the hairline generally takes three to six months.

If you have been dealing with significant thinning for a year or more, a board-certified dermatologist can assess whether the follicle is still active and recommend appropriate next steps.

Should You Ever Take Your Locs Down to Help Your Edges?

Sometimes, yes. If your hairline is significantly receded and your locs are long and heavy, giving your hairline a full break from that weight for several months may be the most effective thing you can do. This is a personal decision and not one anyone should pressure you into, but it is worth considering if nothing else is helping after six consistent months of care.

If you love your locs and are not ready to let them go, keeping them in a low, loose style as often as possible is the next best move.

This article is for education and is not medical advice. If you are worried about hair loss, see a board-certified dermatologist. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Edge Naturale products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.