ULTIMATE Split-Ends Guide; Types, Causes, and BEST Treatments
Split ends are one of the most frustrating side effects of growing your hair.
No matter how well you condition your locks, split ends are inevitable, caused by heat tools, brushing, coloring, and…living your life!
Split ends affect any hair type; untreated, split ends will make your hair look dry, frayed, and unhealthy.
But, while there’s no one magic cure to dead ends, there are several things you can do to prevent and effectively treat split ends.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Split-Ends Causes & Treatments – A Complete Guide
What Causes Split Ends?
“Hair split ends are caused by a several internal and external factors, with external ones found in over 93% of the investigated cases,”
explains Dr. Ken Anderson, a hair expert and IAHRS member from Atlanta, Georgia.
The most common (external) factors known to cause split ends are:
1. Mechanical Hair Damage
Mechanical hair damage is caused by excessive brushing, drying the hair excessively, or by rubbing the hair against clothes and rough fabrics.
2. Coloring, Bleaching & Chemical Treatments
Another external cause of split ends is the application of chemical treatments. In particular, bleaching, coloring, perms, and relaxers – especially when not done properly.
3. Heat
The extensive use of blow dryers and straighteners at high temperatures cause hair damage and split ends.
There are many more external factors causing hair splits by damaging the cuticle on the hair shaft, but the above three counts for three-thirds of the causes.
And, the more hair cuticle layers are damaged, the weaker and frayed the hair becomes.
8 Best Ways To Prevent Split Ends
1. Towel Dry The Proper Way
Hair strands are most vulnerable during the drying process.
The way you dry your hair will make a massive difference in the number of split ends you’ll cause and have to deal with.
While tempting – particularly when in a rush to work – never rub your hair dry with a towel.
You’ll only promote breakage and upward splits.
Instead, use a highly absorbent towel to apply pressure and gently squeeze the excess water out of the hair.
Some of the most recommended quick-drying hair towels by experts are:
TURBIE TWIST
Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap
$24.97
YOULERTEX
Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap
$7.96
2. Use Correct Blow-drying Techniques
If you’re blasting your sopping wet hair with a hairdryer, stop right now.
First, always towel dry your hair – as much as possible – before using the dryer.
“Towel drying to 90% is ideal, as the longer you expose your hair to heat, the more damage will occur,’
explains Dr. Bruno Ferreira, one of the industry’s up-and-coming heavyweights.
Also, avoid blow-drying on the hair ends or placing heat directly onto the ends of the hair to prevent unnecessary damage.
Focus on the roots and mid-lengths, keep the nozzle moving for an even distribution of heat, and, when possible, dry with cold air.
Invest in a quality heat protectant, recommends Dr. Ferreira.
Moreover, using a suitable hair dryer makes a massive difference.
For example, the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is designed to help protect hair from heat damage thanks to its digital motor and air multiplier technology.
The dryer’s innovative design speeds up the drying process while increasing shine and preventing frizz.
3. Apply Optimum Straightener Temperature
We all whack our hair straighteners (or tongs) up to the highest setting when in a hurry or if the hair feels thick and out of control.
But putting your hair tools on full power won’t straighten your hair any faster or better.
“There is this idea that the hotter the tool, the better and longer lasting the blow-dry or curl. However, hair reaches optimum mouldability at 180 degrees; anything higher is only overheating and damaging,”
explains Dr. Anderson.
High temperatures are also zapping your hair of keratin, the critical creator of shine, strength, softness, and manageability.
Healthy hair contains lots of keratin, which is destroyed at over 200 degrees.
So to avoid de-keratinizing your hair, never heat your hair tools over 180 degrees.
Two of the best heat-protective hair straighteners recommended by hairstylists are:
4. Hairbrush The Correct Way
While more flexible, the hair is much more prone to wet damage.
Avoid trusty paddle brush, or you’ll do more harm than good.
Use a wide-tooth comb and start at the bottom of your hair, working your way up.
Otherwise, you’re just creating and dragging hair knots.
If curly and dense, there’s no harm in splitting your hair into sections to brush it.
MANTA HAIR
Fully Flexible Hair Brush
from $30
WET BRUSH
Hair Brush Shower Detangler$12 $6.99
WET BRUSH
Brush Snag-Free Detangler
from $9.00
5. Change Your Shampoo & Conditioner
No magic shampoos or conditioners can get rid of your split ends.
Yet, shampoos and conditioners packed with essential moisturizing ingredients can help disguise split ends.
Moreover, good shampoos and conditioners strengthen and protect hair strands against external factors such as mechanical damage or chemical coloring.
MON SHAMPOOING
Natural Shampoo With Vegetable Keratin
from $28
6. Book A Keratin Treatment
Keratin treatments are worth every penny, especially if you suffer from fuzzy, parched split ends.
Keratin treatments harness a hefty dose of essential hair proteins (particularly keratin).
When blow-dried into the hair, keratin smooths and reinforces the fragile strands prone to fraying.
Simply put, keratin acts as a poly filler. It will cover missing spots and pack out the hair shaft when applied.
Once evenly applied, the keratin is locked in with heat and will last for a few months.
When done properly, keratin treatments lend a mirror-like shine and cut styling time in half.
7. Keep Up With Your Vitamins
Once occurred, split ends can’t be repaired but only made to look less noticeable.
Ideally, you avoid all external factors to prevent hair splits.
Yet, if you do that and still have split ends, you might want to look at internal factors, such as an incomplete diet or the lack of crucial vitamins and minerals.
The following products below are highly recommended by hair experts, known to provide your body and hair with all essentials required for healthy hair growth:
VIVISCAL
Women’s Hair Growth Supplements$35 $29.95
SUGARBEARHAIR
Vegan Gummy Hair Vitamins$33 $26.75
8. Use A Silk Pillowcase Or A Hair Wrap
Having fantastic hair requires an equally savvy and obsessive care approach.
Most hairstylists recommend going the extra mile if you want hair that attracts compliments wherever you go.
Yes, a silk pillowcase won’t cure your existing split ends.
But, as a preventative measure, nothing beats a silk pillowcase or silk hair wrap while you sleep.
FISHERS FINERY
100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
from $52.99
Now, assuming you did not know how to avoid split ends and already have them, let’s find out exactly what type of split ends you have to know how to tackle best.
Top 6 Hair Split End Types
During a lifetime, most women spend around three years brushing, washing, coloring, blow-drying, flat ironing, and curling their hair.
All these so-called external factors and the constant, natural weathering are causing a wide range of split ends:
“There are a few main types of split ends and infinite combinations,”
explains Dr. Anderson.
That’s why the saying that ‘each split-end has a story to tell’ rings so true.
Without further ado, these are the six most common split-end types:
1. The Candle Split
The earliest and the hardest to spot hair split of all, the CANDLE is the loss of the outer cuticle on the hair strands.
At this early stage, hair-splitting has not started yet.
“The candle hair split is a clear indication that hair splitting will follow soon,”
continues Dr. Anderson.
How To Fix Candle Split Ends
The fastest way to fix the candle split is to get a hair trim, but that won’t fix the cause of the problem.
To prevent candle splits from happening again, you’ll need a weekly hair treatment with nourishing essential oils as a form of pre-damage control.
The most recommended nourishing oil split-end treatments at this stage are:
HIMALAYA
Anti-Breakage Hair Oil
from $5.99
2. The Mini Split
As the name suggests, the MINI split is the earliest and most common type of hair split end.
This type of hair damage occurs in the early stages of the split, and if spotted in time, it can be easily rectified.
“At this stage, the cortical cells of the hair strand are still nicely held together; however, the ends of the hair strands are beginning to separate,”
explains Dr. Ferreira.
How To Fix Mini Split Ends
The MINI split is a clear indication that your hair strands need nourishment.
The damage has started to occur, so it is time to act fast and rectify it.
The best approach at this stage is to use a hair treatment that heals your mini-split ends.
The most recommended products at this stage are:
3. The Basic Split
A more extended version of the mini-split above, the BASIC hair split, is also an example of early hair damage and further split development.
The BASIC split shows that your hair ends are increasingly thirstier for nourishment but not beyond repair.
“You’ll have to seal and heal those hair ends as soon as possible,”
explains Dr. Christian Bisanga, a hair expert with a Doctor of Medicine degree in Surgery and Obstetrics from Belgium.
How To Fix Basic Split Ends
At this state, hydration is the key.
For example, coconut oil can be highly beneficial in treating dry ends.
The best coconut oil split-end treatment at the BASIC stage is:
4. The Forked Split
The FORKED split end is slightly less common when compared to the mini and the basic split.
Forked splits occur when the cortical cells start to separate, creating 3 split ends that look like a hayfork.
“The increased number of splits shows that there’s sustained damage to the hair fiber,”
explains Dr. Scott Boden, a board-certified hair transplant surgeon from Connecticut, US.
Dealing with significant splitting and potentially widespread hair damage becomes increasingly complex at this stage.
How To Fix Forked Split Ends
You’ll have to use deep conditioning mask treatments and oral treatments of hair-nourishing vitamins and minerals.
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm is a game-changer.
Combine deep conditioning treatment with hair vitamins like Sugar Bear Hair for optimal effect.
L’OREAL PARIS
Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm
from $11.99
5. The Tree Split
As the name suggests, the TREE hair split looks like a tree branch.
“The tree split is caused when sections of cortical cells are beginning to separate on one side of the hair strand more than the other,”
explains Dr. Anderson.
How To Fix Tree Split Ends
Once the hair split has occurred, there’s not much you can do, treatment-wise.
First and foremost, you’ll need a haircut to get rid of the damaged hair ends.
Then, purchase and use hair products designed to protect from excessive weathering.
Dr. Anderson recommends formulas that contain the ingredient OFPMA.
OFPMA is short for octa-fluoro pentyl methacrylate, an ingredient that creates a weightless, invisible shield that repels dirt and oil to keep hair healthier and cleaner for much longer.
Research shows that OFPMA solves, instead of masking – hair issues, such as frizz and accumulation of dirt and oil.
6. Hair Knot
KNOTS are not a hair split type; nevertheless, if untreated, they will lead to all sorts of hair splits.
The single strand knots are most common in curly hair types, where the curl tangles and causes a knot.
“As you brush your hair, the knot will cause the hair to break at that spot,”
explains Dr. Ferreira.
How To Fix Hair Knots
This is pretty simple; if you have curly hair, you’ll have to pay extra attention when you brush it to avoid breakage.
To make your life easier, Dr. Ferreira recommends these products with excellent results:
23 Best Split-End Treatments In 2023
It is essential to understand that no hair treatment can reverse split ends – not yet – but rather improve their appearance.
“Split-end repair products on the market are designed to fix the appearance of split ends,“
explains Amy Schiappa, a Pro hairstylist from New York.
“Once the strand has split and separated at the end, no treatment in the world can bring it back together, at least not permanently,”
continues Amy.
However, there are specific split-end treatments and ingredients specialists use with excellent results in improving one’s hair appearance.
From intensely hydrating oils like coconut and avocado to fish oil treatments and tried-and-true hairdos that keep moisture in and prevent breakage, in this section, you’ll find the best split-end treatment without stepping foot in a salon.
I’ve split this section into types of treatments to make it easier to follow and digest.
Each type of split-end treatment category comes with the best products recommended by hair experts.
- Hair Oil Treatments
- Leave-in Conditioners & Serums
- Anti-frizz Protection & Curl Treatments
- Moisturizing Hair Masks
- Color Damage Repair & Protection
- Split End Shampoo Treatments
- Collagen Booster & Protection
- Coating & Heat Protection
- Sun Protection & After-sun Treatment
Without further ado, these are the best 23 split-end treatments and products recommended by stylists and hair experts right now:
Hair Oil Split End Treatments
Never underestimate the power of rubbing a natural oil onto your frayed ends.
Rubbing natural oil onto your hair shaft has the added benefit of nourishing damaged strands with vital amino acids while minimizing the appearance of split ends.
In this section, you’ll find six types of hair oils split into two categories.
Oils that hydrate and oils you can use to perform a cosmetic-level repair:
a. Hydrating treatments refer to oils you must leave in your hair for 30-40 minutes and wash off after.
b. Reparatory treatments refer to oils you apply to your hair for a visual benefit. Once applied, you’re good to go.
However, there’s a caveat here for both oil categories.
Be mindful of how much oil you’re applying.
It is an oil, so begin with a small amount of product and work your way up as needed.
1/23
Coconut Oil Treatment For Strong Hair
Pure Coconut Oil
from 2.49
I am sure this isn’t the first time you’ve heard of the beauty benefits of coconut oil (and it likely won’t be the last).
Coconut oil is excellent for skincare, nails, and even cleaning makeup brushes.
Similarly, when it comes to hair, there’s no difference as coconut oil is used to treat various hair issues such as dandruff, stubborn hair, and split ends.
To get the best results from your coconut oil hair treatment, take a tea scoop and work it into your hair.
Start at the ends, and go up to the mid-shaft. Next, clip your hair up and wrap it in a towel or silk wrap for about 30 minutes.
Hop back in the shower, rinse, and shampoo your hair. For best results, repeat once every two weeks.
2/23
Oil Combo For Healthy Hair Follicles
Almond & Argan Oil
from $4.54
In their purest forms, almond and argan oils are incredibly hydrating and good at fixing split ends.
These oils are also included – the active ingredients – in most popular hair products, including split-end treatments.
The applying approach here is similar to the one for coconut oil described above.
Great oils to keep your hair moisturized and prevent split ends, and even treat early signs of damaged hair.
3/23
Everyday Oil Split End Treatment
Hair Oil Blend
from $4.99
Most hair experts say that daily hydrating hair oils are some of the best products to prevent split ends.
That’s because these oil extracts and blends provide (and maintain) the hair’s natural glossiness while conferring fantastic smoothing on split ends.
“Silicone-free and non-greasy, these are best to combats frizz and split ends. Above all, the smells is divine,”
says Amy, insisting that those with curly hair are at risk of becoming obsessed with these blended hair oils.
4/23
Deep Split End Treatment Session
Jojoba Oil
from 5.99
I’ve been using jojoba oils as a hair cure-all for years and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Pure jojoba oils are great for smoothing flyaways and provide that much-needed extra dose of moisture for those with heavy-colored hairs.
Moreover, I found jojoba oils to have an incremental hair-strengthening property, ideal for preventing sun and salty water breakage – I live by the ocean, you see.
5/23
Heavy Split Ends Oil Treatment
Castor Oil
from 2.00
Here we are, at the heavyweight of hair oils.
Made from pure, organic Jamaican black castor seeds, castor oils are ideal for mending heavy split ends and can even be used as heat protectants.
I always use castor oil to massage my hair before blow-drying or flat-ironing my hair.
6/23
Last Resort Split Ends Fix
Fish Oil
from $16
While I do not use fish oil that much, this is a must-have emergency split-end treatment in your house.
Fish oils aren’t the number one choice for topical hair treatments because, frankly put, there are better-smelling alternatives out there.
However, fish oil is key to hair growth and repair and is ideal for those suffering from super soft hair.
Fish oils must be applied with great care and rich in fatty acids that support stronger strands and stimulate blood circulation.
To start, combine two fish oil capsules with one tablespoon of coconut oil and one teaspoon of lavender in a small saucepan.
Then, heat the mixture on low for five minutes and pour it into a large bowl.
Let it air for a minute, then dip the split ends of your hair in the bowl. Slowly, work the mixture upwards, avoiding the roots.
Once your hair is well covered, wrap it up and cover it with a plastic cape that you can wash and reuse once you’re done.
Let your hair soak in all the good nutrients for about 40 minutes before washing it out.
While smelly, the fish oil’s natural omega-3 and -6 oils will quickly remedy all your split-end miseries.
NOTE: I do the fish oil treatment for split ends once a month, preventively. I also combine the external treatment with an oral intake of folic acid, quinoa protein, and flaxseed oil to increase omega-3 absorption.
Leave-in Conditioners & Serums
Hair conditioners and serums are styling products designed to coat the hair’s surface and increase shine, smoothness, and hydration.
silicone in the past, the latest hair serums and conditioners contain vegan and eco-friendly ingredients, so they are great for both hair and the environment.
Both serums and conditioners are great at keeping humidity and pollution away from your hair.
Moreover, serums act as pre-styling treatments and finishing products when used on wet or dry hair.
Hair serums are also excellent for wash days, in-between washes, and on-the-go touch-ups.
But, unlike conditioners, you can over-apply hair serums so have a gradual, incremental approach.
7/23
Damaged Strands Treatment
Leave-in Conditioner
from $4.50
Best leave-in conditioners blend natural ingredients such as cocoa butter, coconut oil, and cream, with healthy keratin molecules and nourishing silk proteins.
If used frequently, these conditioners can deliver excellent results in the fight against damaged hair strands and dry ends.
8/23
Split End Hair Rebuild
Leave-in Serum
from $4.50
Similar to leave-in conditioners, leave-in serum treatments are designed to target damage and rebuild hair from deep within the shaft.
Some of the best hair serums I have used contain peptides and innovative ingredients you can only find in expensive skin-care products.
9/23
Instant Hair Split Repair
Smoothing Hair Serum
from $6.50
If your hair has a naturally oily look, try using hair serums that have a lightweight, lotion-like consistency.
Apply only after a wash when the hair is still wet.
The lightweight formula serums also work great with dry hair; however, they must be applied to dry hair to notice an improvement.
10/23
Night Split End Treatment
Night Hair Serum
from $12.78
Some hair serums are designed to be applied overnight.
Some of these hair serums contain a blend of nourishing keratin molecules and protective natural oils that work synergically.
The keratins in the serum feed the hair shaft, while the oil prevents the keratin from drying before it achieves its intended goal.
Left overnight, these serums will deliver hair that looks strengthened, softer, and breakage-free.
Anti-frizz Protection & Curl Treatments
Anti-frizz treatments are based on a unique technology designed to seal the hair cuticle, lock moisture in, and keep humidity out.
Some of the best anti-frizz products contain UV filters to protect hair from the sun drying it even more.
Use anti-frizz products and reparative sprays on damp hair or as a final coat after styling – to ensure the hair retains humidity.
However, you have to be careful with anti-frizz treatments. In this case, more is not better as excess air moisture will form product buildups.
That means your hair will look weighed down, greasy, and frizzy.
A more brilliant hair smoothing strategy is to layer various anti-frizz products throughout your routine.
11/23
Dehydrated Split Ends Treatment
Anti-frizz Conditioner
from $4.99
Some of the best and most affordable products for minimizing the appearance of frizzy, broken ends are anti-freeze conditioners.
Yes, anti-freeze conditioners won’t repair your split ends. However, these special conditioners do a damn good job of camouflaging them.
Moreover, while sealing ragged ends, anti-freeze conditioners will give your hair a super-smoothing shine.
12/23
Day-long Frizz Protection
Anti-frizz Spray
from $7.54
I use anti-freeze sprays for their convenience and great job at penetrating even the driest, most damaged ends of my color-treated hair.
I can also use it on the go, on dry hair, and slick my hair up in a bun.
When I get home, I wash it out to get softer hair to the touch and smoother along the ends.
Moisturizing Hair Masks
I’ve already introduced you to some excellent hair split ends treatments, but something just crossed my mind.
What’s the key to fixing split ends? Well…prevention.
Nutrient-dense hair masks are ideal for coating rebellious hair strands and keeping split ends at bay.
13/23
Broken Ends Curl Repair
Reparative Hair Mask
from $6.79
However, not all hair masks are the same. The best formulas have a good balance of moisturizing ingredients and proteins.
Moisture helps the hair stay smooth and beautiful, while the protein makes it more robust.
Some of my favorite hair masks contain rare blends of cupuaçu seed butter, coconut oil, and hydrolyzed soy protein, known to prevent breakage and fortify frazzled ends.
14/23
Deep Hydration Split Ends Treatment
Avocado Hair Mask
from $5.36
Avocado remains one of the most popular hair moisturizing ingredients in hair masks. Above are some of the best avocado masks out there right now.
However, you can also do your avocado mask at home – if you don’t mind the cost and the mess, of course.
I buy them. I tweak my homemade avocado mask with an egg and a few drops of olive oil when I don’t.
The trio contains fatty acids and vitamins E and K to soften, moisturize, repair, and protect hair follicles.
The result is healthier strands that aren’t as susceptible to getting split ends. Here’s how I prepare and apply my mask:
First, I mash up the avocado and mix it with the egg to make a creamy paste.
I then add organic olive oil until the mix is a little thicker than a conditioner and apply it to my hair, focusing on the ends.
I leave the mask on for 30-40 minutes, and at the end, I rinse it well with warm water.
The results are…SPECTACULAR!
15/23
Keratin Split Ends Treatment
Keratin Hair Mask
from $6.99
For those of you not that much into smashing avocados and eggs, be that because of the mess, the smell, or even the lack of results, I highly recommend keratin maks.
Compared to avocado masks, Keratin masks not only replenish moisture but also provide serious strength to the hair.
Moreover, keratin masks are not to be used for more than five minutes twice a week, so it is an ideal alternative for those on the go or living on the edge.
16/23
Dry Hair Damage Repair
Deep Nourishing Hair Mask
from $7.89
You need a hair mask from organic and natural ingredients if you have an oily scalp and dry ends.
Quite expensive, the active ingredients in these masks, such as goji berry and almond milk, make them some of the best hair masks in this category.
Yes, $55 for a hair mask sounds borderline obscene. Yet, these masks make a noticeable difference.
Moreover, if you heat-style your hair or have hair that veers toward the dry or brittle side, these masks will turn your tresses butter-soft fast.
Color & Bleach Damage Protection
Hair coloring is one of the leading causes of split ends and brittle hair.
If done incorrectly or too often, hair coloring will lead to hair damage and even hair loss.
The hair will look dull, frizzy, challenging to manage, and colorless, defeating the purpose of coloring your hair in the first place.
To prevent that, you’ll have to use color-protecting conditioners.
Great for damaged hair, these conditioners will restore the outer cuticle of your hair and restore the color, shine, and good feel.
17/23
Colored Hair Split Ends Prevention
Color Protecting Conditioner
from $2.49
If you color your hair often, Olaplex hair treatment deserves a place in your top three best hair products.
Olaplex is a science-backed, colorist-approved restorative treatment that must be applied on wet hair (before shampooing or conditioning).
You can also mix it with your hair dye for extra protection.
I use it as part of my hair-washing routine with excellent results.
18/23
Color Damaged Split Ends Treatment
Deep Conditioning
from $4.99
Heavily colored or overly damaged hair from chemical treatments such as highlights and color treatments require frequent deep nourishing.
You can achieve this with masks and treatments designed especially for this type of chemical damage – and I’ve curated some of the best products.
Split End Shampoo Treatments
Choosing the right shampoo with the right ingredients helps tremendously in the fight against split ends.
When lathering your hair, the last thing you want is to strip off its natural oils with harsh shampoo.
The best approach is to use a nourishing shampoo that increases the strength and flexibility of the hair and decreases breakage – one of the leading causes of split ends.
Here’s a list of the best split-end shampoos with both innovative and tried-and-true ingredients.
These shapoos improve the health of your hair and scalp, end split ends, and leave hair looking shiny, youthful, and fully restored.
19/23
Hair Dryness Shampoo Treatment
Dry Hair Shampoo
from $2.50
For dry hair, I highly recommend repairing shampoos that contain natural ingredients.
Look for shampoos containing honey, propolis, and royal jelly.
With silk-like texture, color repair and protection, and wonderful smells, these shampoos show results right after the first use.
20/23
Damaged Hair Shampoo Treatment
Shampoo For Hair Damage
from $4.30
In most cases, damaged hair requires serious lab hair treatments.
However, there are dedicated shampoos that, if used frequently, can work as a cheap alternative to lengthy and expensive hair treatments.
Make sure you choose shampoos containing hyaluronic acid and a slew of other vitamins to make your hair stronger and healthier.
Collagen Booster & Protection
There’s not much talk about collagen production when it comes to split ends, and that’s a severe mistake.
Collagen (be that taken internally or externally) is a vital ingredient for the health of your hair.
Collagen helps mend your split ends, and when combined with other treatments on this list, it confers a synergetic effect.
21/23
Hair Follicle Treatment
Collagen Supplement
from $19.99
One of the best ways to get your scalp to boost its collagen production is by using a combo of honey and olive oil as a hair mask.
Honey is a humectant with excellent emollient properties, and it works wonders at treating a dry scalp and boosting shine.
On the other hand, olive oil is an all-natural magic potion lauded by beauty experts for decades.
Olive oil hydrates, nourish, prevents split ends, and feeds the scalp with high levels of oleic acid.
Together, these ingredients deliver that collagen-boosting effect, and here’s how you do it:
Mix three tablespoons of organic olive oil with two tablespoons of manuka honey.
Apply the mixture to your freshly cleaned and towel-dried hair, and let it soak in for 30 minutes.
Rinse it out and wash your hair with one of the treatment shampoos presented above, according to your hair type.
Coating & Heat Protection
Designed to stop heat tools heat from damaging the hair, heat protectants aren’t the most exciting products in hair care.
But, if you use heat tools often – even just a hairdryer – the benefits of these protectants are bar none.
Each formula is a little different, but the core goal of protecting your hair against flat iron, dryer, and curling damage remains the same.
Below are some of my favorite heat protection products:
22/23
Split Ends Thermal Protection
Heat Protectant
from $3.97
In general, oil-based heat protectants avoid damage by keeping your hair’s natural keratin intact.
Most heat protectants contain coconut oil and papaya seed oil.
But, the best products in this category contain a healthy dose of hyaluronic acid and fig extract known to protect hair from heat tools and frizz.
Sun Protection & After-sun Treatments
We’re all pretty clued-up when it comes to sunscreens.
It must be used daily – even on cloudy days – to protect the skin from harmful UV rays, aging, and pollution. But what about sun protection for hair?
You’re probably guilty of leaving your hair out to dry in the sun in the past without thinking of the damage that those pesky rays can do.
Unfortunately, just like the skin, the hair burns when unprotected.
Regardless of the hair type, hair undergoes fast damage when exposed to UV rays.
“Just like skin, hair can get sunburnS TOO. UV rays burn the outside layerS of the hair follicle MAKING THE HAIR brittle, WITH lifeless ends.
explains Zoe Irwin, GHD UK ambassador.
23/23
Split Ends Sun Protection
UV Radiation Hair Protectant
from $9.99
The summer’s potent combination of sun, sand, and chlorine leech away hair moisture fast.
Unprotected, it’ll turn the ends of your hair dry and straw-like. Therefore, nowadays, there’s no excuse not to use hair sunscreen.
Choose organic variations formulated with (like rosehip, avocado, sea buckthorn, and black cumin seed oils, among others) to protect and further moisturize your hair.
As a side note, ensure that your hair UV sunscreen is vegan and cruelty-free for a better you, animals, and the planet.
Split Ends FAQs
Can split ends be repaired?
While split ends can’t be repaired, only prevented, there are ways of making them look healthier with dedicated hair treatments.
However, if you want to fix your split ends, the only way to eliminate them is to cut them off. Prevention is key to keeping your hair healthy and free of split ends.
What is the leading cause of split ends?
The leading cause of split ends is heat. When the hair is heated (hot tools), it breaks the chemical bonds that give strength to the hair fiber in normal circumstances.
Other known causes of split ends are hair coloring, bleaching, chemical treatments, and harsh handling.
How do I stop getting split ends?
To prevent the formation of split ends, you must:
- Towel dry your hair.
- Use correct blow-drying techniques.
- Apply optimum straightener temperature
- Hairbrush the correct way
- Use the right shampoo & conditioner
- Get a Keratin treatment from time to time
- Keep up with your vitamins
- Use a silk pillowcase or a microfiber hair wrap
Is it reasonable to cut off split ends?
Regularly cutting off your split ends is a great option to keep your hair healthy.
The best way to prevent the formation of split ends is to trim the ends of your hair regularly.
Cutting your hair and removing your split ends prevents the splits from rising up the hair shaft, causing damage.
Conclusion
In this article, I have curated the best split ends treatments – lab-tested and approved by hair experts worldwide- from shampoos to oils.
All treatments and natural solutions presented here have been trialed and selected for their reparative and restoring powers to any hair type.
Also, when discussing homemade split ends treatment, I recommend the best hair ingredients, such as coconut oil, avocado, castor oil, and botanical blends.
I also advise on the best hair oils, scientifically proven to be effective at improving hair hydration and maintaining it.
Regardless of which solution you adopt as the best split-end treatment for you, try not to go overboard or try not to mix them.
Each one of the hair treatments presented above is very potent; thus, a gradual approach or a little use will go a long way.
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Now it’s your turn…
Are you aware of other causes of split ends not mentioned in this article?
How do you prevent split ends from taking place?
If you already have split ends, which one is your type from the ones above?
What kind of split ends treatment works best for you?
Share with us your best way of getting rid of split ends to add to this list.
Please leave your comments below so others can benefit from your experience.
Driven by a deep passion for the environment and a desperate need to do something to save it, Rebecca’s true love lies in environmental justice, currently studying for a Master’s degree in ‘Conservation and Biodiversity’ at The University of Exeter. With years of expertise in the worlds of advertising, PR, events, and movie publicity, Rebecca’s lifestyle, sustainability, and wildlife content intrigue, inspire, and mobilize.
