How to avoid split ends the super easy way. It’s super easy to keep your hair healthy and avoid split ends if you know where to start. One of the best things to consider is purchasing the right brush to fend off split ends.
Hair Ends Can Split In Usually One Of Three Ways
- The tree branch effect, ends that split into multiple pieces just like a tree branch.
- The classic Y split, ends split in two pieces just like the letter Y.
- The candle effect, hair is very thin at the end and the cuticle disappears leaving the cortex exposed.
How Do I Stop Getting Split Ends?
The root of your hair is the part that is always growing. So the end of your hair is oldest part of your hair. The ends may have been with you for many years, depending on the length of your hair. So just imagine all the styles and treatments that the ends have been through during it’s life. The ends have endured years of washing, drying, straighten and styling.
According to Ed, “Eventually over time, your hair becomes degraded and worn. The hair cuticles become exposed and the result is the ends of your hair have split or are broken.“
“Split ends can develop quickly because of damage that usually occurs over time due to small harmful bad habits. Usually the cumulative effects over time cause split ends. Here are the most common causes and what you can do to prevent split ends“, according to our in-house hair specialist Meesh.
1. Your Health Can Play A Role In Preventing Split Ends
Your overall health can have a big impact on your hair. For example, if you are dehydrated or have some king of deficiency your hair could be deficient also. And because of this be more susceptible to split ends. So, make sure you are giving your body all the nutrients it requires daily. And also make sure you stay hydrated.
2. Diet Can Play A Role In Preventing Split Ends
Your diet, believe it or not, has a significant impact on the health of your hair. A well-balanced diet will go a long way toward keeping your hair strong and healthy. Eating essential fatty acids like omega-3s plays an important role in the health of your skin, nails, and hair.
3. Weather Can Play A Role In Preventing Split Ends
Harsh weather like blazing sun, heat, wind and cold, even dry climates can affect your hair. The best way to combat the weather is to minimize exposure as much as possible. You may even try changing your hair style as to minimize exposure. A good example would be to choose not to sport an “afro” or “puff” style during harsh weather especially if you know you will be exposed for long periods of time.
4. Too Much Heat Can Play A Role In Preventing Split Ends
Heat is probably the biggest and worst enemy of most folks hair. More damage can be done to your hair in a few seconds with a hair dryer or hot bush on a high heat setting than exposing your hair all winter to the outdoor elements. Buy good tools that have controls so you can precisely control the amount of heat directed onto your hair. Start out by using the lowest heat setting you cane and work you way up to a higher heat setting as needed. So if you already have damage this will accelerate the damage. Try to avoid blow drying your ends. You can also leave your hair a little damp as not to let it dry out so much and causing an over-dry condition.
5. Use Leave In Conditioners Can Help With Split Ends
Using a leave-in conditioner to replenish moisture is one of the most effective and simple ways to treat damaged hair. But I like to take it a step further and get the most bang for my buck by looking for products that can be used as both a leave-in conditioner and a heat protectant. That’s why I recommend Redken One United All-In-One Leave-In Conditioner, which is more than just a heat protectant; it’s also a leave-in conditioner.
6. A Wet Head Is Not Good For Split Ends
When your hair is wet it’s at a very weak state. This is when you want to avoid forcefully ripping through your hair with a brush otherwise you run a high risk of causing physical damage. But if you must comb through wet hair and do not have the time to dry, so slowly and use a leave in conditioner to help move the comb or detangle brush through without much resistance. At this stage any brushing, detanling, even rubbing and styling can cause damage. Try using a micro fiber cloth to dry your hair and avoid rubbing. Wrap your hair in the micro fiber towel and let the towel absorb water naturally. Also, watch how often you shampoo your hair. Over doing it with the shampoo is not good. usually one or twice a week is enough.
7. Avoid Really Hot Water Can Help With Split Ends
Hot water can cause the cuticle to swell making it much easier for split ends to occur. Do not tie up your hair when it’s wet. It will stretch and cause breakage.
8. Let Hair Air Dry Is Great Split End Prevention
The best way to dry your hair is to let it air dry. By air drying, you completely avoid potentially damaging heat that can instantly dry out your hair. However, if you must blow dry your hair, use a heat protectant.
9. Wide Tooth Combs Are Good For Helping Prevent Split Ends
Wide tooth combs, or combs in general, are excellent for distributing conditioner evenly through your hair. Furthermore, they have wide teeth (or fewer teeth than brushes) that are spaced far apart to be gentle on your hair. However, choose carefully because many low-cost plastic combs have sharp edges that can snag your hair. In my opinion, it’s worth it to put in a few extra dollars to get a good one.
10. Supplements Can Play A Role In Preventing Split Ends
By taking supplements you can help to strengthen hair. Biotin and folic acid are good.
Can Shampooing Less Help With Split Ends?
The more you shampoo, the more you remove your scalp’s natural oils, which help to add moisture to your hair. Don’t be fooled by shampoos that claim to be sulfate-free or plant-based. Some are extremely strong and will completely strip your hair. For example, I once used a plant-based shampoo and discovered that the longer I left it on my hair, the more it stripped away my natural oils. I eventually realized that I only needed to leave the shampoo on for about a minute. That’s how effective it was.
Can You Actually Repair Split Ends?
Hair is vulnerable to splitting and breakage.
The truth is you can’t actually repair split ends. Your only real option is to cut them off. The reason why you can’t fix split ends is because your hair is not alive. It’s not going to be able to grow back together again. There is no treatment that can mend split ends. The best you can so is to try to prevent it from happening but once it does your only real option is to cut them off.
But there is one product that can make it look like you have no split ends. It’s called Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3 Repairing Treatment and Yes, it really works!!! Gives you hair a healthy appearance.
The Best Brushes For Avoiding Split Ends
1. Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Round Thermal Brush To Avoid Split Ends
#1 My Choice for a Round Brush. Excellent ceramic and ion thermal brush. Comes in different sizes to create any style you want. I love the seamless body design for no snags. No snags equals no pulling equals less breakage and split ends. The large vent holes provided maximum air flow to help reduce hot spots while styling. Love it!!!
- Features a vented ceramic barrel for faster and more consistent styling. Includes ion-charged material design. Helps smooth and shiny hair. Thermal’s heat up fast so you got to watch your heat setting closely.
2. Wet Brush Original Detangler Avoids Breakage
One of my favorite all-around brushes. Fantastic for Hair Types 3A – 3C. No pulling equals less breakage and split ends.
- The Wet Brush is specially designed to untangle your hair with its IntelliFlex bristles, which should glide easily through any knots in your hair. The soft tips of the bristles are designed to stimulate circulation in the follicle, which can help your hair grow faster. Using a good hairbrush actually makes a huge difference in avoiding split ends and keeping your hair healthy overall.
- The Wet Brush bristles are strong enough to comb through knots but flexible enough to be gentle on your hair and scalp, and unlike many other brushes, the Wet Brush works great on wet and dry hair.
- A comb is made of hard plastic and unforgiving. There is no giving in the hard plastic teeth when it encounters tangles and knots. There is only one angle of approach to the tangle when using a comb. And when using a comb, you have to be very careful not to put too much tension on your hair. The Wet Brush, on the other hand, has flexible bristles. They’re stiff, but not too stiff. The brush has many angles of approach to attack the tangle or knot. Working from all directions will eventually disturb your hair. The flexible bristles don’t put too much stress or pull on your hair. The bristles do a much better job of separating fine hair tangles and knots. That’s it.
3. Tangle Teezer Brush Best For Avoiding Hair Damage
The only downside is it does not have a handle so this may bother some folks. Types 3A – 3C.
- As soon as you start brushing, this sensational hairbrush removes knots and tangles, no need for painful pulling and unnecessary hair breakage. Tangle Teezer’s genius designed the right amount of flex teeth to de-stress,de-tangle and smooth the hair cuticle. Tangle Teezer is a friendly hair extension and weaving as well, unlike ordinary brushes and combs that catch, tug and snag. Tangle Teezer mixes with existing hair effortlessly creating a seamless and flawless finish.
- The best part about this brush is that you can use it on wet or dry hair and your hair won’t be pulled or snagged. But there is no handle there’s the biggest con.
4. Crave Naturals Glide Use To Stop Creating More Split Ends
I like because of the flexible bristles that work to separate knots instead of pulling. Types 3A – 3C.
- The Crave Naturals brush’s unique cone-shaped plastic bristles works to separate your hair sideways instead of downwards, gently unraveling even the toughest tangles.
- The “Glide Thru” brush, like other brushes, does not dig into the scalp or rip hair. It takes out tangles without hurting or yanking so when it’s time for hair brushing, it eliminates your child or even you going through fits.
5. Cricket Ultra Smooth Hair Pick Comb
For those of Once you open the package keratin and oils very slowly evaporate over time. For Hair Types 4A – 4C.
- An innovative, ergonomic design infused with the three most popular conditioning treatments: Argan oil, olive oil and protein keratin. This brush is ideal for removing all hair types, wet or dry. Replace tangles with luxurious brilliance and smooth, manageable hair. It can also be used as a normal brush.
6. Moroccanoil Ceramic Paddle Brush
You got a lot of hair, then finish faster with a paddle brush!!! Coiled and kinky, hair types 4a through 4c sometimes you can get away with using a paddle brush. The big advantage using a paddle brush is that you are going to cover more hair with each brush stroke thus finishing much quicker. Types 4A – 4C
7. Hyoujin Black Wide Tooth Comb Avoid Pulling And Braking Hair
Bargain comb. The biggest con I have is that the comb looks cheap. So if you can get past the looks it works great. Types 4A – 4C
8. Denman Cushion 9 Row Brush
My favorite for naturally curly hair period!!! Why? One brush that does it all and good for all hair types. High quality and very versatile. It can detangle, style and can be used with hair dryer. Plus you can take apart and remove a row if needed.
9. Wet Brush Shine Enhancer
Add shine naturally. Why? You can polish your hair when using this boar brush to get that extra shine without having to use a lot of products.
10. Cricket Comb
For those who want a comb. I like the blend of coconut and keratin infused plastic. What I don’t like is combs have no handle.
11. ghd Glide Hot Brush Avoids Causing More Heat Damage To Hair
#1 Choice for a Hair Straightener Brush. Fantastic for Medium to thin hair types. I love it because of its high quality, and it’s so simple to use. It features a combination of high density shorter and longer bristles for styling larger sections of hair. Saves you hair from burning because there is no complicated temperature controls to set. It’s a no brainier for saving your hair from split ends.
12. T3 Smooth Paddle Hair Brush
Paddle style brushes more hair 25% faster. Nice design, with a cushioned body and a broad flat base.
Conclusion
As a beauty writer working closely with the beauty industry, I’m often asked about one pesky hair problem that’s all too common: split ends. If you’ve ever taken a close look at your hair length and noticed small knots or frayed ends, you’ve probably experienced the occasional break. It’s a sign of damaged ends, sometimes due to excessive heat or aggressive brushing.
Don’t worry, though! I have some expert tips backed by the American Academy of Dermatology to help you avoid this hair nuisance. First up: your shampoo & conditioner. Using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner packed with hydrating ingredients is crucial. These nourishing hair products help combat dry strands and keep your hair healthy. On wash day, try to avoid products that can lead to product buildup. Instead, opt for those filled with nourishing ingredients and amino acids.
In addition to your regular shampoo and conditioner, consider using a hair mask. Weekly hair mask treatments, like coconut oil masks, can help replenish your hair’s natural moisture. They work wonders for brittle hair and give your hair the extra care it needs. Also, consider using a hair oil regularly. Natural hair loves this kind of treatment!
Speaking of treatments, if your hair experiences a lot of daily wear from heat styling tools like flat irons and curling irons, it might be time to put down the hot tool. Excessive use of heat tools can cause breakage along your hair shafts. But if you can’t resist that sleek look, make sure you’re using heat protectant hair cosmetics before applying any heat.
Chemical treatments, while often promising gorgeous hair, can lead to frazzled ends too. It’s a common tree split issue in the world of hair care. If you notice your hair becoming brittle, it might be time to have a chat with your hairdresser or hair stylist about switching up your routine.
As for your home environment, consider investing in a satin pillowcase or silk pillowcases. These can prevent breakage caused by friction between your hair fibers and your pillowcase. It’s a simple change, but your hair will thank you!
Regular trims are another crucial aspect of maintaining healthy ends. You don’t need a drastic haircut. Just ask your stylist for a slight trim during your next haircut to get rid of any flyaway hairs and ensure length retention. It’s always a good idea to consult with your stylist about how often you should trim based on your hair type. Maria Nila, a prominent figure in the hair industry, recommends trims every six to eight weeks for optimum hair health.
Don’t forget about your hair ties, too. Opt for ties that won’t tug on your hair and cause breakage. And lastly, a shine serum can give your hair a final glossy touch and act as a barrier against environmental damage.
So there you have it! Remember, gorgeous hair starts with healthy ends, not damaged ones. With these simple home remedies and lifestyle changes, you can achieve the healthy, shiny, and luscious hair you’ve always wanted.
The one take-a-way from this article is that there is no cure for split ends. There is no magical treatment that is going to repair damaged hair. The best thing you can do is to prevent damage in the first place. And lastly, consider using a high quality ceramic hair dryer. They are much better on your hair than conventional dryers.
References
Split Ends – progressive degeneration from the root to the tip of the hair of the cuticle and then later the cortex due to routine everyday wear and tear. Sinclair, R. D. (2007, December). Healthy hair: what is it?. In Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings (Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 2-5). Elsevier.
Robinson, V. N. E. (1976). A study of damaged hair. J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem, 27, 155-161.
Arai, M., Morita, K., Yahagi, K., & Naito, S. (1995). Studies on the split ends formation of hair by brushing. Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan, 29(2), 125-132.
Haake, H. M., Marten, S., Seipel, W., & Eisfeld, W. (2009). Hair breakage–how to measure and counteract. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 60(2), 143-151.