Split ends occur when the hair shaft splits from a single strand into multiple ones, usually occurring at the tip. This is a sign of damaged or unhealthy hair.

Your hair becomes frizzy and tangled, making it difficult to maintain.

After repeated exposures, the outer protective layer of the hair, the cuticle, no longer maintains its protective function. The loss of this layer renders the rest of the hair strand more susceptible to subsequent damage and breakage, resulting in the appearance of split ends.

Split ends occur in response to excessive or repeated chemical treatments, grooming habits, genetics, and various environmental exposures. They can result in progressive damage to the hair, seen as “weathering”.

Nutrition plays an important part in the condition of your hair. On average, 100,000 hairs on the top of the head grow at a rate of 0.3-0.4mm a day. Logically, this process requires a lot of energy and proper nutrients.  

How to fix split ends

You cannot fix the hair that already has split ends, but you can prevent further splitting.

1. Limit the use of thermal treatments and use lower heat temperatures

2. Let hair air dry naturally

3. Apply hair oils before combing wet hair to reduce excessive stretching

4. Use a wide tooth comb when combing wet hair

5. Avoid over brushing or towel drying hair

6. Reduce chemical exposure to hair

7. Use semi or demi-permanent hair dyes to avoid ammonia exposure

8. Decrease the frequency of chemically applied hair treatments

9. Protect hair from UV sun exposure by applying hair sunscreen and wearing a hat. Don’t forget about thermal hair protectants too.

10. Eat properly: A balanced diet of protein, vitamins, and minerals is a good way to get the nutrients needed for healthy hair. If there is a nutritional imbalance or deficiency, this can lead to the progression of damaged hair. While there are many vitamins and minerals that can help supplement and maintain the integrity of hair, zinc, iron, and protein are among some of the most influential.

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