Split Ends
These are hairs from which the protective cuticle covering the shaft has been damaged and split away. It can unravel as it goes and travels up the hair shaft if further damage occurs. Looks kind of like the frayed end of a thread.
What Causes These ?
There are lots of causes for these and they include : Excessive use of hot styling tools, overwashing, chemicals applied to the hair, lack of regular trims, using inferior styling brushes and combs which snag the hair and overuse of sprays and harsh styling products.
So What Can I Do ?
Well there is no magical ‘cure’ for split ends. The best thing to do really is have them trimmed off. However there are numerous products which can minimise and temporarily ‘seal’ the splits.
A weekly deep conditioning treatment is also a good idea if your hair is prone to splitting, chemically treated or exposed to ceramic straighteners.
Try as much as you can to avoid excess heat, too much brushing and combing. Also invest in quality combs and real bristle brushes.
Throw away combs immediately a tooth is lost and never use metal combs.
Don’t tease or backcomb the hair, you’re actually ripping away its cuticle protection.
Avoid alcohol based styling products and shampoos. Alcohol dries out the hair making it brittle and more prone to splitting.
In the colder months, wear shoulder length hair up to keep it from rubbing on abrasive fabrics like wool.
Whenever possible, let your hair dry naturally to avoid damaging your ends all over again.
Use the lowest setting you can with your hairdryer or straighteners.
Use thermal protecting products. These coat the shaft of the hair and minimise the impact of heat on the hair.
Use a leave-in conditioner
Any Recommendations for Me ?
Here’s a few brief product reviews for Split Ends :
Redken All Soft Soft Ends:
“First of all – what is Soft Ends? Well, it’s a leave-in conditioner – my hairdresser referred to it as a moisturising treatment which would leave my hair soft, shiny and more manageable. Just wash your hair as normal and towel-dry your hair. I then add a blob about the size of a 10p coin, maybe slightly smaller, using my fingers to get this through my hair. I then comb through and make sure that it’s evenly distributed. And that’s it, you’re done. No need to rinse, as the ‘leave-in’ part of the name seems to suggest. I just dry my hair as normal and voilà. Gorgeous, soft, shiny hair is mine.
The only thing I wasn’t sure about is how often this product should be used. It doesn’t say on the bottle and I can’t quite remember what my hairdresser said to me when I asked. I think she said twice a week, but I’ve made the executive decision to use this once a week, bearing in mind that I wash my hair every other day.
I’m really impressed with this product. I never considered my hair to be dry, and certainly not ‘brittle’ but my hairdresser was definitely right in saying that my hair was in need of something to moisturise and nourish it. So I’ve been incredibly impressed with this product.
St.Ives Swiss Formula Hair Repair:
Recently, my hair had found itself in a particularly bad state after a run-in with a hairdryer which had reset to its factory setting as a blowtorch. I took myself to the nearest pharmacist in my lunch hour for some quick-repair, and found it in the form of St. Ives Swiss Formula Hair Repair – No Frizz serum.
The serum may be used in two ways: on damp or dry hair. I have found the most effective use to be on damp hair, so I briefly towelled my hair. Recommended use is 2-3 drops (or squirts, to be more precise) to be massaged into the hair. I have also found that emphasis on the ends is a must, as this is where my hair tends to be most dry. The serum is left in, and the hair may be blow-dried or left to dry naturally. I try to choose the latter as often as possible, especially now after my stungun hairdryer is on the blink! My hair was noticeably better, and others have passed comment on the shine and condition. In retrospect, £5.95 wasn’t outlandish, especially owing to the amount of applications within. I bought my serum from Superdrug, although other pharmacists may stock this product. I probably wouldn’t use it every time I wash my hair, but there is probably no need if used in conjunction with a good conditioner (I recommend the L’Oreal range). I continue to use this, and would definitely purchase it again.”
Andrew Collinge Perfect Endings :
“Perfect Endings” Heat Defence Styling Spray by hair stylist Andrew Collinge, is designed to protect weak lengths in hair and ends of longer hair from bad effects of regular heat drying, straightening and styling. It also aids in protecting it from the sun in hot weather as this can dry out your hair producing frizz. By applying sparingly over the surface of your hair it helps to keep it strong, shiny and frizz free.
The Heat Defence Spray is presented in a handly 150 ml bottle with a spraying nozzle at the top to apply the liquid to your hair. The spray comes out misty, and should be used sparingly as applying too much could make your hair look a bit greasy. Once sprayed on hair, you can go ahead with heat styling or just be free to reveal to the sun. The spray should be brushed in once it is applied. It has a lovely, appealing smell an makes your hair look really shiny and smooth.
Andrew Colling hair styling products are designed mostly for longer hair, as split ends and frizz are more likely to occur here as a result from heated styling.
It surprised me of how good value for money it was, considering the brand name. I bought it at my local tesco for £3.49, and 1/6 of the bottle has lasted me 2 weeks.”
By: Carly
