The heat from styling tools, hair dyes, sun exposure and hair treatments such as perms are just a few of the things that can damage hair. They all harm the protective outer layer of hair, called cuticle, which over months, sometimes years, of this abuse, might become seriously worn down or even be completely stripped away. That’s when split ends occur. Unfortunately, once the damage is done, there’s nothing you can do to repair it. What you can do, instead, is improve the appearance of hair and prevent split ends from occurring again in the future. Here’s how:
How to prevent split ends
To prevent split ends, you just have to reduce the amount of damage done to your hair. Try to limit the use of your styling tools to special occasions only and, whenever you can, let your hair air dry. If you really have to use flat irons, a blow dryer and other styling tools, then use the lowest possible setting. Also, don’t hold the blowdryer too close to your hair. To prevent sun damage to your locks, always wear a hat, or even a scarf, whenever you go out in the sun. In addition, dying hair, getting perms and other harsh treatments should be done as infrequently as possible.
How to treat split ends
But what can you do when the damage has already been done? Well, since you can’t repair split ends, the best thing to do would simply be to cut them off. It is also a good idea to have your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks. This will remove new split ends, keep your hair healthy and looking beautiful. In the meantime, if you need a quick fix to hide split ends, you can apply a leave-in conditioner with silicones on your locks. The silicones will temporarily seal split ends together so, although they are still there, they won’t be noticeable.
Do you have split ends? How do you deal with them?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
The ends of my hair that are most vulnerable are those that are both coloured and highlighted. I use heavy conditioning treatments and minimize the application of heat to avoid split ends.
Jamilla´s last [type] ..FOTD – Waterproof Beach Makeup – Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 100 Tanned Tint – Face and Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine SPF15 Plumberry 11
Jamilla, those are very good habits, especially for colored hair!
I didn’t listen to my hairdresser and didn’t go regularly to get my ends trimmed (‘But I have long hair! And I want it longer! I need that inch! Need it’)…
Cue to me a few years later: crying while combing – scratch that – trying to comb my hair and imagining those scenes from action movies in the jungle, when the female lead turns tough, takes a machete and chop of her hair (ending with an amazing ‘do, of course
).
I cut my hair short and got into habit of going every 2 months to get my hair done, and I’ll keep that habit now that I’m growing my hair out again.
(My pet peeve is seeing girls and guys in the bus with long, long locks… that are but a strand of hair by the time they reach their waist, and they’re extremely frayed from ears down. I want to tell them: ‘Nooo! That’s not what long hair is about!’ :drama-llama: )
Ana, lol. But I’m sorry you had to learn that the hard way, how awful! Getting a trim when you’re trying to grow your hair sounds counterproductive but it’s so necessary. It may make hair take longer to grow, but it also ensures its stay healthy and beautiful. After all, there’s no point in having long hair if it’s gonna be damaged and ugly..
Thanks for the tips Gio! I’ve always wondered how those products that are supposed to disguise split ends work, and now I know
Makeup Morsels´s last [type] ..Tasty TGIF Tidbits: Dressed-Up Potato Latkes
Makeup Morsels, you’re welcome.