Now, all textures can have baby hairs, no matter whether your hair is fine or thick, voluminous or flat. And figuring out how to style yours might take a few pointers—as well as hair care tips to make sure the delicate strands stay as strong as possible. These feathery hairs are quite short, too, as a result of a shorter hair growth cycle; when the growing cycle (the anagen phase) shortens over time, new hairs may sprout, but they never seem to grow as long as the rest of our strands. And thus, baby hairs (also commonly known as edges) are born. Curious about whether your hairs are baby and growing versus breaking and damaged? Check the texture of those shorter strands. Baby hairs are soft, thin, and wispy; breakage, decidedly less so: “Hair breakage around the edges tends to be random lengths due to damage, has thicker strands, and is less fine,” says hairstylist Miko Branch, co-founder of natural hair care brand Miss Jessie’s. That’s not to say your fine baby hairs are damage-proof. Your edges can experience breakage as well, Branch notes, especially if you routinely blast them with hot tools. “Always apply a gentle touch,” she advises, and never tweeze, wax, thread, or shave those baby hairs—they can be annoying and unruly at times, but learn to properly care for them, and they’ll become an asset to any face-framing look. “For the 3’s and the 4’s that have a kinkier, curlier texture, it’s better to start with hair that is wet or damp.” (Remember, apply product when curls are sopping wet can keep the hair from frizzing.) That said, here’s a three-step method to master the style: That’s not to say you have to lay those feathery hairs down. If you wish to sleek your baby hairs back into your hairline or let them simply live, sans edge control? That’s fine, too: Beauty is a personal experience that’s entirely yours. As for your baby hairs, treating them with (gentle) care is more than enough maintenance, if you wish.
