| What we all know as split ends is actually | | | | entire hair shaft or else the split ends themselves |
| trichoptlosis where the protective cuticle around | | | | will actually split, leaving you with split split ends. |
| the hair (especially at the ends) has been | | | | Causes |
| damaged or removed. When you have split ends, | | | | What causes hair to split like that? General abuse |
| your hair does not look neat, clean or healthy. | | | | such as - |
| The ends either look "fuzzy" or they break off at | | | | - a lot of heat (curling irons, blow driers) |
| different lengths along the hair shafts and give | | | | - chemicals (chlorine, perms, straighteners, hair |
| your hair a straggly appearance even when | | | | color) |
| freshly washed and groomed. | | | | - outside elements (extreme heat, extreme cold, |
| Let's take a bit of a scientific look at split ends. | | | | wind) |
| Each strand of your hair is made up of 3 layers - | | | | - overbrushing (such as the old recommended 100 |
| the cuticle, the cortex, and the medula. | | | | brush strokes per day) |
| The medula is the core, made up of soft, | | | | - cutting with dull scissors (ouch) |
| coin-shaped cells stacked on top of each other. | | | | - lack of regular haircuts |
| The cortex surrounds the medula and is made up | | | | Prevention |
| of spindle shaped cells which determine the color | | | | You can take precautionary measures to avoid |
| and texture of your hair. | | | | split ends such as - |
| The cuticle is the outer layer that consists of | | | | - use a low pH shampoo |
| hard, round tubular cells that overlap and act as | | | | - use a leave in conditioner to avoid tangles and |
| armour for the softer, more delicate cells that are | | | | moisturize your hair |
| inside your hair shaft. | | | | - after washing your hair, squeeze the water out |
| Cellular Damage | | | | and absorb the rest with a thick towel (rubbing will |
| When the cuticle becomes damaged, the | | | | split the ends or even break hairs) |
| overlapping cells will curl and your hair will look dull. | | | | - gently comb out your wet hair with a |
| Not only that, the softer cortex beneath these | | | | wide-toothed comb (wet hair stretches and snaps |
| cells gets exposed, and that is when you get split | | | | more easily than dry hair) |
| ends or even some breakage. | | | | - limit your use of styling products (such as gel, |
| Remedy | | | | mousse hairspray) that could build up on your hair |
| A head full of split ends is not attractive, so what | | | | - avoid or at least limit heat from curling irons, |
| can you do about it? Many years ago, people | | | | blow driers, etc. |
| would actually burn split ends - a bit drastic and | | | | - use fabric covered elastics or scrunchies rather |
| not recommended. There are products that are | | | | than elastic bands |
| available on the market today that will actually | | | | - trim your hair every 6 - 8 weeks |
| fuse or glue the damaged pieces of your hair | | | | - cover up your hair with a hat when you need to |
| together, but that will only last until you wash | | | | be out in the sun for an extended period of time |
| your hair. Unfortunately, the only remedy for split | | | | - eat a healthy diet (protein, iron, vitamin C and |
| ends is to cut them off. | | | | vitamin E are essential for healthy hair) |
| Split ends should not be left unattended. The | | | | If you treat your hair well with regular shampoong |
| damaged ends need to be cut off before they | | | | and trimming and take the mentioned |
| travel further up the shafts of your hair and do | | | | precautionary measures, you shouldn't have to |
| more damage. Some splits can split right up the | | | | worry about split ends. |