Lets Get Our Split Ends Under Control Once And For All

No matter how coarse, kinky* or smooth our hair is, one thing is for sure: split ends are an issue that plagues ALL hair types.

Frizzy and unkempt split ends are not only deterrent to maintaining a beautiful hairstyle, but they also damage the health of our hair as well.

Split ends have been noted as the leading hair complaint faced by women throughout the world. While it is impossible to eradicate the problems of split ends once and for all, it is certainly possible to reduce their occurrence and maintain healthy hair by following a few simple and at-home hair treatment techniques.

What causes split ends?

So, why does our hair split at the ends? Several factors tend to cause split ends. The primary cause of split ends is due to the hair losing its moisture and its protective overcoat, which in turn exposes the internal structure of the hair, leading to weakened, dehydrated and damaged hair.

When this happens, the hair withers down into several layers, resulting in a phenomenon that causes split ends at the tip of the hair.

There are multiple reasons why our hair is stripped of its protective coat. Harmful chemicals, heat, dust, pollution, overuse of hair heating and straightening tools, hair treatment and coloring agents, and the use of pins or narrow-toothed combs which cause wear and tear and ultimately excessive hair dryness.

Together with a lack of proper maintenance, the hair strands lose their moisture along with its protective coating, which leads to hair splitting up at the ends.

How can I prevent split ends?

Split ends can be prevented to an extent by keeping our hair moisturized. There are several DIY protein treatment products available off the shelf that can be used to treat your hair within the convenience of your home.

(Check out our article on homemade protein treatments here!) You can also apply good quality conditioners and avoid shampooing your hair excessively.

By limiting the use of harmful chemicals, hair colors, or other treatment products, you can control split ends to a large extent.

If you are in doubt about your in-home prevention methods, you can always consult professional services to help you to analyze the condition of your hair. Your stylist will tell you the best course of action to repair those split ends and prevent them from recurring.

So, how do I repair them?

Along with regular hair protein treatments, you can also follow other hair care techniques such as using a wide-toothed comb, taking vitamin supplements* to keep your hair healthy, and trimming your hair once in a while.

Something my hair stylist told me is to douse my hair in coconut oil* the day before wash day. I simply take a spray bottle and wet the hair then section it off and apply the treatment.

During the day I wear it up in a simple bun so it’s not all in my face. If you do this method, make sure you sleep with a plastic shower cap* so you won’t get oil all over your pillow!

You should also make it a priority to check the hardness of the water before washing your hair. Swimming pools, as well as regular tap water, may contain excessive chlorine that is harmful for your hair.

If you hair is exposed to such water, always wash it immediately with a shampoo and use a deep conditioner*, natural oils*, or any homemade protein treatment to ensure that your hair is thoroughly moisturized and has enough moisture to prevent it from drying and developing split ends.

How often should I trim my hair?

Normally, hair grows up to a quarter or half of an inch on a monthly basis. Depending upon the severity of your split ends, you should carefully decide on the intervals, as having a trim too often may actually negatively affect the health of your hair.

As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to trim your hair once in 3 months, or if you have a faster growth rate, once in two months may be preferred. Try to mix up your hair styles and use moisturizing agents or heat protection to ensure that you keep your hair moisturized, which will help in preventing split ends.

How much should I trim?

A professional hair stylist should have an exact idea about how far up your hair should be trimmed to avoid split ends. However, if you wish to trim your own hair, you have to analyze the extent of damage, and see how far the ends are split.

Take a group of hair strands and spread it out across a light background or against the light, which will give you a fair idea about the length of hair that has been damaged.

Once you find the ideal length, trim about a centimeter away from the split ends by cutting perpendicularly to your hair, and not in an angled position. Straight cuts are always a good option for maintaining a healthy hair.

You can also get your family members or your friends to help you out, but if you are not sure of what you are doing, always visit a hair styling expert.

We in the natural community appreciate every inch of hair that grows, but we shouldn’t be afraid of scissors! A good trim will benefit us in the long run. How have your hair-trimming experiences been?