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Each time you cut ties with them, they keep coming back with a vengeance. No, we’re not talking about your exes. We’re talking about your unwelcome split ends. They serve really no purpose apart from bringing down the health of your hair and stunting its growth. The worst bit is though that split ends, the arch nemesis of good hair days, are notorious for making a comeback. So, we understand the frustration of regular trims. Your impending question of how to cure split ends shall be answered but before that here’s a lowdown on the causes of split ends.
What Are Split Ends
Simply put, split ends are hair strands that get divided into thinner hair strands.
A research paper defines split ends as a result of constant damage due to physical and chemical stressors that lead to the weakening of the hair and rupturing of the integral structure of the hair strands causing them to break apart. Split ends usually occur on the ends of the hair lengths but they can also break in the middle of the hair shaft making your hair appear thinner as it cascades.
Different Types Of Split Ends
Even a single hair strand is made up of multiple-minute hair strands that are coiled together for strength and volume. So when your hair undergoes damage and stress the hair strands uncoil and start breaking apart causing split ends. Here are different types of split ends that are most commonly seen and experienced.
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Double Split
This is the most common type of split that breaks in the middle equally and causes thin hair in the end. This is caused when your hair undergoes a lot of friction and roughness. It can also happen when your hair is often tangled and not smoothed out.
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Partial Split
When one hair strand uncoils itself and loses its structural integrity, it gets separated from the main hair strand causing a partial split. This is also called a mini-split and it often is the starting stage of hair damage, a warning for you to start repairing incoming damage.
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Tree Split
A tree split occurs when a single hair strand starts breaking apart like branches on a tree. This is a severe case of damage because multiple splits occur on the same strand. When you start witnessing this, a trip to the salon is a must.
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Fork Split
This appears like a three- or four-pronged fork. Multiple strands start splitting from the same hair follicle making the hair extremely susceptible to damage and breakage.
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Candle Split
This occurs when the hair strands split in the middle and not just at the end. This drastically makes your hair look thinner and the bottom half is broken and gone, similar to the thickness of a candle and its wick.
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Knot Split
When you have textured hair like curls and waves, your hair can experience friction and get tangled in tiny knots. This causes the hair after the knot to break apart due to the roughness of the knot.
Reasons For Split Ends
Knowing what causes split ends makes it easier to tackle the problem and arrive at the appropriate split ends remedy. Here are some common reasons behind split ends:
- Give your styling tools a break. Curling irons, straighteners, blow dryers and other heat styling tools make your hair dry and accelerate the damage process. This leads to split ends and brittle hair.
- If you have been using the best hair care products but have been towel drying your hair the wrong way, you’ve got it all wrong, girl. Use a gentle cotton t-shirt to soak in the excessive water rather than rubbing a coarse towel against your tresses.
- You may be tempted to comb your hair when it’s wet, but don’t you dare. Brushing wet hair can cause unnecessary stretching and friction, resulting in damage.
- Repeated sun exposure can damage the protein and keratin bonds within your strands. Courtesy, UV radiation.
- Coloring hair comes at a cost (no, we know it’s expensive but that’s not it.) The chemical processes involved in colouring weaken the hair cuticles, making them prone to split ends.
- According to a study, if you don’t regularly oil your hair before you wash or cleanse it, it can cause 30% more damage than people who oil. Massage and mask your hair with coconut oil to fortify your hair strands and increase strength.
How To Prevent Split Ends
Other than turning to home remedies and products when it’s too late, you can follow a few steps as prevention and stop hair before it splits. Here are a few ways on how to reduce split ends:
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Condition
Just washing your hair is not enough when it comes to maintaining healthy hair. You also need to condition your hair . Your hair goes through a lot of damage due to environmental and mental stressors. All these cause your hair to experience roughness and friction. Friction causes the hair to break and experience damage more easily than deeply conditioned hair. Conditioning smoothes out your hair strands and reduces friction leading to healthy, non-split ends.
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Hydrate
Washing cleans your hair and conditioning smoothens it out, but you also need to add hydration to your hair. Make sure you exfoliate your hair once a month and apply a hair mask before you wash your hair. Hydrating your hair will help it become stronger and reduce the chances of split ends and breakage. You will be less rough and prone to damage caused due to friction.
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Repair With A Serum
After you wash and dry your hair, follow it with a serum that repairs and nourishes your hair strands to prevent breakage, promote growth, and reduce split ends. A hair repair serum adds the necessary nutrients and keratin lost during the day and after washing.
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Swap Your Pillow Cases
If you are using any synthetic or even cotton pillowcases it is time you make a switch. Cotton is a very good material when it comes to clothes because they are breathable and comfortable, but for your hair, you need something that is soft and silky. We recommend using satin pillowcases to reduce friction in your hair when you sleep and reduce the occurrence of split ends.
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Ditch Plastic Combs
Plastic combs also cause a lot of friction and static electricity (remember those science experiments with a brushed comb and water?) Opt for a wooden brush or a bamboo brush to reduce friction and as a benefit reduce the use of plastic.
Home Remedies For Split Ends
We have scouted high and low to discover hair split ends home remedies that will prove low on cost and high on results. Learn how to treat split ends with items from your kitchen.
Split Ends Remedy #1: Beer
You didn’t think your weekend drug could save your tresses too, right? The proteins and sugar in the beer that you’ve been guzzling all your adult life actually help strengthen and repair damaged hair follicles and shafts. Besides, the pH balance of beer is like that of natural hair which ensures a beer wash doesn’t leave the tresses too oily or dry. Also, Silica in beer can finally help you move over from a flat mane to a voluminous one. The next time you party, save some beer for your locks too.
- Step 1: Fill a spray bottle with beer and spritz evenly all over your hair.
- Step 2: Let it stay for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Rinse off with a mild shampoo so you don’t end up smelling like you partied all night.
Got Too Lazy:
Split Ends Remedy #2: Papaya
Frustrated by split ends? You’re just a peel away from healthy hair. Papaya is a powerhouse of Vitamin A which improves sebum production to keep your hair follicles moisturized. This goes on to promote hair growth and provide intense hair treatment for split ends. Moreover, Folic Acid in Papaya stimulates blood circulation in the scalp which means thicker and healthier hair. Basically, a Papaya hair mask is all you need to add life to your limp hair.
- Step 1: Mash some Papaya and mix it with two tablespoons of Yogurt.
- Step 2: Apply the paste to your hair and let it stay for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Follow it up with a rinse.
Topical Alternative:
Split Ends Remedy #3: Egg Yolk
The next time you decide to make yourself an eggy brekkie, consider saving an egg for your tresses as well. The egg yolk is the protagonist that strengthens hair strands and enables split hair treatment. The essential Fatty Acids and proteins improve your hair’s resistance to breakage. Your hair shaft is basically made of Keratin, the very fibrous protein found in Eggs. Do we need to say more?
- Step 1: Whisk an egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil in a cup. Add a drop of honey.
- Step 2: Massage this concoction on your scalp and put on a shower cap. Let it stay for a while.
- Step 3: Wash off with a mild fragrant shampoo.
Got Too Lazy:
Split Ends Remedy #4: Coconut Oil
Remember all the times you were forced to sit for champi sessions with your mom? Sure, the Coconut Oil feels a little extra oily at times, but the right amount massaged onto your scalp can restore your hair’s health. This Vitamin E-rich ingredient straight from your kitchen can put any other natural conditioner to shame. Moreover, Coconut Oil doesn’t make combing such a harrowing deal after all.
- Step 1: Take a coin-sized amount of Coconut Oil and rub it between your palms.
- Step 2: Massage your scalp with the oil and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Follow it with your regular hair wash routine.
Topical Alternative:
Split Ends Remedy #5: Honey
If you are still struggling with dry scalp and split ends, you are yet to learn. Honey nourishes dry scalp by restoring lost moisture and consequently preventing the occurrence of split ends. Its antioxidant properties condition the scalp, strengthen the follicles and promote healthy hair growth. Honey may seem like a sticky alternative but it helps keep split ends at bay.
- Step 1: Add two tablespoons of Honey, 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil and two tablespoons of Yogurt to create a mixture.
- Step 2: Apply this paste to your scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Wash it off with a mild shampoo for split ends.
Got Too Lazy:
Products For Split-End Treatment
Apart from hair split ends home remedies, there are numerous other products that can generously do the trick with time.
Split Ends Treatment Product #1:
The Wow Skin Science Hair Conditioner is formulated with Organic Virgin Coconut Oil & Avocado Oil that smoothens hair without making it greasy. This lightweight conditioner doesn’t weigh you down and reduces split ends with time. It works from root to tip by removing excessive oil and frizziness.
Split Ends Treatment Product #2:
A few drops of the Minimalist Maleic Bond Repair Complex 05% Hair Serum spiked with carrot seed oil, coconut oil, and Maleic Acid nourish the length of your hair and repair damaged tips. Vitamin E penetrates the hair shafts to repair the structure and prevent breakage. If your hair has been on a Sahara trip recently, this serum can undo all that dryness in a snap.
Split Ends Treatment Product #3:
Seal split ends with this nourishing balm that restores the optimal level of health. It promises to nourish tips, tame frizz and prevent split ends, thus reducing breakage. Infused with a blend of Panthenol and Light Silicone Oil, this balm rejuvenates the scalp for stronger roots and shafts.
Split Ends Treatment Product #4:
Hola nourished hair with this creamy hair mask for split ends. Enriched with the goodness of Argan, Grapeseed, Rosemary Leaves, Coconut, Sunflower, Cedarwood, Lavender, Vitamin E, Beeswax, Nat Habit Green Infused Post-Wash Hair Balm restores lost hydration and protects your tresses against damage by sun and salt. Yes, make this your BFF the next time you visit the beach.
Split Ends Treatment Product #5:
Argan Oil is known to fortify hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth. This is the exact active ingredient found in this best shampoo for dry damaged hair with split ends. It is formulated with restorative properties that make split ends a thing of the past. Nourish dehydrated and damaged hair to give it the TLC it deserves with the best shampoo for split ends.
FAQs
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How to reduce split ends?
Reduce split ends by hydrating, nourishing, and conditioning your hair regularly to avoid friction-induced breakage and damage. Use ingredients that moisturise and strengthen your hair follicles and improve the quality of your hair with the right products and routine.
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How do split ends get worse?
Split ends get worse when you don’t hydrate your hair enough and aggressively detangle your unruly hair. Combing the hair gently can prevent the damaged hair from splitting more. Sleeping on silk or satin pillowcases and using a wooden brush help reduce or control split ends.
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How to treat split ends instantly?
The easiest and quickest way to treat split ends is to cut them off. Regularly trimming your split ends gives your hair a voluminous appearance. A light dusting of the ends with a fine pair of scissors helps maintain the length and chop off the ends.
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How to cut split ends at home?
If you are constantly bogged down with split ends, then you can simply cut the ends at home. Since it is not a styling cut you can easily do it yourself. Take a sharp and small pair of scissors, part your hair into 12–16 equal parts and take every part, twist the hair and you will see split ends on the edge. Cut around 1 centimetre of your hair with slow gentle cuts. The best way is to ask a friend or a family member to do it for you if going to a salon is not an option.
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Can I part my split ends?
No, you should not pick, pull, or part your split ends. It only causes more damage than good as the hair strands become weaker and prone to further damage.
