Split Ends Treatment – Causes, Types & Best Remedies

Split ends are one of the most common hair problems, and they are a clear sign of hair damage. They occur when the outer protective layer of the hair becomes weak, causing the ends to break and look frizzy or uneven.

While trimming is the only way to completely get rid of split ends, the right split ends treatment can help prevent new ones, protect dry ends, and keep your hair looking smooth for longer. This article is an easy guide to effective split ends treatment, prevention tips, and simple home remedies.

What Are Split Ends?

Split ends occur when a single hair strand breaks into two or more parts at the tip. The medical term for split ends is trichoptilosis. They can show up anywhere along the hair shaft, but they are most commonly seen at the ends.

Even though having a few split ends may be considered normal, if you have many, it’s a sign your hair needs extra care. If split ends are ignored, they can make your hair look dry, weak, and more prone to breakage.

Types of Split Ends

A single hair strand is actually made of many tiny hair fibres twisted together that give strength and thickness to your hair. When your hair becomes weak or damaged, these fibres start to separate, leading to split ends. Given below are the common types of split ends that you may notice.

• Double Split: Double split is the most common type of split ends, where the hair splits into two equal parts at the tip, making the end look thin. Some of the causes of double splits include excessive friction, rough handling, or frequent tangles.

• Partial Split: In a partial split, only one side of the hair strand starts to separate. It appears to be a very small split and can be considered an early sign that your hair needs care. It is the first stage before bigger split ends form.

• Tree Split: In this type of split end, one hair strand has many small splits along its side, just like branches on a tree. It implies severe damage, and your hair needs immediate trimming or salon care.

• Fork Split: In a fork split, the hair splits into three or more tiny parts, resembling the shape of a fork. It indicates that the hair strand is extremely weak and more likely to break.

• Candle Split: In a candle split, the hair strand has a candle-like shape where the middle part of the hair becomes very thin, while the tip looks normal. The formation of the candle-split ends is an indication that your hair has lost strength from the inside.

• Knot Split: People with curly or wavy hair often experience a knot-split. Small knots are formed on the strand due to friction or tangling, and the hair breaks right after the knot.

Common Causes of Split Ends

When the outer layer of your hair becomes weak and starts to peel, it can cause the strand to break, resulting in split ends. Some of the common causes of split ends include damage or rough handling. Here are some common reasons:

1. Physical Damage

• Rough Brushing: Combing or brushing your hair too hard, especially when it’s wet, can cause the hair strands to pull and tear.
• Tight Hairstyles: Tight ponytails, braids, or bun hairstyles can create tension on the hair and lead to breakage.
• Hair Accessories: Hair ends may weaken when you use rubber bands or tight clips.
• Harsh Towel Drying: Rubbing your hair with a towel can make the cuticle rough and cause split ends.
• Not Trimming on Time: When you don’t cut split ends regularly, they keep splitting further, and later your hair becomes harder to fix.
• Friction From Fabrics: When you sleep on rough materials like cotton pillowcases, it can rub against your hair and cause breakage. Use satin or silk pillowcases, which are gentle and protect the hair.

2. Heat Styling

• Frequent Use of Heat Styling Tools: When you blow-dry, straighten, or curl your hair regularly, it becomes dry and breaks easily.
• High Temperatures: While using tools at high heat settings, moisture from the hair strands is removed, and they become fragile.
• No Heat Protection: Styling your hair without using a heat-protectant spray or cream will leave your hair exposed, and it is more likely to get damaged.

3. Chemical Hair Treatments

Like with most hair treatments that involve the use of strong chemicals, they can make your hair weak and cause split ends. When these treatments are done too often or not done correctly, the hair becomes dry, rough, and more likely to break.

4. Environmental Causes

• Sunlight: Too much sun exposure can make your hair dry and weak.
• Wind Exposure: Your hair gets easily tangled when exposed to wind, and when you comb those knots later, your hair breaks easily.

• Pool Water: Swimming in chlorinated water can strip moisture from your hair and make it feel rough.

5. Nutritional Deficiencies

If your diet lacks sufficient intake of important nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals, it can weaken your hair, increasing the chance of breakage.

6. Overwashing your hair

If you wash your hair too frequently, it can strip the natural oils from your scalp, resulting in dry and rough hair.

7. Using Strong or Harsh Hair Products

Products with strong chemicals, sulphates, or alcohol can dry out your hair and cause damage.

Best Split Ends Treatment Methods

Even though cutting your hair at least once every 8 weeks may be considered the most reliable way to remove split ends, that’s not the only option available for split ends treatment. Given below are a few tips that can help reduce and prevent split ends:

Remove Tangles from Your Hair

Before drying, brushing, or styling your hair, untangle it. Knots in both wet and dry hair can cause pulling and damage. Always use a wide-tooth comb to gently remove tangles, which helps reduce the chance of breakage.

Protect Your Hair From Heat Damage

Excessive use of heat styling tools can cause your hair to become dry and weaken it. Allow your hair to air-dry whenever you can. If you are using heat styling tools, set them at a low temperature and always apply a heat protectant to reduce damage.

Use a Silk Pillowcase While You Sleep

Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase can help reduce split ends. The smooth surface of these pillowcases reduces friction, allowing your hair to move easily without getting pulled or roughened. If you don’t have silk pillowcases, you can also wrap your hair in a silk scarf before bed to keep it safe.

Drink Enough Water

When your body is well-hydrated, your hair stays soft and is less prone to dryness and split ends.

Take Gentle Care of Damp Hair

Your hair is very delicate when it’s wet. So, rubbing wet hair with a towel can cause breakage, weaken the strands, resulting in more split ends or frizziness. Instead, gently pat dry your hair with a towel to soak up the water and protect it from damage.

Nourish Your Hair With Hydrating Masks

Applying hair masks is a great way to prevent split ends, as they provide deep moisture for your hair and are more effective than regular conditioners. These hair masks may be applied once a week. Leave these masks on your hair for a while so that your hair can soak up all the goodness.

Avoid Excessive Brushing

Brushing your hair too often can cause breakage and lead to split ends. Brush your hair only when you need to style or make it look neat. Avoid pulling it hard, and use a detangling product if your hair has stubborn knots.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

Hair requires essential nutrients, including protein, biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins, to remain healthy and strong. Consuming foods like eggs, nuts, salmon, and green leafy vegetables can help make your hair stronger and reduce split ends.

Don’t Wash Your Hair Too Often

When you wash your hair frequently, it can remove natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry. Try to wash it only as often as your hair needs, which is usually every 2-3 days. This practice helps retain your hair’s natural moisture and reduces the chance of getting split ends.

Use Natural Products for Hair Care

The majority of the hair products available nowadays contain strong chemicals, such as sulphates, that can remove your hair’s natural oils, leading to dry hair and split ends. By using natural hair care products, you can nourish your hair without causing damage. Use aloe vera, amla, and other plant-based ingredients to keep your hair soft and healthy. Also, choose natural shampoos, conditioners, and treatments to protect your hair from harsh chemicals and support better overall hair health.

Include Leave-In Conditioner in Your Hair Care Routine

Leave-in conditioners provide extra moisture and protection after washing your hair. These conditioners stay on your hair all day, and help protect it from the Sun, dust, and pollution. They can keep your hair hydrated, soft and reduce the chance of getting split ends.

Massage Your Hair with Nourishing Oils

When you massage your scalp with oils like coconut, almond, or olive oil, it provides your hair with deep nourishment. The blood flow to the scalp is improved, hair remains well-moisturised, which in turn helps prevent dryness, breakage, and split ends.

Avoid Simultaneous Hair Treatments

Frequently undergoing chemical hair treatments can damage your hair. Allow a time gap between each treatment to ensure your hair has sufficient time to recover. It is ideal to wait at least 8-10 weeks before doing touch-ups.

Also, avoid doing two hair treatments at the same time. Leave a gap of about two weeks if you plan to colour and relax your hair. To maintain the health of your hair, apply a hair mask once a week or use a conditioner every time you wash your hair.

Protect Your Hair from the Sun

Staying in the Sun for a long time can make your hair weak and cause split ends. While spending time outdoors, wear a hat to cover your hair. Also, you can use hair products that offer UV protection.

Choose Loose Hairstyles

Hairstyles such as tight ponytails or braids involve pulling and applying pressure to the strands, which can cause breakage and lead to split ends. Try loose hairstyles and avoid using rubber bands, as they can create more friction and damage your hair.

Home Remedies for Split Ends

To reduce split ends, you can try these home remedies using natural ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, etc. These simple methods can help soften dry ends and make your hair look healthier.

Papaya Hair Mask

The vitamins and natural enzymes contained in papaya help improve hair texture, reduce dryness, and give shine. Yoghurt adds moisture and leaves your hair soft and smooth.

Ingredients:

• A small piece of ripe papaya (use more for long hair)
• Yoghurt -½ cup

Directions:

• Blend the papaya and yoghurt into a smooth paste.
• Apply this paste to slightly wet hair.
• After 30-45 minutes, wash off your hair with cold water and then apply shampoo.

Banana Hair Mask

A banana hair mask helps add moisture to dry ends, whereas yogurt offers soft, smooth and shiny hair.

Ingredients:

• Ripe banana – 1
• Yogurt- 2 tablespoons
• Honey- 1 tablespoon

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients into a smooth paste.
• Apply this paste to your hair.
• After 30-45 minutes, rinse off your hair and shampoo it.

Honey Hair Mask

Honey can keep your hair moisturised, while the oil will leave it soft and nourished.

Ingredients:

• Honey- 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil/ coconut oil- 2 tablespoons

Directions:

• Mix both the ingredients well and apply the mixture to slightly wet hair.
• After 20-30 minutes, wash and shampoo your hair.

Mayonnaise Hair Treatment

Mayonnaise has natural oils and fats that help make your hair feel soft, smooth, and shiny.

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise

Directions:

• Spread the mayonnaise on damp hair, focusing on the dry ends.
• Put on a shower cap and leave it for about 30 minutes.
• Rinse well and then shampoo your hair.

Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel for hair is a great home remedy for split ends because it adds moisture and gives a soothing effect to your hair.

Ingredients:

• Fresh aloe vera gel or pure store-bought gel.

Directions:

• Spread the gel on your scalp and hair.
• After 30 minutes, rinse your hair and shampoo it.

Avocado Hair Mask

The natural fats, vitamins, and minerals present in avocado can help nourish dry hair and add moisture.

Ingredients:

• Ripe avocado-1
• Olive oil /coconut oil- 2 tablespoons
• Honey- 1 tablespoon (optional)

Directions:

• Mash the avocado well and mix it with the oil and honey if you want.
• Apply the mixture to slightly wet hair.
• After 30 minutes, rinse it off and shampoo your hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

ACV can help smooth the hair surface, giving your hair a natural shine. It may also help balance your scalp’s pH and keep it clean.

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar- 2 to 3 tablespoons
• Water- 1 cup

Directions:

• After shampooing your hair, pour the ACV and water mixture over your hair.
• Massage your scalp and run your fingers through the ends.
• After 2-5 minutes, rinse your hair well with cold water.

Takeaway

If you start noticing split ends forming in your hair, it’s best to begin split ends treatment at home right away so the problem doesn’t worsen. If ignored, these split ends can weaken your hair. Along with treatments for split ends, it is also important to follow a good hair care routine daily to prevent new split ends from appearing. With the right routine, you can keep split ends under control and maintain healthier, smoother hair.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Split Ends Treatment