Preventing Split Ends Before They Form Just Got A Lot Easier

Anyone who has had some kind of hair breakage before knows the problems that come with split ends. While they happen to everyone, split ends can be a nuisance visually, and to deal with. However, since split ends are so common, there are plenty of proven ways in which you can prevent them from happening in the first place.

As straightforward as the definition of split ends is, there's much more to this annoying problem than you might guess. According to Hair Lust, split ends are the fraying and damage of the hair shaft. Additionally, there are multiple types of split ends you need to be aware of. These include the basic split, the tree pattern, and the knot. While they all may visually look similar, they have different meanings behind them. A basic split means that your hair is still in the early stages of damage. A tree pattern can mean that your hair already has significant damage. Lastly, a knot happens when your hair gets tangled, and can cause damage if you try to brush it out.

Regardless of which kind of split ends you may have, prevention is the best solution to these issues. Using tested methods to avoid split ends makes the whole process easier.

The best way to start preventing split ends is to avoid any type of chemical treatment. According to Luxy Hair, chemical treatments can weaken the hair strands and make it easier for split ends to form. Besides avoiding chemical treatments, you'll want to avoid frequently using heated tools as this can rid the hair of its moisture and make it prone to splitting. If you use hot tools, be sure to use heat protection to limit the impact they can have on your hair.

Even though it can be hard to limit chemical treatments or hot tools, there are even simpler tasks you can do every day that will help prevent split ends. Hair professional Katherine Tan recommends brushing your hair up to three times a day to make sure the natural oils of your hair spread throughout, giving all of your hair some much-needed nutrients. You can also opt for a silk pillowcase, which prevents knotted split ends as it helps stop your hair from getting tangled while you sleep. If you want to go above and beyond, add moisture and protein treatments or masks into your weekly hair routine. These treatments and masks help add nutrients to the hair that may have been stripped throughout the week.

Although it's possible to prevent most split ends, they can still occur despite your best efforts. Knowing how to treat split ends can help you get back on track to healthy hair.

The obvious solution to repairing split ends is cutting them off. While this doesn't seem ideal if you're trying to grow long, healthy hair, cutting off the broken ends actually allows your hair to grow. However, if trimming isn't possible, Birchbox recommends treating your hair to some TLC. For example, avoid using a towel after a shower when drying your hair. Use either a hair turban or let your hair dry naturally. Since your hair is the most vulnerable when wet, you want to avoid adding any extra stress to it that can cause split ends. When your hair is freshly wet from a shower, be sure to use a wide-tooth comb when brushing out your hair. These combs are less rough and can easily detangle your hair. When brushing out your hair, try brushing out your ends first so you can focus on any knots.

If you want to visually improve the look of split ends, Adore Beauty recommends using a split-end hair treatment. These treatments act as a bond in keeping the ends together, making them appear healthy. While it isn't a permanent solution, split-end hair treatments are an effective remedy if you find yourself without time for a trim.