How to Get Rid of Split Ends?

Split ends tend to crop up on you when you rarely expect. One day your hair looks more fabulous than that of an expensive mannequin; and then before you know it is a dishevelled mane with scraggly ends, a ton of frizz and frayed ends has replaced it. And this explains why the art of how to get rid of split ends remains one of the most highly-sought sets of skills in the hairdressing world. Speaking of which, the best way to get rid of split ends is following a specific set of instructions that we will outline extensively later in this write-up.

How to Get Rid of Split Ends at Home

Split ends can be a chronic problem and a real pain to stay ahead of. Fortunately, there are several home remedies to get rid of split ends that you can try at the comfort of your dressing table. And an easy way to get rid of split ends is first-of-all identifying what exactly is causing the breakages and attempting to fix it before even trying any hair care products. But first things first, what are split ends?

Simply put and as the name suggests, splits are what happens when one strand of hair breaks into two and gets frayed up. And if you are the type of person that has a habit of habitually pulling apart your splits ends when bored (or when dressing up your hair) then you are well-acquainted with this annoying problem. But how do you get rid of split ends, really? And is there any long-term risk to your hair if they are left untreated?

Scientifically known as trichoptilosis, split ends are as a result of fraying or splitting of the main hair shaft. They can occur anywhere on the hair strand although they are mostly recognizable at the periphery of the shaft as those are oldest cells and the most probable to fray. Not only are they unsightly and aesthetically unpleasant but also an indication that your hair is not healthy and lacks vital nutrients. That being said, if you neglect taking prompt action, the problem can escalate quickly leaving you with severely damaged hair with extreme brittleness permeating throughout your once glorious mane. That's actually the reason getting rid of split ends should be a priority.

And so, without further ado, here are some of the home remedies to get rid of split ends you should have at your fingertips.

1. Use a Gentle Shampoo

As you might expect, one way to get rid of split ends without cutting hair starts all the way in the shower. Ensure that the only section of your hair that comes into contact with the shampoo is the roots and that you are using a sulfate-free solution. Remember that products that are laden with sulfates (typical of most conventional shampoos) tend to over-cleanse and wreak havoc to fragile hair.

2. Change how You Condition your Hair

If you are looking for how to get rid of split ends without cutting your hair, then you may want to start paying close attention to how you go about conditioning your hair. Ideally, you should only apply the conditioner starting from the mid-lengths of the strands going all the way to the ends. What's more, go easy on the comb when it comes to detangling to avoid the risk of snapping off hair fibres from your already fragile mane. Another excellent approach that you could use to get rid of split ends without cutting hair is by only combing the bottom end of the hair strands as you work your way up.

The same applies to using a pre-shampoo treatment; douse your hair no more than two or three times a week to keep the strands less brittle and more elastic in the long run.

Speaking of conditioning, avoid making the mistake of overdoing it by leaving it inside your hair as a leave-in treatment. Here's the thing; if the conditioner is not specifically directed to be used as a leave-in and you're still using it as such, then you could contribute immensely to your hair hardening, fraying and breaking off. Regular conditioners often contain a specific set of proteins that shouldn't be left in your mane for too long.

3. Rinse Using Cold Water

One of the simplest and most practical home remedies to get rid of split ends is by simply doing a quick and ice cold rinse in the shower as close as you can to the hair cuticle after you're done bathing. You see, hair cuticles are more less like the shingles in your roof. They tend to open in hot/warm water which increases the risk of them breaking or splitting but will close up and lay flat when doused with a cold stream of water. And this is exactly what you want if you want a smooth and even-looking mane.

4. Dry your Hair Gently

So you are interested in how to get rid of split ends without cutting your hair? Then pay close attention to this next part. A lot of people often inflict untold damage to their tresses just by rubbing their hair vigorously after walking out of the shower. So it's high time you substituted that regular fabric towel with a microfibre (or even a soft t-shirt) to dry your high. If not for anything else, this will avert or at least lessen the chances of you physically damaging or splitting your fragile strands.

The same goes for when you're using a blow dryer - use it with a special nozzle in place to diffuse the air flow. It may also help if you blow dry your hair sections rather than all at once to minimize the chances that one particular section is getting over blasted with heat. Additionally, wrap it up with a cool shot at the end to close up those open cuticles.

5. Protect and Shield Your Hair Strands as You Sleep

It is important to take solid and deliberate steps to protect your hair from snags as you get some shuteye at the end of a hectic day. One of the ways to get rid of split ends without cutting your hair is by simply changing how you wear it at night. So, if let's say you always wear your hair as a bun then it would be great to switch it up to cornrows or pig tails at night. What's more,  be sure to apply a hydrating cream or balm from the mid-length of your tresses to the extreme ends before wrapping it up in loose braids or a soft bun before hitting the haystack. Investing in a silk pillow house rather than regular cotton one could pay massive dividends when it comes to getting rid of split ends.

6. It's Important to Get Regular Trims

You should, on average, trim your ends every two months or so, even if it is just a simple and quick dusting. However, if you are asking how do you get rid of split ends, then you may want to bump up this frequency to every four to six weeks. Avoid going for more than three months without a trim, even if you feel your hair is healthy enough. Here's where it gets a little interesting; by trimming your hair every once in a while you are in fact boosting its chances of staying healthy - something that will keep it growing stronger with time. And stronger hair translates to less split ends and fewer breakages, which then implies longer hair at the end of the year.

What's more, regular trimming is a textbook version of nipping the problem right in the bud and stopping the split ends from progressing upwards over the course of the hair shaft to the root.

7. Learn and Perfect an At-home Treatment

Give your mane an extra dose of tender loving care aka TLC by pampering it at least one night per week with an-house hair treatment. This DIY avocado hair repairing mask, for example, is excellent for repairing split ends and quite easy to whip up too. If anything, research shows that treating fragile hair with essential natural oils regularly can go a long way in preventing split ends from showing up in the first place. This page also has some exceptional restorative hair masks that you can try using condiments from a nearby local grocery or even your kitchen fridge.

How to Prevent Split Ends

Prevention, since days of yore, has always been miles better than cure. It goes without saying that you won't be foraging the interwebs looking for how to get rid of split ends without cutting them if you don't have broken strands in the first place. So, whether or not you were blessed with resilient and healthy hair, there are a couple of things that you can do to prevent split ends and keep your tresses looking fabulous and fantastic all year round.

1. Nourish your Hair Starting from Inside Out

One of the foremost and most important tips for growing strong, long and shiny hair is ensuring that you are nourishing your tresses with the right set of nutrients. Apart from eating a balanced diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits and healthy fats, you should also be proactive enough to start taking supplements for hair growth to further increase the likelihood of keeping split ends at bay.

Talking about supplements, folic acid and biotin in particular have both demonstrated an unparalleled ability to improve hair length, health and thickness. And, as a matter of fact, this is exactly what you need if you are looking for how to prevent split ends in your natural hair. In addition to these, taking a DHT blocker supplement, such as saw palmetto, may also help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth by reducing levels of DHT, a hormone that can contribute to hair loss in both men and women.

Biotin (which can be sourced from these superiorly formulated Biotin and Collagen drops works by metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in a way that bolsters and strengthens both your nails and hair. Folic acid, on the other hand, which is part of the consortium of nutrients found in these Vitamin B complex drops, oversees the production of healthy red blood cells that ultimately powers healthy hair.

2. Hydration is Key

Split ends and dryness go hand in hand, so staying hydrated and keeping your hair sufficiently moisturized is key. Here's where a suitable mask comes into play. And if possible, it should be a thick and generously hydrating mask to smooth out the cuticles and strands as methodically as possible. If anything, this is hugely important if you have processed or curly hair which naturally tends to drier, splits easily and more fragile in the absence of enough moisture.

3. Get the Right Products for Your Hair

One of the other natural ways to get rid of split ends is by investing in the right conditioners, shampoos and styling products for your hair. It is best, for instance, to stay away from harsh clarifying shampoos as they are known to be quite hard on one's hair and will most probably continually strip it of the necessary natural oils that it needs to look fantastic.

Also, bear in mind that a majority of regular hair products are laden with toxic chemicals, unproven ingredients such as sulfates or parabens and drying agents. Instristically speaking, they actually do your precious mane more than good. As such, it is vital to minimize the number of times that you wash your hair in a week. Ideally, avoid using shampoos and conditioners more than thrice a week especially if your hair is prone to split ends.

Still on this, always be on the lookout and prioritize products that are designed for damaged and dry hair. Have it at the back of your mind that higher quality products that make use of only natural ingredients will be more expensive than their run-of-the-mill counterparts. In the long run, nonetheless, it will be cheaper than trying to revive damaged strands down the line. Also, you will save yourself a pretty penny that would otherwise be spent on costly salon treatments.

4. Stop Coloring Your Hair

Embracing the natural color and texture of your hair can really go a long way to prevent split ends, especially if you have fragile hair. Bleaches and dyes contain a concoction of harsh chemicals that worsens breakages and adds to your collection of split ends. Perms and texturizers are also major culprits that have left many with frizzy, dehydrated and patched-looking tresses. Stick to more natural coloring techniques such as babylights and balayage if you really have to color your hair. And even then, make it an once-in-a-while affair as possible.

The Takeaway

Ultimately, getting rid of splits ends at home or through a professional salon boils down to keeping your hair nourished, well-moisturized and using the right products. And while it may be impossible or extremely difficult to avoid these annoying split ends entirely, following the above valuable tips and exercising a ton of caution whilst handling your hair will pay massive dividends in the fullness of time.