How to Get Rid of Split Ends

There’s nothing like the confidence a good hair day brings. Suddenly, you’re hoping there’s a nearby photo opportunity because you’re beaming about those flowing locks. But what if it’s been a while since your hair was serving its own looks? Then it’s time to give those strands a good inspection to see if you have split ends. While it’s not the end of the world, once the hair starts to split, it’s time to make some critical changes to your hair routine, and we’re here to tell you how and why.

What Are Split Ends and What Causes Them?

Most people are familiar with split ends through their own experiences. If you have them, you can quickly grab a chunk of hair and see the tiny forks and frays that have developed at the end or along the hair shaft. There are several reasons this can happen:

• Chemical processes – Including hair dye, bleach, perms, and relaxers. Any process that penetrates the hair’s protective cuticle causes dryness that leads to splitting without proper care.
• Heat styling – Excessive, unprotected styling is also very drying and potentially damaging. 
• Excessive brushing and rough handling – This can be especially destructive for hair types more prone to splitting.
• Lifestyle factors – Examples include sun exposure or swimming in pools or the ocean.

Having rough, frayed strands makes hair look frizzy and is less manageable than healthy hair. Why is this a bad thing? Other than the obvious aesthetic reason, having split ends means having weak hair, which leads to breakage and a terrible cycle of never having good hair days ahead.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of split ends, the answer you’ll mostly find is to cut them off and start over. But getting a big chop comes with lots of personal feelings, and it’s not always a viable option for everyone. For those that want to preserve length, you can take action immediately to prevent split ends from getting worse and improve the overall look of damaged hair. Eventually, you’ll be able to cut those ends off and have all the tools needed to prevent split ends from happening again.

5 Steps to Manage Split Ends

Step One – The first step to hair recovery is to go easy on those tresses! Unruly ends can keep splitting and breaking up the hair shaft, so your hair care should involve fortifying the whole head and not just the ends. And now it’s time to reassess your use of chemical treatments, heat tools, and aggressive styling to give hair time to recover.

Step Two – Get products formulated to rehabilitate damaged hair and improve the look of split ends by smoothing and deeply conditioning each strand.

For serious repair, get Olaplex’s No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and their No.5 Conditioner. Hairstylists swear by Olaplex when providing chemical treatments to their clients, and for good reasons. Besides being a top brand in professional hair care, Olaplex focuses on making hair-nourishing products that are eco-friendly and free of potentially harmful and allergenic ingredients.

And have you heard of Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate? It’s okay; there’s no test after this blog. This scientific mouthful is Olaplex’s patented ingredient that repairs the bonds that hold a strand of hair together. All hair types, virgin or processed, can achieve stronger, smoother, and healthier hair with this incredible technology.

For a shampoo that specifically targets over-processed, chemically damaged hair, get Davines NOUNOU Nourishing Shampoo. This shampoo provides deep moisture while it cleanses, and we know that moisturized hair equals healthy hair. It also contains the unique Fiaschetto tomato extract that’s loaded with protective antioxidants that nourish hair and prevent further damage to split ends and otherwise. Davines is also a certified B Corporation, meaning your purchase will make a positive difference to your hair and to the environment.

Step Three – Protect your hair from heat and the elements. It’s unrealistic to ask someone to not ever use heat styling tools or to never bathe in the sun, but it’s reasonable to incorporate the best hair treatments and creams designed to prevent further damage.

Moroccanoil Treatment is a multi-tasking favorite. Powered by rare, nutrient-dense argan oil, this silky formula can be used by itself on wet or dry hair or added to other products to boost it with hydration, protective qualities, and mega shine. Use it on damp hair for heat protection, or use it on dry hair as an effective way to conceal and tame frayed ends.  

Perhaps you’d like the reparative qualities of silk proteins, which have a similar structure to the amino acids that make up hair. That’s what BioSilk is known for, and their ever-popular Biosilk Silk Therapy Treatment was made with preventing split ends in mind. Work the desired amount of this product evenly through damp hair to offer support during heat styling. Or use it in dry hair for unmatched shine. And if you accidentally pour too much, Silk Therapy is also luscious and safe to use on the skin.

For a vegan protein alternative, turn to Surface Trinity Protein Cream for the hair-strengthening power of amaranth, babassu seed, flax seed, and sunflower extract. This wet/dry cream is packed with other plant extracts (like nettle and chamomile extracts) and vitamins that protect hair from heat and oxidative stress. You can’t go wrong with any of these choices, so the decision may come down to the details.

Step Four – The day will eventually come when you have to trim off those ends. But you can do so slowly when following your new haircare routine. Regular trims will ultimately get rid of all those split ends, and you can do so while still rocking a beautiful mane.

Step Five – Prevention is key, so don’t let that hard work go to waste! Keep up with using quality products to prevent dryness and subsequent damage. And maintain hair health from the inside by eating a nourishing, nutrient-rich diet that supplies hair with everything it needs for consistent, vibrant growth. Lastly, switch to a silk pillowcase that will reduce friction on your hair. It’s a pretty luxurious way to treat yourself.

If you enjoyed reading about how to get rid of split ends, you could treat yourself right now by heading to our Beauty Resource Center. There you can explore your favorite topics and be ready for more than just a good hair day photo op.