How To Care For Split Ends?

If your hair is dry and damaged, you may have split ends. Those flyaway pieces that occur at the ends of your hair keep your style from looking perfect and can get worse over time if you don't take proper care. While you can't mend a split end once it occurs, you can treat your split ends so they look as good as possible and you can take steps to prevent more split ends from forming in the future.


Here's how:

• Get your hair trimmed regularly so split ends can be cut off.
• Understand if you don't remove the split ends you have, the damage will continue to work its way from the ends of you hair on up, causing further breakage that can't be repaired.
• Minimize your use of styling products, which can build up and cause further problems.
• Stay away from vent brushes with plastic bristles. Use only all-natural bristles on dry hair, or a wide-toothed comb on wet hair. This will help prevent more damage. 
• Shampoo less frequently to keep hair from becoming drier. 
• If you must do something with your hair on the days you don't wash, try just conditioning your hair. 
• Opt for a deep conditioner regularly. How often you use it and what type depends on the condition and needs of your hair. 
• Use a treatment product that says it will treat split ends. Even though it can't reverse the damage, it can improve the look of your hair. 
• Understand that longer hair is more prone to splitting because the hair has been around longer and has experienced more damage. Therefore, if you suffer from severe split ends, consider trying a shorter style. 
• Minimize exposure to sun, chlorine and heat, as all of these factors can damage your hair. 
• Steer clear of coloring or perming your hair if it is in especially bad condition. These processes will only make it worse. 
• If you must blow-dry or curl your hair, select a low setting and use as little heat as possible for the results you seek. Also hold the blow-dryer a little further from your head than usual so the heat will be more diffused. 
• Whenever possible, let your hair go natural, since with frequent trims and gentle care, your hair will look its best. Use a leave-in conditioning treatment for extra protection for your hair. 

Caution: Ask your stylist never to use a razor to shape your hair, which could cause further split ends. 

Quick Tips: Avoid using elastic bands or metal clips in your hair, which could break strands. Instead, use fabric-covered bands, which will be more gentle. Use hair products containing sunscreen to help protect your hair.