Fed up with fighting those pesky split ends that make your hair look frizzy and damaged? You are not alone and I’m here to help with the best split ends hair treatment tips to help get your hair back to healthy & beautiful
Split ends can seem like an ongoing battle, no matter how much energy you dedicate to your hair. They leave it looking lifeless and frizzy, stealing the time and effort you put into growing it long and the time and energy you expend to keep it sleek looking. The good news? With a little know-how — and some key tips — you can repair damage and avoid new split ends.
The key is knowing your hairs’ porosity. This is what controls how well your hair takes in and holds moisture. Hair with high porosity does absorb moisture easily, but it also loses it easily, making it more susceptible to dryness and damage. Low porosity hair can be difficult to penetrate with moisture, which can lead to dry, brittle hair. Determining your hair porosity will also help you shop products to maintain hair health.
Below, I’m sharing the 7 very best tips for dealing with split ends and sealing them without having to cut your hair, according to the pros. You’ll get step-by-step advice on cutting, intense conditioning, using heat and even diet, which will help you keep your hair smooth, strong and split free.
Did You Know?
There are even smaller everyday things that can cause split ends: the sun can damage your cuticles, as can friction between your hair and a rough towel or pillow case, or even being exposed to pollution.
Understanding Split Ends: What They Are and Why They Happen
Before we find out what to do about it, here’s a closer look at what exactly and how to get rid of split ends are. You’re hair is surrounded by a protective coating known as the cuticle, a series of tiny scales that overlap one another, protecting the inner cortex. In the case of split ends, it occurs when this outer cuticle layer becomes damaged or is removed, splitting the ends of the hair strand into two or more strands.
This damage may result from a number of different factors. Common culprits include:
- Brushing and combing too roughly
- Too much heat styling from irons and blow-dryers
- O Chemical treatments such as bleaching, coloring and perms
- Sun, wind, dry air, and pollution create damaging free radicals and droop-but-nobody-droppin’-their-drawers beauty woes.
- Over- washing or using harsh deterging products that remove hair’s natural oils
Once a split begins, it can split further up the hair shaft, leading to more damage and breakage if it’s not dealt with. Thus, nipping the problem in its bud with good care and timely cuts is essential for gorgeous hair.
1. Trim Regularly but Smartly
Regularly trimming your hair might seem counterintuitive, especially when you’re trying to grow it out, but it’s actually one of the best ways to prevent split ends from migrating further up the shaft.
Trim whenever you think you need to, is my motto,” says Culala, acknowledging that experts generally recommend frequent trims every 6-8 weeks or so– the rule truly depends on how fast your hair grows, and how much damage you’re likely to accrue. If you’re concerned about loss of length, give your stylist a call now to ask about “dusting” — a term for snipping off just the very tips of hair without compromising length or shape.
And removing that dry, damaged length also means your hair is going to look fresher and shinier and healthier overall.
Pro Tip: Arrange for your trims Even if you don’t think your hair looks bad. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure regular trims can save you from needing a major chop down the road.
2. Nourish Your Hair Deeply with Protein and Moisture Treatments
The weakening, drying, and brittle hair strand is one of the most common causes of split ends. This is typically an indicator that your hair is lacking in both moisture and protein.
Protein treatments rebuild and strengthen hair’s internal structure, and moisturizing masks restore softness and elasticity. There are so many great hair masks out there that contain good ingredients, like keratin, silk amino acids, coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, etc.
Aim to deep condition or protein treat once a week or every other week based on your hair’s needs. For those of us with chemically treated or heat styled hair, our hair can never get enough protein treatments, for example.
Pro Tip: If you do protein treatments and your hair feels hard or crunchy, you are doing too much protein. Balance with moisturizing masks in between.
3. Avoid Excessive Heat Styling and Use Heat Protectants
We all know that heat styling is a gift in terms of its range of looks for hair, but extra heat can cause dryness of the hair and damage to the cuticle, not to mention direct straight lines to split ends.
Avoid using heat styling tools like flat irons, curling wands and blow dryers as much as possible. If you do use them, be sure to first use a heat protectant spray or serum. This forms a wall which protects against damage from high heat.
Also, place your tools on the lowest below effective setting usually under 350°F (175°C) and don’t go over the same section over and over.
Pro Tip: Try heat-free styles such as braids, rollers or twisting your wet hair overnight to achieve natural waves without the damage.
4. Choose Gentle Hair Care Practices
You may not be aware, but your hair can be damaged by common things you do every day. Wet hair is particularly susceptible to damage because it stretches and snaps more readily. Do not brush or comb hair when it’swet aggressivelydni. Instead, reach for a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush and work from the ends upward at a snail’s pace.
Also, avoid rough toweling. Rather than rubbing your hair dry with a towel, gently pat it or wrap your head in a soft microfiber towel or old cotton T-shirt, this minimizes friction and breakage big time and let it air-dry; this will cut down on heat-styling damage.
When pulling your hair back, avoid tight elastics; use fabric scrunchies or even one of those hair ties that don’t snag your strands.
Pro Tip: Sleep on a silk or satin case to minimize hair friction throughout the night, which can lead to split ends and frizz.
5. Protect Your Hair from Environmental Damage
Elements like UV rays, wind, pollution, as well as chlorinated water can thin your hair’s cuticle and swipe natural oils, upping your chances of getting split ends.
When you know that you’ll be spending the day outside, particularly when it’s very sunny, protect your hair with a hat, scarf or UV-protective hair products. If you’re going to be in the sun, protect your hair with a leave-in conditioner or a serum that has UV protection.
After less-gentle treatments like pool or ocean swimming, rinse gently, swim cap, and follow up with a moisturizing conditioner.
Pro Tip: The sand, sun and wind can be just as rough as in the summer time, avoid overexposure to sun and harsh weather no matter what season it is a UV damage to hair occurs year-round.
6. Use Split End Serums and Leave-In Conditioners
While no product can actually “repair” split ends, some serums and leave-in conditioners have the ability to temporarily smooth the hair cuticle and seal it to some extent to avert future breakage and to reduce the look of frizzy ends.
Choose serums that have silicon, argan oil, lanolin, or jojoba oil. Smooth a dab onto towel-dried or dry ends post-styling, then reapply before bed to keep ends moisturized and guarded. It is the best way for hair breakage repair.
Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it with the split end serum because if you add too much product, your hair can feel heavy or appear greasy.
7. Maintain a Healthy Diet and Hydration
Hair health begins from the inside out. Your diet has direct bearing on the strength, shine, and moisture of your hair – if you eat a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, your hair will follow suit.
Be sure that you are getting enough of:
- Biotin (Vitamin B7)
- Vitamin A, C, D, and E
- Iron and Zinc
- Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, flaxseeds, or walnuts
- Protein, which allows new hair to grow
Plus, keeping yourself well-hydrated by drinking enough water each day is known to be good for maintaining your hair’s moisture balance and resilient health.
Pro Tip: If you have a hard time getting all the nutrients you need from food, you might benefit from a hair-specific multivitamin or supplement checking with your healthcare provider first, of course.
Conclusion: How You Can Manage Split Ends
Treating split ends may feel like a never-ending saga but with patience and regular treatment using these 7 best split ends hair treatment tips, you will begin to see softer, stronger, and healthier-looking hair over time.
Don’t forget that prevention is equally as valuable as treatment. Frequent cuts, minimal manhandling and strategic product decisions all team up to help prevent these pesky splits. And small lifestyle modifications like shielding your hair from the outdoors and fueling your body the right way can go a long way.
Slow down, show your hair a little love! In no time at all, you’ll be stepping out with a smooth shine that shines smooth from roots to tips! And don’t forget if anything is confusing or you want to share your progress, I’m right here cheering you on.
FAQs
How to remove split ends without cutting hair?
Although cutting is the most suitable treatment, you can temporarily fix split ends with hair serums, masks, and leave-in conditioners formulated for damage repair.
Is it possible permanently to repair split ends?
No, split ends can’t be fixed once they appear. But with deep-conditioning treatments and a bit of heat-avoidance, you can work to keep them from getting worse.
How I should cut my hair to avoid getting split ends?
6.-8 weeks home trim helps to avoid split ends and makes your hair looks better, healthy and strong.
