Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Gaga
What are Split Ends?
Split ends occur when a hair splits into two parts. The tips are the part of the hair that is most prone to the appearance of split ends, however, the hair can split anywhere and one hair strand can split at multiple points.
The presence of split ends in the hair is inevitable and normal, but too many split ends can make hair look unhealthy, frizzy, and dull. Hair with split ends is also prone to tangles and breakage, making it hard to achieve your desired length.
What Causes Split Ends?
Split ends are a sign that your hair is weak and brittle. The most common causes of this condition are:
- Excessive heat: Frequent use of hot styling tools such as hair straighteners, curlers, and blow dryers can leave hair dry and damaged. The chance for damage is higher if you use these tools frequently and set them at high temperatures. The damage is also more likely and severe if you don’t use heat protection or use low-quality appliances.
- Physical manipulation: Harsh rubbing with a towel when towel-drying hair can create tangles and disrupt the cuticles, increasing the possibility of splitting. Rough combing, while the hair is wet and without using a detangler, can make locks vulnerable and prone to splitting and breakage. Vigorous brushing of dry hair can lift the cuticles and result in the appearance of frizz and split ends.
- Chemical treatments: Bleaching and frequent coloring dry out hair and disrupt the cuticles, leaving hair weakened and less resistant to damage due to physical manipulation. Chemical treatments such as hair straightening, and permanent waving harm hair health and elasticity. Since the ends of your locks have been exposed to chemicals longer than other parts, they are the most vulnerable part of your hair.
- Over shampooing: Washing your hair too often, especially if you use strong sulfate-based shampoos can strip your hair of its natural oils. Natural oils create a protective barrier that helps retain moisture inside the hair. Dry and overly porous hair loses its moisture easily and becomes inelastic and is prone to breakage and split ends.
How to Prevent Hair Splitting
- Avoid washing your hair daily and use only sulfate-free shampoos.
- Give your hair a break from heat styling. When you do use hot styling tools, set the temperature on low settings, and make sure to use a heat protectant.
- Buy quality appliances and use the necessary attachments when blow-drying your hair.
- Stay away from harsh chemical treatments and use gentle alternatives when possible.
- Don’t over-use bleach and let a hair professional lighten your hair. Use semi-permanent dyes for experimenting with colors.
- Apply a deep conditioner once a week and use a leave-in conditioner to moisturize your thirsty ends.
- Do pre-shampoo treatments to prevent the drying effect of hair shampooing.
- Go to the salon every 8 – 12 weeks to get your ends trimmed.
- Be gentle when towel-drying, combing and brushing your hair.
- Use bond-building hair products to repair damage due to heat styling and coloring.
Regular Trimming
Trimming off half an inch of your hair every eight to ten weeks is the best way to get rid of split ends. Your hair will still grow because the average hair growth rate is 1 to 1.5 cm per month.
After careful trimming, you need to use the right products to prevent split ends from occurring. You also must avoid hair care routines that lead to the appearance of split ends.
Split End Menders
Although split ends cannot be permanently repaired, some hair products such as hair serums, smoothing balms, and leave-in conditioners can be used to “glue” split ends together and fix them temporarily. This makes split ends less noticeable and prevents them from progressing.
Split end menders: Brazilian Blowout Split End Professional Repairing Solution Treatment, ORIBE Split End Seal Beautiful Color Treatment, Marrakesh Endz Lotion, Fanola Nutri Care Restructuring Fluid Crystals, and Redken Unisex Extreme Length Sealer Treatment.
Gaga is a blogger and founder of the Softer Hair website. She often says that insomnia is to blame for her first blogging attempts. Being the night owl, she hated the morning alarm. She left her office job and returned to what she loved most - writing.