Split Ends: Treatment and Advice
Hair ends are especially at risk of showing the results of over-processing and exposure to harsh conditions. As a result, they need more care than the rest of the hair. Split end treatments are designed to repair damaged hair ends quickly and effectively. Find out how to prevent split ends, what different treatments can do for your hair and how to make good use of all their benefits.
What are split ends?
Split ends are the result of the outer layer of the hair cuticle breaking away from the main shaft, and leaving it prone to splitting. The typically “forked” shape that you associate with split ends is the result: the length of the split is simply an indication of how long the hair has been left in that state.
Several conditions may be responsible for split ends:
- Dry hair
- Aggressive shampoos
- Blow drying the hair at hot temperatures
- Too much stress due to chemical treatments
- Wind, cold weather, UV rays and heat all damage our hair too
The hair ends are more vulnerable because they are the oldest part of the hair, which has endured stressors for the longest time (shoulder-long hair is about three years old!). Over-processing and inclement conditions often result in split ends, which are also brittle and dry. Split end treatments quickly restore the health of hair ends and can help fix the problem.
Different methods for how to get rid of split ends
Coating split ends
Special treatments to fix split ends contain silicon oil, which covers the frayed ends with a filmy coating. As a result, hair looks healthier and not quite so frizzy. It's worth noting that these intense split end treatments should not be used after every shampoo, but rather every three shampoos or so. The silicon coating can survive the harsh agents in shampoos and adding more layers of silicon may weigh your hair down or gum it up. For this reason, you should also only work with one or two drops of the treatment.
Trim your hair regularly
If you're finding it hard to fix split ends despite the use of repair products, then a visit to the hair salon is required. Ultimately, this is the only way to remove the dead and damaged hair for good. Trimming the ends of the hair by about half an inch is usually enough, but entirely depends upon how long you have left it. Your hair will still grow if you trim your hair this way only every eight to ten weeks because hair grows about half an inch every month.
Use the right tools to avoid split ends
You definitely need high-quality tools if you have to deal with split ends on a regular basis. Do not even consider using cheap combs with burrs or brushes with metal bristles. Instead, it's better to use brushes with natural (boar) bristles and combs made of real horn or wood. Also, steer clear from teasing combs or teasing brushes, which are especially rough on your hair.
What hair types benefit from split end treatments?
The ways to repair split ends listed above are effective for all hair types. Keep in mind, however, that the ends of long hairstyles are especially vulnerable, and as a result need regular treatment applications. This applies in particular to dry and brittle hair. There are particular care products and hair masks available for both normal and damaged or over-processed hair to get rid of split ends.
No matter whether you have a straight or curly hairstyle, these treatments are designed to infuse your hair with health and shine. Still, even with the best of care, the hair ends need to be cut from time to time. This is essential to prevent split ends.
How do split end treatments work?
Most oils and treatments repair split ends by sealing closed the layers of the hair shaft. Special ingredients penetrate into the hair’s keratin layer where they fill in fissures, repair, and condition the hair. Thanks to this split end repair work and the nourishing oils, these treatments can also have an anti-frizz effect.
