Split Ends: Causes & Treatment

Your hair weakens and becomes more prone to breakage or splitting when damage is sustained by it. This may result in hair that looks brittle or unhealthy. As a result of the ongoing damage and lack of treatment, hair thinning, and bald spots may eventually appear. Despite the fact that hair is normally sturdy, wear and tear can nevertheless harm it. Since the oldest and weakest strands of your hair are located at the end, this damage, also known as split ends, happens there¹.

Types of Split Ends²

Although there are a few distinct forms of split ends, which all occur when hair becomes split at the tips or ends, they differ slightly from one another. Split ends come in a variety of forms, and each type also has its own causes, which are crucial to comprehend. 

• Double Split: The most prevalent and most easily identified type of split end is the double split. These splits, which occur when your hair tips break in half and form a Y shape, are caused by the hair's cuticle becoming worn or damaged, frequently by the friction created by over-styling or over-brushing your hair.

• Partial Split: On a smaller scale than a double split, a partial split is comparable to one. Fortunately, partial splits are rarely very significant; they typically happen when your hair is dry and has experienced some damage. You may mend your hair before the partial split makes the damage to it worse by being cautious and limiting the amount of heat exposure.

• Tree Split: If you discover that your hair contains strands that are split into multiple locations and resemble a tree with branches protruding, you have what is referred to as a tree split. These split hair kinds indicate that you need to trim your hair properly because it is damaged.

• Fork Split: The fork split is shaped like a fork with three protruding splits that mimic the tines of a fork. When your hair is not properly hydrated, this kind of split happens.

Causes of Split Ends³

Split ends can form for a variety of reasons and due to various practices. These elements and behaviors consist of: 

• Rubbing shampoo through your hair

• Not conditioning your hair 

• Allowing harsh chemicals, such as those in swimming pools, to come into touch with your hair 

• Drying your hair with a towel

• Brushing your hair while it's still wet 

• Using hot combs, curling irons, and/or blow dryers regularly and on high settings

• Using permanent hair-styling products 

• Putting your hair up in a tight bun, braid, ponytail, or other updo 

• Wearing weaves and extensions 

• Using stylist-provided hair services to relax, color, or perm your hair 

• Rubbing your hair too much 

In addition to the aforementioned causes, environmental, dietary, and genetic variables can also result in split ends.

Split Ends Treatment 

Split ends can only be eliminated by having your hair cut or trimmed because there are no known therapies or remedies for them. By cutting your hair, you can stop split ends from spreading further along the strand and spare your hair from additional harm.

How to Prevent Split Ends?

Split ends cannot be treated other than by having your hair cut; however, there are a number of techniques to avoid acquiring split ends. 

• Avoid washing your hair every day because doing so removes the natural oils that keep your hair moisturized. Wash your hair once every two to three days rather than every day.

• Modify your hair brushing technique and pay attention to the comb or hairbrush you choose to use. Use a brush with flexible bristles or a paddle brush that is cushioned. Brushing should begin with detangling the ends and then moving slowly and carefully up the strands. Additionally, you should brush your hair with a wide-tooth comb only while it is damp and before utilizing heated tools like flat irons.

• Try not to massage shampoo into your hair: Scrub your scalp with the shampoo after applying it. Your hair will get plenty of shampoos as you rinse the shampoo out since it will spread throughout the remainder of your hair.

• Before styling your hair, be sure to condition the ends of your hair thoroughly. For maximum results, give the conditioner a few minutes to be absorbed. 

• When drying your hair with a towel, exercise caution. Gently scrunch or squeeze your hair instead of twisting or rubbing it.

• The most fragile area of your hair, the ends, should not be dried with heat. Use only heated appliances like blow dryers to dry the center section of your hair.

• Alter the way you style your hair: It's crucial to avoid overheating the tips when using styling tools like curling irons. Instead of winding your hair around a curling iron from root to tip, start by placing the iron at the root and then carefully wrapping your hair around it.

• Regularly trim your hair: It's crucial to have frequent haircuts to maintain the health of your hair and cut off any split ends that have developed. As a result, routine trims ought to be carried out every six to eight weeks.

In conclusion, once you have split ends, there is no treatment for them; your only alternative is to clip them off. To avoid split ends and breakage in your hair, prevention is essential. The general health and beauty of your hair can be greatly enhanced by taking care of it properly and by abstaining from certain practices⁴.

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