What Causes Split Ends? 
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Split ends occur as part of the natural aging process of the hair. The ends of the hair are constantly being manipulated by an array of styling tools such as combs and brushes, hot irons, rollers and hair pins.
The constant opening and closing of the cuticle layer at the ends of the hair may damage them to the point where they remain permanently opened.
Another name of split ends is trichoptilosis.
Once split ends occur they can not be permanently repaired.
While they may be temporarily fused together with an array of styling products, ultimately they must be permanently trimmed from the rest of the strands.
Causes of Split Ends
What causes split ends? There are many causes including accidentally getting hair caught in a ficus tree, which has actually happened to me.
Other causes of split ends? Check out the list below:
1. Hair brushes with knobs on the ends which can snag delicate tresses
2. Wooden and/or common rubber padded brushes
3. Cheap plastic brushes with razor sharp teeth
4. Brushes with sharp bristles
5. Combs with rough spots along the edges or the teeth
7. Combing or brushing hair inappropriately or too quickly while still wet
8. Backcombing or back brushing
9. Scissors with dull blades or improperly angled pieces. By sure to use professional grade items.
10. Fingers or fingernails with rough edges or spots. This is true when hair is finger picked or combed
11. Common rubber bands which can snag delicate strands along the length or the ends. Invest in hair friendly elastics.
12. Sliding rough elastics back and forth over ends
13. Winding and/or unwinding hair around any type of hair rollers, curling devices or pends and pencils
14. Allowing hair to flow freely in any type of wind. Hair whipping around in the wind may break or split fragile ends.
15. Buckles on any shoulder straps or accessories ranging from handbags and backpacks to belts, shoes, boots and/or buttons
16. Rough cotton sheets, pillowcases, bedding and/or towels which can rub delicate ends causing them to snap
17. Excessive and/or improper use of hot styling tools (irons, curls, dryers, combs)
18. Chemical damage from bleach, hair color, perms, straighteners, relaxers or similar
19. Overuse of hair styling products with drying ingredients such as alcohols or similar
20. Improper detangling procedures when hair is either wet or dry
21. Allowing hair to dry in a rough towel wrapped turban style on top of the head
22. Dreading or faux dreading hair
23. Playing with hair including twisting, pulling, rubbing or rolling hair between and/or around fingers
24. Chewing on hair or allowing babies, children and/or pets to chew on ends
25. Snapping split ends off with fingers or fingernails
26. Rings, bracelets or other jewelry with rough edges which may snag or rip ends
27. Sleeping with hair tied on top of the head which may cause ends to eventually break. It may also break when braided too tightly or worn down where it can be ripped and tangled during regular nighttime tossing and turning
28. Washing hair in hot water and detangling in shower without first applying leave-in conditioner
29. Piling hair on top of the head while cleansing.
30. Inexpensive hair accessories which snag, rip or tear ends
31. Silicone products which temporarily seal split ends but weaken the cuticles further
32. Poor scalp circulation and/or over-aggressive scalp massages where ends are harshly manipulated
33. Hair can get caught in vacuum cleaners, dust busters, electric air movers and/or space heaters
34. Trimming hair too bluntly or when hair is cut in a U line which may cause hair to break more easily
35. Too much smoking or accidentally burning ends
36. Allowing hair to get too dirty and/or matted which weakens ends
37. Sun damage due to overuse of silicone products which magnify the effect of UV rays
38. Stress, worry and/or lack of proper sleep
39. Nutritional deficiency
40. Rough hair and/or bobby pins
41. Hard water, salt water, chlorinated water in pools & spas
42. Overall environmental damage from excessive heat, cold, wind and other toxic climate issues
Summary - Split End Causes
Other causes? Bad hair habits along with general wear and tear which may cause a domino effect causing hair to rip and split more frequently.
