Split ends 101: how to get rid of & prevent split ends
On the long list of hair care woes, one universal enemy ranks at the top of nearly everyone’s list: split ends. Caused by a number of factors—which we’ll get into more below—split ends are one of the first signs of hair damage and a precursor to more serious problems like hair breakage. Thankfully there are ways to get rid of split ends and steps you can take to help you prevent split ends in the future—and, lucky for you, we’re sharing all of these tips below!
What Causes Split Ends?
Before you can discover how to avoid split ends, it’s important to know what can cause split ends in the first place. One of the leading causes of split ends is dryness. When hair is dehydrated, it becomes more brittle and prone to splits. This dryness can be a result of a number of factors such as not using the right haircare products, over-washing your hair, or even over-using hot tools in your hair styling routine.
Blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling wands all utilize extremely high heat in order to manipulate your hair to fall a certain way. While these hair styling tools are amazing for achieving professional-quality hairstyles, they can take a serious toll on your hair overtime—especially if you aren’t protecting your hair strands before subjecting them to the heat!
Another factor that can cause split ends is not being gentle with wet hair. When your hair is wet, it is at its most vulnerable state—so it’s important to take care not to be aggressive when you’re drying it or detangling hair. Detangling your hair the wrong way is a quick way to turn split ends into breakage, so it’s imperative to follow the right steps when brushing your hair.
Finally, if you chemically treat your hair—be it straightening treatments, bleaching services to lighten, you name it—it can suck the moisture from your hair and cause it to split and break.
How to Get Rid of Split Ends
We recommend going to a hairdresser to trim your split ends away and give you fresh ends once more. You’ll want to avoid trimming your own hair to get rid of split ends since the professional scissors at the hair salon are much sharper and the ones at home can cause even more splits!
3 Ways to Prevent Split Ends
There are steps you can take to avoid getting split ends in the future.
1. Maintain & Trim Hair
If you don’t already, it’s time to make a standing appointment at the salon to get your hair trimmed—at least every 4-8 weeks depending on your hair.
2. Hydrate Hair Often
Since dryness can cause split ends you’ll want to make sure you keep your hair hydrated in-between those trims. Reach for a hydrating shampoo and conditioner system that’s formulated for your specific hair type and pencil weekly hair masks into your hair care routine for a deep conditioning treatment at home. Finally, invest in hair oils to replenish your hair with moisture.
3. Cut Down on Hair Styling Tools
If you want to keep split ends away, stop using heat styling as often as you are. Save the hot tools for special occasions and instead opt to air dry your hair instead. When you do use blow-dryers, flat irons, or curling wands, be sure to use a heat protectant in order to create a barrier between your hair and the heat. This can help prevent split ends and hair damage.
