I ever tell you how much I enjoy the emails you guys send me? You tell me about your recent purchases, ask me fashion and beauty questions, tell me how much you love the site…it’s like we’re BFFs! I LOVE it. But sometimes you guys stump me with your hair questions and then I feel inadequate when I can’t answer them…lol. I know some hair care basics but I’m definitely not an expert though I know a ton of great hairstylists. Then it clicked—I can have my wonderful hairstylist pals lend their expertise to answer some of your hair questions.

It’s totally genius if I may say so myself: you contact me giving me as much info about your inquiry as possible, I’ll select some of the more pressing issues and pass them along to the experts (don’t worry, I won’t ignore your question even if it takes me a few days to get back to you), and then the answers will be posted right here on The Style and Beauty Doctor. Cool, right?

For our inaugural “Ask a Hairstylist” question, I tapped celebrity hairstylist Gabrielle Corney who has colored, cut, styled, and charmed the tresses of celebs like “Love and Hip Hop”‘s Olivia, Lisa Price of Carol’s Daughter, Vashtie Kola, and more. Plus she most recently did Evelyn Lozada‘s hair for her bridal spread in Life & Style magazine. I know firsthand what Gabrielle can do with her magic hands as I’ve been going to her for the last two years for weaves at Styles New York Salon in Manhattan. Not only can she lay some hair but she’s also studying trichology to further her quest to making sure all her clients have healthy hair. She also happens to be the sweetest thing since red velvet pancakes.

So The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Krystina wrote in asking, “Hi Danielle, First off love your blog!!! I read it daily, and need your advice. I’ve been wearing lacefronts for 2 years in order to give my hair a well needed rest from the heat, relaxers and stress I’ve subjected it to over the years, and it grew a ton. But now I’ve realized my edges have really been damaged by the lacefront glue and tape. I’m determined to wear my natural hair and nurse it back to health, so do you have any recommendations on products or regimes I can use to grow back my edges? Thanks so much.”

Hey Krystina!

SO happy you love the blog—it always brightens my day to get feedback like that :) I’m

In answer to your question…

Gabrielle says…

Edges suffer stress from glues, tape, chemicals, and poor heat distribution. Readjusting from lace fronts to a natural hair regimen requires a professional. Start by finding a stylist that promotes healthy hair and a healthy scalp (if you don’t have one already) and BALANCE! Your diet, proper water intake, vitamins, and managing your stress level will all promote hair growth. Essential oils are great hair growth tools. Vitamin E is my favorite. It keeps the hair moisturized while nourishing and as it helps to rebuild.

Yep—having a great stylist is key to achieving your hair goals, Krystina. Good luck and definitely keep us posted on your progress!