How do you get split ends? We go to the root of this distressing issue.
Have you ever wondered what causes split ends? You’d be surprised to know how easy it is for your hair to splay out into two (or, gulp, more) parts at the tips, resembling a small twig or a broken fishbone.
What are split ends? Split ends are the frayed tips of hair that have, yes, split into two or more parts due to dryness or damage. They seem to come out of nowhere; but really, the truth is to get to this level of damage, things have probably been building up for months due to any number of factors.
This kind of damage can happen on any hair type. It’s easy to get rid of split ends by cutting them off, but it’s also important to know what caused them in the first place. Read on to discover how to prevent split ends, how they form in the first place and get inspired to learn what you can do about them in the interim:
What Causes Split Ends? Getting to the Bottom of Damaged Tips
1. Using rubber bands for your ponytails
How do you get split ends from a hair elastic? Have you ever noticed just how many strands can get yanked out with a rubber band when you undo a ponytail? If you’re not using proper hair ties, headbands, or hair accessories, you’re most likely doing more harm than good to your strands. Rubber bands, in particular, can damage your hair due to the friction the material places onto a hair strand. This can be one of the causes of gnarly split ends. Consider using a padded or fabric-covered hair tie, or better yet, a spiral telephone cord ties or a scrunchie to prevent breakage.
2. Heat-styling
We love our precious blow-dryers and flat irons, but those heat stylers can be culprits for damage and breakage. How to prevent split ends with the use of heat styling tools and mechanical stylers? With a proper hair care routine and the use of a thermal protectant, that’s how.
3. Chemical and color treatments
While you may have gotten that perfect color, that straight hairdo, and/or curly style you’ve been craving, it can come with a cost. These treatments generally use a lot of chemicals that can deplete and strip your hair of its natural moisture, leaving it dry and prone to splitting. Chemical processes damage hair from the inside out and make the cuticle weaker, making it severely split end-prone. Consider using a wash and care system that nourishes hair with every use, while also prolonging and extending the vibrancy of your new color.
4. Overwashing
While it’s important to keep our locks clean and scalps healthy, excessively washing hair can cause it to lose its natural oils. This results in dryer, rougher ends. As a general rule, shampoo and conditioners should be used as a system, which makes hair less prone to breakage and split ends.
5. Over manipulation
Just like shampooing, combing, and brushing our hair is essential, but overdoing it can certainly lead to some breakage. Ease up on the overbrushing! If you feel that your hair needs something to help with the detangling process, use a leave-in conditioner after towel-drying to minimize knots and friction on the strand when combing.
6. Towel-drying
Even your beloved towel-dry technique can be causing damage to your locks. Post-shower, use a micro-fiber towel on your hair to dry, or better yet, a clean t-shirt!
Types of Split Ends
There isn’t just one set way your hair can split, so it’s important to understand what type of damage you should be looking out for.
1. Classic split ends
The most common type, classic split ends are when hair separates in half at the tip. It looks like a fishtail!
2. Incomplete split ends
This type of split end happens when the hair strand weakens at a certain point, yet doesn’t completely split, creating an ‘eye of a needle’ appearance.
3. Tree and feathered split ends
This is where your hair ends have split multiple times, resembling that of a tree branch or a feather. This also means it’s high time for a trim. The presence of this means that your cuticle literally can’t keep it together.
4. Single strand knots
These split ends are more common with ladies that have naturally curly hair and are also known as ‘fairy knots,’ or by their technical name trichonodosis. Single strands curl back on themselves and create small knots, which cause hair to become easily tangled. You can identify one by gliding your fingers down a strand of your hair until you come across a solid bump on your strand.
How Can You Prevent Split Ends?
Since the most effective “cure” for split ends is to cut them off (a remedy that can be quite drastic for those who want to keep their length), the work then lies in a diligent everyday hair care routine.
Read on to see how you can prevent damage and what causes split ends from even forming in the first place:
1. Use a hair mask.
Treat your strands right by infusing them with much-needed moisture and hydration. This is especially important if you have color-treated hair or you do a ton of heat styling. Try the super moisturizing (and handy!) You can purchase a good hair mask like Helen Seward at Hair Shop Store. WhatsApp them at +62 813-3896-6331 or click this link
2. Get regular trims.
It might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the best way to keep your length intact is to get regular haircuts. Doing so ensures your tips are neatly trimmed straight across the cuticle, and that any budding splits at the very tips are, yes, nipped in the bud. Ed’s note: The sooner you book that appointment, the better (six to eight weeks is ideal). Split ends only worsen with time since the “break” can rise up the strand, potentially eating up more length. Book you trim session with The Shampoo Lounge for the best result by clicked here, or direct WhatsApp booking by clicked here Checked their menu here
3. Take a break.
As any style-savvy gal can attest, heat, color, and chemical treatments are all parts of a regular hair routine. Over time, any combination of these processes accrues and piles on the damage, paving the way for frayed, fried locks. We suggest taking a break (even a short one!) to allow your hair to recover. Why not air-dry or do some heatless looks for a week each month?
All in all, there are steps to take to ensure that cutting your hair off isn’t the only recourse one has against what causes split ends. So what causes split ends, and how are they kept at bay? A lot of it has to deal with proper maintenance and daily care, and realizing that a lot of the damage our hair incurs usually happens over a period of time.
Using the correct wash and care system for your hair type helps clean your hair without compromising strand health—meaning you reap benefits from day 1, and minimize the chance of split ends from ever forming.
article taken from all things hair