2024-10-12｜Lena

Split ends cause hair to become frizzy and tangled. Many people attempt at-home trims, but DIY snips or splitting Y-shaped ends often worsen the issue. This article explores the causes of split ends and provides six tips to prevent them. It also recommends at-home hair care products to combat split ends effectively.

Catalogue

I. What are split ends?

II. 3 types of split ends

III. Causes of split ends and frizz

IV. Conditions that worsen split ends

V. Can split ends be saved? 6 prevention tips

VI. Recommended hair products for split end care

External forces, frequent bleaching, and perming can damage hair cuticles, leading to split ends, especially as a sign of dehydration. As splits worsen, the hair's color may fade, emphasizing damaged areas. Without proper care, cuticle damage can progress, causing protein and moisture loss, which makes hair prone to tangling, frizz, and thinning. The weakened ends lose elasticity and eventually break, making it harder for women to grow their hair longer.

Split end type 1: Basic split

The most common type of split end, often shaped like a “Y,” also known as the forked type. This split is an early warning sign of hair damage, primarily caused by a lack of nutrients. To prevent further splitting, it’s recommended to use nourishing hair care products rich in proteins and moisture.

Split end type 2: Tree-like split

This type of split end is highly indicative of severe hair damage, with a branching appearance similar to tree limbs. This type shows that hair health is in critical condition, often caused by frequent bleaching, dyeing, or perming. To address this, it is recommended to regularly use deep conditioning hair masks at home and visit a salon for trims and intensive treatments.

Split end type 3: knot-like split

This type of split end is commonly seen in naturally curly hair and permed styles. It looks like a small knot in the hair, similar to a rope tie. When brushing this type, extra care is needed, as too much force can break the hair. In addition to salon trims, regular at-home care with deep conditioning treatments like hair masks and leave-in oils is recommended to keep strands moisturized and reduce further damage.

In daily life, hair is often exposed to physical damage (such as friction) and chemical damage (like hair dye and perming solutions). Initially, split ends may appear as small "Y" shapes. However, if these early warning signs are ignored and split ends aren’t trimmed at the salon, UV exposure can worsen dryness and promote further splitting, progressing into tree-like formations. Based on the article, “Can Hair Get Sunburned? UV Rays as a Cause of Brittle Hair!” here are seven common causes of split ends to avoid for beautiful, healthy hair.

1. Hair grows too long without regular trims.

2. Frequent exposure to strong UV rays.

3. Regular bleaching, dyeing, and perming without proper care.

4. Not using hair care products suited to your hair type.

5. Frequent use of heat-styling tools: flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers.

6. Insufficient body nutrients, lacking amino acids and proteins for hair health.

7. Being too rough with hair, using excessive force when towel-drying or brushing.

1. Trimming split ends haphazardly

Cutting split ends can feel soothing during dull work hours or stressful moments, but hairstylist Miyake recommends visiting a salon for a professional trim. Using dull scissors at home can further damage the cuticle layer, and improper pressure can create uneven hair. Miyake also adds, “I’m also concerned about clients accidentally cutting their hands at home.”

2. Tearing split ends

Tearing split ends by hand can be oddly satisfying, but it’s even more damaging than trimming them yourself. This habit worsens the damage by pulling the frayed ends further up the hair shaft, causing the weakened sections to extend. Over time, this makes fine hair even more prone to frizz and harder to manage.

1. Get regular haircuts

Visiting a salon for regular trims is one of the most effective ways to manage split ends. When early signs of splitting, like basic "Y" shape splits, are ignored, additional physical and chemical damage can worsen the condition. To maintain healthier ends, especially for those with longer hair, aim to trim every 6 to 12 weeks. This is particularly important for women with hair that extends past their shoulders.

2. Prioritize home hair care and regular salon treatments

Even if you haven’t dyed or permed your hair, a home care routine is essential. For more on this, check out "Why Do You Need Hair Care? Do You Still Need It Without Dyeing or Perming?" At home, use hair masks to nourish and restore, and apply hair oil for added moisture and shine, particularly before blow-drying to reduce heat damage. If you frequently dye or perm, make sure to schedule deep conditioning treatments at the salon regularly.

3. Increase protein intake for hair and body health

Hair consists of about 80% protein, so when the cuticle layer is damaged, protein loss can lead to dryness and brittleness. Directly applying protein-enriched hair treatments is an effective way to repair dry, damaged hair, and hair masks can help lock nutrients within the cuticle. Additionally, proper nutrition is vital for healthy hair and scalp from the inside out. Miyake suggests consuming foods rich in protein, vitamin C, iron, zinc, and B-complex vitamins to support hair health.

4. Gently pat hair dry, Avoid vigorous rubbing

When hair is wet, the cuticle layers are open and more vulnerable to damage. Rubbing hair roughly with a towel can worsen frizz and lead to more split ends. To avoid this, pat your hair gently with a towel to remove excess water, and be gentle when brushing or towel-drying your hair.

5. Reduce heat damage

Since hair is primarily composed of proteins, it’s especially sensitive to heat. High temperatures can denature these proteins, causing loss of elasticity and moisture, leaving hair fragile. To protect your hair, avoid focusing heat on one area while blow-drying, keep flat iron and curling iron temperatures moderate, and always apply a hair oil or heat protectant before using any hot tools. This extra step creates a barrier that helps shield hair from thermal damage.

6. Extend time between bleaching and perming

Frequent bleaching and perming can severely damage hair by continually opening the cuticles. To minimize harm, space these treatments at least three months apart to allow time for recovery. During this interval, prioritize at-home care to fortify your hair, making it more resilient for future styling.

Further Reading: Can You Perm Bleached Hair? for more details on maintaining hair health between chemical treatments.

The wide variety of hair care products on the market can make it difficult to choose the right one. For those struggling with split ends, this article <Hair Masks, Conditioners, and Oils Explained> introduces two key product categories: leave-in treatments, such as MEM Empower Hair Oil and Cinderella Shine Oil, and at-home deep-conditioning masks, including MEM Empower Hair Mask and Magical Jungle Hair Mask. If you’re uncertain which hair product suits your needs best, the article can provide useful insights.

Leave-in treatment recommendations

MEM Empower Hair Oil: Infused with dual amino acids that are both hydrophilic and lipophilic, this oil helps the hair retain moisture and oils, reducing frizz. It also contains antioxidants, making it suitable for heavily damaged, color-treated hair.

Cinderella Shine Hair Oil: Featuring four natural oils, including high-protein golden silk oil and popular argan oil, this hair oil is ideal for adding shine and smoothing frizz in dull or damaged hair.

At-home deep conditioning recommendations

MEM Empower Hair Mask: Encapsulates essential amino acids and proteins in platinum nano-complex capsules, which allows deeper penetration into hair fibers, repairing CMC channels, and strengthening hair to prevent breakage. It contains antioxidants and is ideal for severely damaged, bleached hair.

Magic Jungle Hair Mask: Contains six types of natural ingredients and hydrolyzed keratin, which can be used in small amounts as a leave-in conditioner or in larger quantities for deep repair. This mask is perfect for general damaged hair to reduce frizz.

Further Reading:

• Recommended Salon Hair Masks: Nourishing without Residue, Suitable for Wet & Dry Use

• Hair Oil Recommendation - Cinderella Shine Oil, loved by Perm Goddess Abby Chen!

• Does Bubble Dye Cover Gray Hair Cause Build-Up? Here’s What a Professional Stylist Says.

• Understanding Color Build-Up: A Guide to How Stylists Address This Issue (Part 2)

• Hair Fashion Pioneer Miyake Shares the Secret to Youthful Looks x Face-Slimming Bangs