For a Black woman, laying your edges is like putting icing on a cake – the finishing touch to your ‘do and a way to show off your style. But those who experience hair loss around the edges due to alopecia or protective styles like braids and wigs, are trying new ways to bring life back to the area, using a treatment drug that was originally marketed to men.
Originally developed as a drug to treat high blood pressure, minoxidil (aka Rogaine) was approved by the FDA in 1988 as a hair loss treatment. The drug stimulates hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp and sending more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the hair follicles.
Some Black women have fully embraced minoxidil as a reliable way to regrow hair around the edges they’ve lost to braided styles and wig glue. We’ve rounded up some before and after pictures of those who’ve shared their amazing hairline transformations online.
What to Know Before You Start
Before starting your minoxidil regimen, skin surgeon Dr. Neera has a few tips for users. She suggests the five percent version will give the best results when used daily. Users will experience some shedding in the beginning of the process (aka “dread shed”), but Dr. Neera says not to worry, it’s just your body’s sign that the medication is working.
Be Patient With the Process
Dr. Daniel Sugai adds that users should have patience with the process and stay with their Rogaine regimen for at least six to nine months before giving up. He also says users should avoid the product during pregnancy.
Before
Content creator Nomie opened up on TikTok about her struggles with losing her hairline due to protective styles.
After
After four months of minoxidil use, she showed off her new, new growth. “I grew my hairline back and im really careful with how i maintain it now,” she captioned her video.
Before
Nearly 17 million people have been following TikTok user @lacemebaby’s journey to grow her edges back with minoxidil online for months.
After
With the exception of a dry, flaky scalp, she was happy to report that the results were more than worth it. “This journey taught me how important it is to document every step, have patience and give yourself grace. If you’re going through this too, sis, I feel you,” she captioned her post.
Before
TikTok creator Evolved by Ju always looks fabulous online, but she has struggled with hair loss around her edges.
After
She is happy to report that her results after using minoxidil have been amazing. And, of course, her makeup is stunning!
Before
User @rapidreinventhair says she’s struggled with thinning hair since she was young and has done hours of research on products to help her with growth that have not delivered as promised.
After
After trying minoxidil, she is happy to report that her hairline is making a comeback. “Amazing transformation!” she captioned her post.
Before
TikTok content creator @bigheadjustice says people have commented on her “receding hairline,” on the app.
After
She’s chronicled her hair growth journey with minoxidil online, sharing her beautiful results with her haters.
“How i grew back my edges and thickened my hairline!” she captioned her post.
Before
TikTok user Nolothandu Tembe was frustrated with hair loss around her edges after wearing braided styles.
After
After giving minoxidil a try, she was pleasantly surprised to see her edges coming back like they never left. “Never in my wildest dreams did i ever think I’d have such a hairline!” she captioned her post. She added that her new hair growth has helped give her the confidence to wear her hair naturally.
Before
TikToker Tranzitions Wellness shared a picture of her receding hairline before she started her regrowth regimen.
After
Here, she shares her amazing results after three months of minoxidil use.
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