When the ends of hair become brittle and dry, they can fray and resemble the end of an unraveled rope – commonly referred to as “split ends”. Split ends are caused by a variety of factors, including heat styling and chemical hair products. And since blow drying, curling, straightening, and hair product use is so common, so are split ends.
Who Gets Split Ends?
Anyone can get split ends. However, those of African descent may be more susceptible because Afro-textured hair is more fragile, more likely to break, and more likely to develop knots. Menopausal women may also be more prone to split ends; as estrogen levels drop, natural oil production in the scalp decreases, making hair dryer and more prone to breakage.
Concealing Split Ends
Many products promise to repair split ends, and yet the only reliable way to get rid of them is by cutting them off. Sure, hair masks and conditioning treatments may conceal slit ends and improve hair’s overall appearance, but they won’t repair the damage. To conceal split ends between haircuts, choose nourishing ingredients like:
- Argan oil – Derived from the kernels of argan trees, this deep moisturize adds shine to dry, brittle hair. Rub several drops into dry or damp hair and comb through.
- Sweet almond oil – Extracted from almonds, this sweet smelling oil hydrates without weighing hair down. Use it as a leave-in conditioner or rub a small amount into damp hair.
- Panthenol – A common ingredient in conditioners and hair masks, panthenol is a byproduct of vitamin B-5. It strengthens hair, helping it to retain moisture, while improving the texture and look of dry, damaged hair.
Split Ends Prevention
While it’s difficult to completely prevent split ends, there are steps you can take to reduce severity and frequency.
- Get regular trims, preferably every 6 to 8 weeks.
- Don’t wash your hair daily; 3 to 4 times a week is plenty for most people.
- When washing, use an all-natural shampoo free of harsh ingredients.
- Apply a conditioner after each shampoo.
- Use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush to gently detangle wet hair.
- Limit coloring and chemical straightening.
- Skip heat styling as often as you can and use a heat protective spray when you can’t.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of foods that contain hair-strengthening vitamins and minerals like folic acid and biotin.
- Avoid hair styles that twist, pull, or tug on hair, like braids and ponytails.
If you or someone you know has more serious hair issues to deal with, like premature balding, todays’ a great day to contact DiStefano Hair Restoration Center. We’ll assess the condition of your hair, present you with options, and answer all your questions. Best of all, we can restore the hair you lost to help you regain the natural looking and feeling you remember so fondly.