I Lost My Edges Twice and Finally Learned the Difference

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

Part of our guide: Traction Alopecia: The Complete Guide to Regrowing Your Edges

Quick answer: Postpartum hair loss is a temporary hormone-driven shed that usually resolves on its own within a year. Traction alopecia is physical damage to the follicle from repeated tension and gets worse the longer you ignore it. Knowing which one you have changes everything about how you care for your hair.

Why I Kept Treating the Wrong Problem

After my first pregnancy I lost a shocking amount of hair around my temples. I panicked, bought everything on the shelf, and wrapped my edges in a scarf so tight I probably made things worse. After my second pregnancy I did the same thing, except I also had fresh braids installed at six weeks postpartum because I was tired and needed a break. My edges thinned even more, and this time they did not come back as fast.

A dermatologist finally sat me down and explained what was actually happening. Two different problems. Two different timelines. Two very different fixes. I wish someone had told me earlier, so here it is.

What Is Postpartum Hair Loss, Really?

During pregnancy, high estrogen levels keep more hairs than usual in the growth phase (anagen). You shed less, so your hair feels thicker. Then after delivery, estrogen drops fast. All those hairs that were on hold enter the resting phase (telogen) at the same time, and roughly two to four months later they fall out together. Dermatologists call this telogen effluvium.

The American Academy of Dermatology confirms this is one of the most common forms of hair shedding and that it typically peaks around three to four months postpartum. The shedding can look alarming, especially at the temples and hairline, but the follicles are alive. They are just catching up.

Key things to know about postpartum loss:

• It is diffuse, meaning it happens across the scalp, not just one spot
• The hairline is often hit hardest because those hairs are finer and more sensitive
• Most women see noticeable recovery between six and twelve months after delivery
• Stress, low iron, and low thyroid function can extend the shed, so get bloodwork if yours drags past a year

What Is Traction Alopecia?

Traction alopecia is damage caused by repeated or sustained pulling on the hair follicle. Tight braids, high ponytails, heavy extensions, weaves sewn on tightly, wig bands that sit in the same spot every day, lace glue, thread wrapping around baby hairs, all of it adds up. Over time, the constant tension inflames and then scars the follicle.

The American Academy of Dermatology recognizes traction alopecia as one of the leading causes of hair loss in Black women specifically, tied directly to common protective and styling practices. Early-stage traction alopecia is reversible. Late-stage, with follicle scarring, is not. That gap is why catching it early matters so much.

Key things to know about traction alopecia:

• It follows a pattern, usually the hairline and temples first, sometimes the nape
• You may see small pimple-like bumps along the hairline before the hair actually falls out
• The skin around the edges can look slightly shiny in advanced cases, a sign of scarring
• It does not resolve on its own. You have to remove the source of tension

How Do You Tell Them Apart?

The overlap is real. Both can thin your edges at the same time, especially if you installed protective styles right after having a baby. Here is a side-by-side look at the differences that matter most.

What Should You Actually Do for Each One?

If You Think It's Postpartum Shedding

First, breathe. The follicle is not damaged. Your job right now is to protect what is there while your hormones stabilize.

1. Eat enough protein and check your iron levels. Telogen effluvium gets longer when you are depleted, and new moms often are.
2. Keep styles loose. This is not the time for tight braids or slicked ponytails. Your edges are vulnerable right now.
3. Be gentle at the hairline. No hard-bristle brushes, no tight scarves, no overnight styles that pull.
4. Give your scalp some attention. Light scalp massage a few times a week can support circulation to the follicle.
5. If shedding is severe or lasts past twelve months, see a dermatologist. Thyroid issues and iron-deficiency anemia can mimic or extend postpartum loss.

If You Think It's Traction Alopecia

Stop the tension first. Nothing else works if you keep the source of damage going.

1. Take a break from tight styles. Four to eight weeks minimum with your hair loose or in very low-manipulation styles.
2. Check for bumps or tenderness along your hairline. If the skin is inflamed, your scalp needs anti-inflammatory care before anything else.
3. Massage the edges daily to get blood moving back to follicles that have been under pressure. This is where a product like the Follicle Enhancer fits in. The peppermint in the formula creates a warming sensation that may help increase local circulation, while jojoba and argan oil condition the scalp without clogging follicles. It is not a treatment, but many women find consistent daily massage with a good scalp cream helps them stay committed to the routine.
4. If your hairline looks shiny, feels numb, or shows no fuzz after several months of care, see a board-certified dermatologist. Scarring alopecia needs professional evaluation and sometimes prescription intervention.

Can You Have Both at the Same Time?

Yes, and honestly that is what happened to me. Postpartum telogen effluvium weakens the hair shaft and makes follicles more sensitive. Installing braids during that window puts stress on follicles that are already struggling. The result is thinning that looks worse than either condition alone and takes longer to recover from.

If you had a baby in the last year and you also wear tight styles regularly, treat both: remove the tension, nourish your scalp, get your bloodwork checked, and be patient. Your hair is not a lost cause. It just needs you to stop stacking damage on top of damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

See the FAQ section below.

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.