Skip The Salon And Learn How To Cut Your Split Ends At Home

Having a bad hair day is bad enough, but there's nothing worse than having constant split ends. All Things Hair explains that split ends, which are very common, are simply the ragged ends of the hair that have started to pull apart into multiple directions. This is caused by dryness or damage to the hair. One can suffer from several types of split ends that are caused by a variety of factors. Regardless of which type of split ends you have, they aren't something you look forward to seeing. 

Typically when you have split ends, the first response is to head to the salon for a quick trim; the only sure way to get rid of them is to cut them off. However, this isn't always the most practical option. Whether it's due to the cost or lack of time, not everyone will have the opportunity to get a haircut when their split ends start showing up. Thankfully, split ends are one hair issue you can take into your own hands. Cutting your split ends can help save time and money to keep your hair healthy and looking its best.

Thankfully for those looking to save their precious time (and a few bucks), cutting split ends at home is fairly simple. Hairstyle Camp recommends using a pair of sharp scissors or hair shears to cut your split ends. Dull scissors will only put you at risk of damaging the hair further and causing more split ends. As well, you want to wait until your hair is completely dry before cutting. This will make it easier to see where the split ends actually are so you don't accidentally cut healthy hair. When cutting, ensure that you are doing so section by section with very small sections of hair. Cutting in large sections causes uneven cutting and can lead to wonky edges.

For the cutting process, Dove recommends using one of two methods. If you're chopping off a more significant amount, the easiest way is by combing your hair until you reach the ends and cutting the ends horizontally. Otherwise, you can try cutting upwards and vertically into the hair. This method ensures that you target the split ends and don't just cut off the length of your hair. 

While it's nice to have options when dealing with split ends, the best option is to avoid them altogether. Since split ends are caused by damaged or dry hair, you should work on your hair's health if you want to prevent split ends from forming. Better Not Younger recommends never brushing your hair while it's still wet. Brushing wet hair can damage your hair shaft and leave your strands more vulnerable to split ends. Use either your fingers or a wide-toothed comb for a more gentle approach to brushing. To prevent dry hair, occasionally add a hair mask to reintroduce moisture or to lock hydration into the hair. You don't need to overdo it with the hair mask, as using it a few times a week is enough to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.

Vegamour adds that to avoid both damage and dryness, you should prioritize defending your hair against heat. Whether it's from the sun's UV rays or heated tools, always use a heat protectant to act as a barrier. With that same concept in mind, you should minimize the number of chemical treatments you put your hair through. Too many chemicals will only dry out and damage the hair shaft, making the hair more likely to fray into split ends. If you frequently get chemical treatments, try to space them out as much as possible to give your hair a break.