Split ends are the main enemy of beautiful and healthy hair, fortunately it is possible to prevent and combat this problem with simple tips.
Everyone wants to have beautiful and healthy hair, right? And to achieve this, you need a lot of care with your hair. However, it is not always possible to avoid split ends, the main enemies of locks. This way, you look at the roots and the length of the hair, and both are beautiful and shiny, until you get to the ends and see the straw-like hair.
In addition to affecting the appearance of your hair, split ends make your hair more fragile and prone to hair loss. This is because split ends are a result of dry hair. Therefore, many people look for ways to solve the problem without having to resort to the dreaded cutting. The good news is that it is possible to prevent and treat split ends and have beautiful hair free from this problem.
Therefore, today we will better understand what split ends are, the main causes and what to do to solve this problem. Let’s go.
Double ends
Split ends, as the name suggests, characterize the hair strand that is broken and divided into two parts. To be clearer, we need to know the hair structure. The hair strands are wrapped in a film whose main function is to protect them. This film is what we call the hair cuticle.
However, due to dryness and daily aggressions, such as heat, sun, wind, pollution, chemicals, etc., the hair cuticle becomes weakened. Therefore, you end up losing the hydration and nutrients necessary to maintain your strength. So, in the absence of certain care to restore nutrition to the hair, it can end up breaking at the ends, opening the hair cuticle resulting in split ends.
In addition, there is the natural oil factor of the hair, which is produced in the scalp and runs along the length of the hair. Therefore, it is natural for the ends of the hair to be drier. This is even more intense in curly or frizzy hair, due to the spiral shape of the strands.
Causes of split ends
So, as we saw above, dryness and internal aggression are decisive for the appearance of split ends. However, other factors can aggravate the problem and increase the chances of having split ends, such as:
- Excessive use of hair dryers, straighteners and heat tools;
- Chemical hair procedures very frequently;
- Wear from the sun, chlorine and sea water;
- Lack of hydration;
- Comb your hair in any way, breaking the strands;
- Products that dry out the hair.
How to treat the problem of split ends
Many women cut their hair when they notice split ends. However, it is not always necessary to cut your locks to get rid of terrible split ends. Depending on the degree of damage to the hair, you can do this just with a hair care routine and the right products, which restore the health of the hair and eliminate split ends.
Hydration
Hydration is responsible for keeping hair nourished and strong, so it is essential to keep up to date care to avoid split ends. In this case, the ideal is to have a hair schedule, focused on the hair’s needs, be it hydrating, nourishing or rebuilding the hair fiber. By doing this, it is possible to give your hair everything it needs to stay strong and healthy, free from split ends. A great product tip to include in your hydration routine is liquid bepantol, which restructures and strengthens the hair.
Using a hairdryer and straightener
As the excessive use of heat tools is one of the aggravating factors in the appearance of split ends, it may be interesting to reduce their use. The ideal would be to use these tools as little as possible, however this is not always possible. Therefore, one option is to protect your hair before using a dryer or straightener. In this case, the thermal protector will protect the hair cuticle.
Solar protection
Another measure to take care of your hair is to use products with a sun protection factor. This way it is possible to mitigate the effect of the sun’s rays on the hair. Nowadays there is a huge range of hair products with protection factors, from creams to leave-ins. So, choose the one that best suits your hair type.
Finishers
In addition to all of this, it is also essential to use finishing products. This is because this type of product serves to seal the end cuticle, which helps combat split ends. A great option to use as a finisher are vegetable oils. Coconut oil, argan, among others, in addition to providing hydration and nutrition to the hair, help combat dryness, so it’s worth investing in these products.
Cut
Now, if in the last resort these precautions are not enough to get rid of split ends, the best solution is to cut. But don’t be afraid to cut the ends, even if you’re going for length. If this is the case, just cut off the damaged parts, an inch or two. And more than that, cutting your locks regularly, every three months, in addition to getting rid of split ends, promotes several benefits to your hair, improving hydration and even aiding growth.
Tips to avoid split ends
As prevention is always the best medicine, here’s how to prevent split ends from appearing:
- Avoid washing your hair with very hot water, to avoid drying out the strands;
- Whenever you use a hairdryer or straightener, apply thermal protector first;
- Try not to use heat tools at high power;
- Every three months trim the ends of your hair;
- Preserve your hair, respecting your limits regarding chemical procedures;
- Having a balanced diet rich in vitamins also contributes to the health of your hair.
By following all these tips and precautions, you will be less likely to develop split ends.
Anyway, what did you think of this article? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out Hair Schedule, what is it? When to do it, how to do it and recipes.
Sources: Hair Tips for Women
Images: Cachuda Beauty and Fashion Website Softhair G. Hair Extraordinary Beauty
