Split Ends: Best Tips & Tricks

Introduction

Just anybody that has hair of any length and is old enough to have a basic comprehension of how it grows knows what split ends are.  

(Image courtesy of Paul Mitchell Systems - 2003 - From The Juxtaposition Collection - all rights reserved).

Even guys are aware of the problems and pitfalls of scraggy pitty split ends as demonstrated recently by Nick Lachey on Dorm Raiders.  While looking through a co-ed's room with the Dorm Raider male college candidate, Nick discuss split ends on one of the female contestants.

Cause of Split Ends?

In the beauty world split hair or split ends is officially known as trichoptilosis. There are wide range of reasons why split ends occur.  

Some causes include:

1. Excessive use of hot styling tools (irons, hot curlers, blow dryers, hot combs).
2. Overuse of chemical treatments (relaxers, perms, hair color).
3. Use of inferior styling tools that rip or snag hair (cheap synthetic brushes or combs, brush rollers, etc.,).
4. Environmental damage from heat, cold, wind and other climate issues.
5. Lack of routine maintenance such as regular trimming.
6. Improper detangling techniques.
7. Overwashing.
8. Use of inferior hair care products.
9. Excessive use of styling products such as gels, waxes and sprays.
10. Trimming with inferior scissors.

There are other causes for split ends beside some of the main ones mentioned above.  Other causes could be excessive tangling, improper application or removal of hair extensions, headgear that snaps or rips delicate strands or even scratchy bedclothes, fingers or hands.  

Continued below ↓

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Split End Myths

Regardless of how you developed split ends, once you have them they will not just disappear.  You will have to deal with them by either having them removed, wearing your hair to disguise their appearance or utilizing tricks to temporarily merge the splits together. 

There are a lot of myths about split ends.  The number one myth is that once a split end occurs, you can actually fix it by repairing it so that the end is no longer torn.

The truth of the matter is that once an end is split it is ripped apart for good.  Yes, there are ways to temporarily glue the ends together and even give the appearance of healthy ends.  

Celebrity stylists disguise split ends all the time for their megawatt star clients.  However, ultimately the only way to remove a split end is to cut it off.

Trick To Temporarily Repair Split Ends

For a temporary split-free finish follow these steps:

• Shampoo hair and use a moisturizing formula like Phytojoba or similar.  
• Use a good rinse out conditioner making sure to slather the ends where the splits exist.
• Rinse well and then do a cool to cold rinse to seal the hair's cuticles and ends, adding instant sleekness and glossiness.
• Towel blot and then apply your favorite leave-in conditioner like Phyto 7, Phyto 9 or similar to your damp tresses.
• Detangle your strands with a wide tooth comb.
• Pour a pea sized drop of shine serum like Phytolisse or Robert Hallowell's Shine Drops Serum into the balms of your hands.  
• Glide your serum coated hands over the ends of your hair making sure to focus more serum on the most frayed ends of your hair.
• Use a large paddle or round brush and a blow dryer and blow your hair completely dry.
• Make sure that the split end areas are dried as straight as possible since splits look worse when they are allowed to wave, curl, frizz or spike out.
• When your hair is 100% dry apply a light layer of heat protectant spray or product.  Then use a ceramic or teflon flat iron to flat-iron the bottom 1 1/2 to 2 inches of your tresses from side to side.  

When you are finished flat ironing all around your head, spray with a light hairspray with silk to help maintain the temporary mending.

This treatment will temporarily bind your split ends back together.  It is a little like using super glue on a broken cup.  The glue will hold the pieces together, like the serum will hold your split ends together, but ultimately they will have to be trimmed off to prevent the rest of the hair from ultimately splitting up the shaft.

Summary

How often should you do this temporary mend?  According to the hair experts like Ken Paves and Barbara Lhotan, you should only use this split end trick for very special hair events, hair emergencies or when you can't get to your stylist and you have a major hair event to attend.

After you have disguised your split ends for your hair extravaganza don't delay making that appointment for your much needed trim.

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