How to Get Rid of Split Ends on Your Hair
Know what causes split ends and learn how to treat them to prevent further hair damage.
Are the tips of your hair dry, brittle, and frayed? Give them more TLC because they might break and result in split ends, a sign of hair damage. And when left untreated, they can go up to your hair shaft, damaging your hair even more.
What causes split ends on your hair? Your daily styling routine plays a huge role. For one, brushing can damage your hair, as friction between your strands and the hairbrush causes tears on your hair cuticle. These tears eventually make your strands brittle and prone to breakage.
Another culprit is using heat-styling tools like curling irons and hair dryers often. They make your hair extremely dry. So do coloring, bleaching, and chemical treatments like rebonding and perms. All these take a toll on your hair, causing roughness, split ends, and other signs of damage.
But all hope is not lost when you see frayed tips. You can treat and prevent split ends by tweaking your hair care and hairstyling routine. It would also help you to know the different types of split ends, so you know one when you see one. This way, you can start treating these signs of hair damage right away.
6 Types of Split Ends
1. Classic Split Ends
The tips of your hair split in half and form a fishtail shape. These are the most common type of split ends.
2. Incomplete Split Ends
When your hair strand weakens but the tips don’t fully separate, you get an incomplete split end. It looks like the eye of a needle.
3. Tree
Your hair strand has split not just at the tips but also at the sides. Because your strand frays at different spots, it resembles a tree branch.
4. Feathered Split Ends
Like the tree split, this type shows several small breaks on the hair strand, resembling a feather.
6. Single Strand Knots
This type is common among curly and wavy hair types. When the hair coils back, it creates a tangle on the hair strand. This tangle will eventually make the strand break at that spot when you brush or style your hair.
Easy Tips to Treat and Prevent Split Ends
1. Get regular trims.
Long hair is more prone to damage because as your hair grows, the tips tend to get dry and rough. Long hair has also undergone more brushing, washing, and styling. All of these contribute to damage and split ends. So, even if you want to keep your hair long, get a trim every four to six weeks to remove dry and frayed tips.
2. Wash with care.
Think of your hair as silk—soft, smooth, and delicate. So, refrain from aggressively pulling and rubbing it to avoid split ends and breakage. Instead, gently massage your scalp as you shampoo. Then, run your fingers through your hair to cleanse it from the roots to the tips.
Editor’s tip: Use Dove Keratin Repair 1 Minute Serum Conditioner to revive damaged hair. It has keratin-infused serum capsules that go deep into your hair strands to repair them from the inside. It leaves your hair recovered, resilient, and beautiful in just one minute!
3. Shower with cold water!
Swap scalding hot showers for lukewarm or cold water to prevent hair cuticles from swelling and becoming more prone to split ends. Cold water rinses help close the cuticle, sealing the hair’s outer layer for added protection. So go on, if you’re looking for ways on how to prevent split ends, embrace cooler showers for healthier, split-end-free tresses!
4. Ditch rough towels and bid split ends goodbye.
After washing your hair, pat it dry using a microfiber towel or a smooth fabric to avoid too much friction that can cause split ends.
5. Air dry before you blow-dry.
Your hair is more vulnerable when it’s wet, so leave it to air-dry a little before blow-drying. This way, you limit your hair’s exposure to the heat of your blow-dryer, minimizing split ends and other types of damage.
6. Turn down the heat.
Speaking of heat, we all adore those perfect curls and sleek straight locks, but too much heat exposure can wreak havoc on your hair and be the main reason for split ends. Embrace your natural texture, and when you do use heat tools, always use a heat protectant like the VO5 Heat Protect Spray to keep your strands safe.
7. To prevent split ends, brush your hair the right way.
Always brush the ends of your hair first to detangle them. Then, move up and start from the mid-lengths of your hair. When you’ve smoothed out the knots, that’s the time you can brush from the roots.
Also, remember that your hair is more vulnerable when it’s wet. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle hair after washing it. Never brush your hair when it’s wet to avoid split ends and breakage.
8. Pamper your hair.
Keep your hair at its best with hair treatments. You can get one either at your trusted salon or in the comfort of your own home. With proper care and nourishment, your hair strands can recover from the stress of styling and other damaging factors.
Editor’s tip: Protect your hair even before damage starts with Dove Advanced Keratin Treatment Mask. It is boosted with Kera-Shield Complex, which consists of a potent shot of Keratin Repair Actives and a nourishing layer of vitamins and niacinamide. These ingredients keep your hair from split ends and all kinds of damage. Make this hair mask a part of your weekly pampering ritual, and your hair will thank you.
You can also complement your daily hair care routine with Vitakeratin Expert Salon Treatment Deep Repair. It has salon-quality keratin to help keep your hair smooth. It is also infused with vitamin E to nourish your hair and help it get restored. This hair treatment product is also blended with argan oil to help repair damage.
9. Silk is your new bestie.
Silk pillowcases are like the VIP treatment for your lovely locks. Their super smooth surface allows your hair to glide effortlessly as you toss and turn during the night, reducing friction and minimizing the chance of split ends and breakage. Silk is also less absorbent than other materials, which means it won’t be stealing away all those precious hair products and natural oils that keep your tresses looking luscious. Sweet dreams and even sweeter hair await!
10. Don’t pick on your split ends.
How to get rid of split ends the fastest way? Yes, we know it can be tempting, but resist the urge to pick at your split ends, as it can lead to even more damage and breakage. Instead, focus on maintaining a healthy hair care routine to prevent future splits. Remember, a quick trim is your best bet for banishing those pesky split ends hair for good!
The sight of split ends on your hair may cause panic, but don’t worry. Split ends signal that your hair needs more TLC. Elevate your hair care routine to include damage repair and protection to nurse your hair back to its healthy-looking state.
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