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Battling Split Ends

Is your normally smooth, shiny hair frizzing and fraying at the ends? If so, take a close look: You'll likely see split ends.

Split ends are a common hair problem. Unfortunately, once you get them, the only way to make them go away is to cut your hair. By learning about the causes of split ends, you can help keep your hair shiny, strong and free from frizz.

Causes of Split Ends

Split ends occur when your hair's cuticle wears down. Usually, cuticle damage results from hair styling. The following can all contribute to split ends:

Brushing hair while it is wet can make hair ends split.
Coloring your hair, applying a perm or chemically straightening your hair can cause split ends by drying the hair.
Excessive brushing of the hair and brushing hair in the opposite direction of hair growth can disturb the cuticle and cause split ends.
Hair accessories, including ponytail holders and headbands, can damage and weaken the ends of your hair.
Using heated appliances (e.g., blow dryers, curling irons, rollers, straightening irons, etc.) can dry the hair and cause it to split.

Some people are more prone to get split ends than others. For instance, people with dry hair and curly hair are more likely to have spilt ends than people with oily or straight hair. People who are prone to split ends should take extra care when styling their hair.

Spilt End Treatment

There are several products on the market that claim to repair split ends. While these products provide a temporary fix by sealing and coating the ends of the hair, they last only until your hair is washed or brushed. Likewise, deep conditioners can help prevent split ends but cannot cure them once they are present.

To get rid of split ends, you'll need to go to your stylist for a trim. For the best results, get a trim at least every six weeks. If you do not trim your split ends, they will continue to split up the hair shaft. Thus, the longer you wait, the more hair you'll have to have cut.

Preventing Split Ends

To prevent split ends, follow these steps when caring for your hair:

Before using heated appliances on your hair, apply a thermal protection spray or serum. These will help distribute the heat evenly over your hair and will reduce split ends.
If you chemically treat your hair, wait at least two weeks between treatments.
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to minimize tangling.
To keep hair moisturized, use a conditioner each time you shampoo. In addition, use a deep conditioner once a month.
Never brush your hair when it is wet. Rather, gently comb it with a wide-toothed comb to remove tangles.

When you brush your hair, do so gently. Tension caused by brushing can lead to split ends.
When using heated appliances, use them on the lowest effective setting. Also, avoid using heated appliances whenever possible.

Resources

Hairfinder.com (n.d.). Get Rid of Split Ends. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from the Hairfinder.com Web site: http://www.hairfinder.com/articles2005/splitends.htm.

Neko, Olivia (n.d.). Conquer Your Split Ends. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from the iVillage.com Web site: http://beauty.ivillage.com/hair/hairfaq/0,,7q3t6w1x,00.html.

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