How do I know if my hair is damaged or dry?

Dry hair feels rough but softens after conditioner. Damaged hair stays brittle, breaks easily, and tangles often. If your hair snaps when brushing or has visible split ends, it's likely damaged.

Split End Identifier Tool: How to Spot and Treat Every Type of Hair Damage

Q: What are the 4 types of split ends?

There are four main types of split ends: Single Split (a simple 'Y' shape at the tip), Multiple Splits (frayed ends that look like a feather), Mid-Shaft Breakage (breaks in the middle of the hair strand), and White Dots (tiny bumps caused by Trichorrhexis Nodosa).

Q: Can you fix split ends?

No, split ends can't be fixed once the hair is split. You need to trim them to prevent further damage, and use hair treatments to protect the rest of your hair.

Q: Should I cut split ends or treat them?

You should do both. Trim split ends to prevent them from getting worse, and treat your hair with oils, masks, and less heat styling to prevent new damage.

Table of Contents

How to Spot and Identify Split Ends
Split ends are tiny fractures in your hair shaft that make strands look frayed, feathery, or broken. You can spot them by checking the ends of your hair for small splits, white dots, or breakage mid-strand. The most common types are:

Single Split – a classic Y-shape at the tip
Multiple Splits – feathered or broom-like ends
Mid-Shaft Breakage – damage in the middle of the strand
White Dots – tiny bumps where hair is about to snap

Not sure what kind of damage your hair’s dealing with? You’re not alone. Split ends come in more shapes than most people realize single splits, frayed ends, mid-shaft breakage, even weird little white dots that make you wonder if your hair’s breaking or just mad at you. That’s exactly why I built this Split End Identifier Tool. Just match what you see with the photos below and I’ll break down what’s going on, what caused it, and what you can actually do to fix it (no salon trip required).

Click on the image. Which of these looks like your hair ends?

Click to see how to treat single split end hair damage — **Single Split End**

Click to see how to treat multiple split end hair damage — **Single Split End**

Split End Type	Visual Cue	Where It Happens	Common Cause
Single Split	Y-shaped tip	Hair ends	Dryness, heat
Multiple Splits	Feathered, frayed	Hair ends	Over-processing
Mid-Shaft Breakage	Snap in the middle	Mid-strand	Weak structure
White Dots	Tiny white bumps	Mid to end	Trichorrhexis nodosa

Can You Tell the Difference? Healthy Hair vs Damaged Hair

What Makes Healthy Hair Stand Out

Smooth and uniform from root to tip
No visible splits or white specks
Reflects light evenly (natural shine)
Feels soft and strong not dry or brittle
Holds style without breaking

Frequently Asked Questions About Split Ends & Damaged Hair

Q: What are the 4 types of split ends?
A: There are four main types:

Single Split – A simple “Y” shape at the tip of the hair. The classic one.
Multiple Splits – Frayed ends that look like a feather or broom extra damaged.
Mid-Shaft Breakage – Breaks that happen in the middle of the hair strand, not just the end.
White Dots (Trichorrhexis Nodosa) – Tiny white bumps that mean the hair’s about to snap.

Use this Split End Identifier Tool to see which one matches your hair.

Q: Can you fix split ends?
A: Not exactly. Once the hair is split, it can’t fuse back together there’s no “healing” it. But you can trim them, prevent more damage, and use treatments to smooth and protect the rest of your hair. Think of it like pruning a plant to help it grow better.

Q: How do I know if my hair is damaged or just dry?
A: Good question. Dry hair feels rough but usually softens after conditioner. Damaged hair? It stays brittle, breaks easily, and looks frizzy or stringy even after treatment. If your hair tangles constantly, snaps when brushing, or has lots of split ends, it’s likely damaged.

Q: Should I cut split ends or treat them?
A: You should do both. Trim them to stop the split from traveling up the strand, and treat your hair to prevent future damage. Use hydrating masks, oils, and go easy on heat styling. Trimming is damage control; treating is future-proofing.

Your HairBrushy Repair Kit: Fix the Split, Treat the Strand

Not all damage is created equal and neither are the fixes. Here’s what I personally recommend for each type of split or break. These are products I trust and often use myself. Heads up: some links are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you buy (at no cost to you).

Amazon affiliate links. Heads up this article contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them (at no extra cost to you). I only recommend stuff I’ve tried, trust, or would use myself. Thanks for supporting the site!