SPLIT ENDS…..causes, removal, prevention and home remedies

• Split ends also known as trichoptlosis which are found at the bottom end of your cutting line

occur when the protective hair cuticle is damaged.

• Hair cuticle is the outermost part of the hair shaft which is the first line of defense against

all forms of damage.

• Cuticles are often damaged by excessive mechanical manipulation such as brushing, using

heat or chemicals.

• When hair is allowed to remain brittle, dry and under moisturized for extended periods of

time, the cuticle begins to crack and unravel, exposing the cortex of hair.

• This damaged hair shaft then split into multiple strands and can be up to an inch in length.

• As your damaged hair grows, the protective oils of your scalp may not be able to get to the ends of your hair.

• Once split ends start on your hair, they continue to split back up the hair towards the scalp.

• Some hair types are more vulnerable to split ends especially dry hair.

• If you think that hair is not growing fast, split ends can also be the one of the reason.

USE OF HEATING TOOLS:

• It is the number one cause for the split ends.

• It rapidly depletes moisture balance and affects the protein structure within the hair shaft.

• Frequent use of heating tools increases your chances of cuticle damage.

What is the minimum care that should be taken if you can’t style your hair without heating.

• Use ceramic or tourmaline heating tools. These tools provide even and controllable heat.

• Always be sure to use protectant or high temperature serum before any application of heat.

• Use heat on clean and freshly deep conditioned hair only.

• Blow drying should be kept to a minimum and maintain 8-12 inches away from the hair.

• Hooded dryer heat takes longer to dry hair but it is much safer and healthier than blow drying.

 

STYLING TOOLS:

• Apart from frequent usage of heat implements, poorly made styling tools can also cause our hair to become more susceptible for cuticle damage.

• Rubber bands, cotton headbands, metal clasps, serrated combs, sharp hair pins all put the hair in danger of splitting at all points along the shaft.

• If you use these hair styling tools on the same spot on your day in and day out, you are asking for cuticle damage in that area.

Then what should be used instead ??

• Use seamless and handmade combs.

• Use boar bristle or baby brush for combing instead of nylon hair brushes.

• Avoid rubber bands and holders made out of polyster type or cotton fabrics that absorb moisture from the hair.

• Instead use silk and satin holders.

HARSH SHAMPOOS:

• Shampoos that are too harsh will reduce the moisture content on your hair.

• Frequent usage of cuticle stripping shampoos may cause the hair to become more vulnerable to splitting over time.

• Always use gentle shampoos, preferably sulfate free.

• If hard water conditions or frequent swimming require you to use clarifying and chelating

shampoos regularly, make sure your protein and moisturizing regimen in on point to counteract

the cuticle wear and tear.

ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE FROM SUN, COLD, WIND & OTHER CLIMATE ISSUES:

• Sun is another moisture eliminating element.

• Its oxidative effects on hair can make splitting problems more badly.

• Photochemical damage is most likely to happen when your hair is kept damp (slightly wet) for longer periods of time.

• So avoid prolonged periods of sun time if your hair is damp.

• Be sure thoroughly dry the hair before heading out into the sun.

• Deep conditioning, moisturizing the hair is extremely important for protecting against damage from the elements if you live in an extreme climate.

RUBBING WITH TOWEL/CLOTHES:

• After shower many people are habited to rub their hair with towel for hair dry.

• This causes friction between your hair follicles and causing them to break.

• Squeeze the water out with your towel instead of rubbing your hair.

OVER SHAMPOOING/WASHING:

• Over washing of your hair also leads to split ends.

• Most of the people while shampooing they rub shampoo at the ends also.

• This may lead to split ends which occurs by rubbing your hair.

• Many people clump all of their hair into big pile on their top and begin to scrub.

• This unnatural bending and rubbing of hair also leads to split ends.

• Shampooing should be done on scalp only.

COLORING:

• The chemicals that are used in the coloring products also damages and degrades the hair cuticle.

• When the cuticle is broken down, weakend and compromised splitting of hair soon follows.

• So, more protein and moisturizing deep conditioning treatment should be done more regularly in order to protect hair against split ends.

OVER BRUSHING AND BACKCOMBING:

• It pulls up the scales of your hair and when you comb/brush that section again

the scales break off.

• Over brushing may lead to more splits than anything else.

SWIMMING:

• Chlorine weakens the hair by forming  sacs of dissolved protein which burst through the cuticle thereby leading to split ends and cracks.

• The salt that is left on hair from the chlorinated water dries into hard crystals also degrades cuticle.

HAIR SHEARS OR SCISSORS:

• One other often overlooked cause of split ends is your pair of sheers.

• Trimming your hair with regular pair of scissors will damage your freshly cut ends.

• You want to find shears that are made specifically for trimming the hair as these tend to be

sharper than other types of scissors. 

COMBING/BRUSHING ON WET HAIR:

• Your hair is most likely to break or split when it is wet.

• So avoid brushing on wet hair.

• But unfortunately brushing is inevitable, so use wide toothed comb.

TIGHT PONYTAIL:

EXCESSIVE TANGLING OF HAIR:

NO REGULAR TRIMMING:

The best way to identify split ends is simply inspecting the hair shaft.

• Most split occurs along the lower ½ to 1/3 of the hair shaft.

When split ends are present, the hair:

• Doesn’t move well.

• Shows clear areas of dullness or thinness.

• Varies in length throughout the head.

• Increase in overall hair breakage.

• Doesn’t hold a curl or straighten well with heat.

• While there are number of products which claim to cure split ends.

• All they really do is “hide them”.

• The product temporarily seals the split end of the hair.

• This can make hair look neater and healthier for a short while it may cause more damage

over time.

•  This can be used as a temporary solution if you want to grow your hair a little longer before trimming but should not be used as a solution for split ends.

• The only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off.

• It is better to get trimmed in saloon.

• Anyways here is also procedure how to remove on your own.

To remove split ends use one of the following methods:

• Take small sections of hair and twist them carefully in a downward motion. Any split ends will stick out. Cut off split ends with sharp scissors.

• Take small sections of hair and hold between three fingers, with the hair section over the middle one and below the side ones. Split ends will stick out. Cut them off with sharp scissors.

• You must cut about 1/4 of an inch above the top of the split.

• You may notice a little ball or dot near the split and if you do not cut above this dot then the damage will not have been removed and the split end will only return.

• Never trim the hair at an angle. Trimming at slant increases the chances of re-splitting.

• Deep condition your hair every week with any oil of your own choice.

• Trim regularly.

• Use alcohol free shampoos.

• Wash your hair after excess sweating. Salt from sweating will erode your hair.

• Do not use metal combs and do not use brushes that are missing a tooth.

• Avoid excess heat and brushing .

• Protect your hair from sun which will dry out your hair.

• When shampooing wash your scalp only and condition ends.

Honey, egg yolk and olive oil:

• Mix a tablespoon of honey with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

• Massage on hair in small sections.

• Cover your hair with a shower cap to lock the moisture.

• Leave it for 30 minutes and wash with a wild shampoo.

Oil massage:

•  Oiling restores hair moisture.

•  Massaging your scalp with coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil or a combination of these three is very good for your hair.

•  It’s best to leave it overnight

•  If in a hurry, at least keep it for an hour and then wash with a mild shampoo.

Papaya mask: 

• Papaya is rich in proteins which your hair needs in order to maintain its shine,

 moisture and growth.

•  Mash two medium slices of papaya.

• Mix two tablespoons yogurt in it, and apply to your scalp and hair.

• Cover your hair with a shower cap to lock the moisture.

• Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash with shampoo.