On average, your hair grows around six inches every year, which means the hair below your shoulders can be up to four years old. Considering how often we wash, style and tie up our tresses that's a lot of wear and tear over time, so it's not surprising that many of us struggle with 'split ends', where hair becomes more spindly, 'splintered' and dry at the tips.
The most foolproof method for getting rid of them is a haircut, but if you are currently trying to grow your hair or are unable to have a professional haircut, we spoke to the experts to find out the best way to tackle and prevent them at-home...
What are split ends and what causes them?
Split ends occur when the ends of your hair (the 'oldest' part) become dry and damaged beyond repair. You can often see a splintering effect towards the bottom of your tresses, which, if left untreated, can cause breakage that leaves some strands shorter than the rest.
The reasons this can happen include: "heat styling, over-brushing and overuse of inferior products," says the hairstylist and Virtue hair care ambassador Nicola Clarke. "They can also occur when hair is washed and dried every day, coloured frequently, not getting trimmed regularly and through the use of elastic bands."
What makes split ends more noticeable?
"Hair that is not moisturised can make the ends look even drier," says Clarke, so if you dye your hair, especially with lighter balayage through the ends, you may notice them more. "Also a lack of routine maintenance such as regular trimming and deep conditioning treatments can make split ends more obvious."
Can products ever “cure” split ends?
While not offering a guaranteed way to 'cure' split ends, products can definitely help you stretch the time between your haircuts once split ends have formed. The technology and ingredients utilised in them have advanced in recent years too, so they can often produce a longer term, if not permanent, solution.
Virtue Split End Serum
Virtue Split End Serum
Seal
Some of the most exciting products 'seal' split ends, helping them appear repaired for longer, even through multiple washes. One of Bazaar's favourites is the Virtue Split End Serum. It is formulated with the patented ingredient Alpha Keratin 60ku, which is identical to the keratin in our hair, skin and nails. That means it can bind directly to damaged hair, filling in gaps in the hair shaft for longer-term split end relief.
Moisturise
Keeping your hair hydrated can both prevent split ends and limit their appearance once they happen, so weekly or biweekly moisturising treatments are a must, particularly if you struggle with dryness. Use a reparative mask, such as Rahua's Leave-In Treatment to lock moisture into dried out ends and leave hair looking healthier. Also ensure you are using an effective conditioner in the shower, as that is your first defence against tangles and dehydration.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer
Strengthen
"If your hair is snapping, it is brittle and lacking in moisture causing a reduction in the hairs elasticity, says the creative director of Hari's, Craig Taylor. So to improve the hairs elasticity use a hair treatment such as Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment."
Conceal
As a final resort, finishing serums are your best friends for a last minute fix for split ends. Just as you might tackle frizz and flyaways with such products, frayed ends can appear instantly sleeker and healthier, as such products help the cuticle of your hair lie flatter. Plus, a little bit of shine deflects the eye from any dryness or breakage. Try Redken's Diamond Oil for finer hair and a hair cream such as Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom for thicker tresses.
How to prevent split ends?
Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
Wash with care
"The best advice I can give is to avoid getting split ends in the first place by treating your hair properly," says the co-founder of Rahua, Fabian Lliguin. "Protecting the ends of your hair is of utmost importance. Choose fortifying shampoos, such as Rahua's Classic Shampoo, which includes ingredients such as Rahua oil, quinoa, aloe, and green tea, to help hair grow stronger and, as a result, longer."
Ghd Heat Protect Spray
Ghd Heat Protect Spray
Protein treatments
"You can help prevent breakage in the first instance by using a weekly protein based treatment," says the creative director of Aveda's Lifestyle Salon, Michael Lendon. "This can repair, seal and smooth the broken protein bonds in brittle hair. I recommend Aveda’s Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair".
Heat protection
When styling your hair, never forget to use a heat guard to help limit the effects of hot tools on your tresses - Bazaar recommends Ghd's Heat Protect Spray - although step away from any oil-based styling products until after drying, straightening or curling your hair as this can cause even more damage. Keep the temperature of your hair tools as low as possible too (which is why choosing a tool with variable heat settings is a good idea), as this will also minimise the risk of split ends.
WetBrush Pro Detangler
WetBrush Pro Detangler
Be gentle
"The best way to avoid split ends is being gentle and kind to your hair," says the creative director of Hari's Craig Taylor. "Blot-dry your hair with a towel after washing, and try not to vigorously rub your hair."
Hair is fragile, and especially so when wet, so you need to brush it gently too. The trick is to start at the bottom of your hair and work up rather than from the parting, ensuring that your brush glides through the hair and doesn't make any ripping noises. Then, if you have particularly knotty ends, cup your hand around your tresses just above the problem area. This will avoid you pulling too hard on the roots, which can encourage hair fall.
The right brush will also make your life easier. For example, a Tangle Teezer can make light work of knots and if you choose one with a handle, such as the WetBrush Pro Detangler, you'll have lots of control. Then, when tying up your hair, use an Invisibobble (for grip that is still easy to remove) or Silk, for a gentle (and pretty) way to secure your up-dos.
Is cutting your own hair at-home ever a good solution?
"The only way to permanently get rid of and prevent split ends is to have your hair regularly trimmed," says the hair stylist Adam Reed. "Products will smooth the ends, but the results won't last forever."
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As such, we'd recommend waiting for a professional hair cut before trying any comprehensive transformations, but snipping off dead ends rather than picking or snapping them (which can damage the shaft further) can help... if you don't get too scissor happy that is.
"Here is an easy technique for trimming your own ends," says Lliguin. "It's known as giving your hair a 'dusting'":
The best treatments for split ends
Virtue Split End Serum
Full of the patented Alpha Keratin 60ku® protein that has made Virtue a beauty editor's go-to hair repair brand, this lightweight cream seals split ends for an immediate effect, as well as protecting against future damage. You'll benefit from heat production and better hydration and shine too, due to the inclusion of pea protein, hydrolyzed quinoa and baobab seed oil.
Aveda Damage Remedy Split End Repair
All the products in Aveda's Damage Remedy range are renowned for their ability to counteract the effects of hair breakage, whether it is caused by heat or colour treatments. This formula, with a handy nozzle that allows you to apply it targetedly, contains many nourishing ingredients, including nangai oil that envelops dry ends and helps them lie smoothly and with greater shine.
Ghd Advanced Split End Therapy
Ghd's Advanced Split End Therapy works in the same way as in-salon keratin treatments, but the results last for around 10 days, depending on how often you wash your hair. The formula is heat-activated, so you need to apply to clean, dry hair and then blow-dry it in. While it sounds counter-productive, if you follow with hair straighteners the results are even more impressive.
Moroccanoil Mending Infusion
Another targeted formula from a brand that specialises in nourishing, repairative haircare, Moroccanoil's split end saviour contains hydrolysed quinoa, argan oil and baobab extract to boost softness and shine throughout the lengths of your hair not just to smooth brittle ends. That means it's perfect for anyone who struggles with frizz too.
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
An at-home version of the brilliantly effective in-salon treatment, apply this mask once a week (or after your dye your hair) to keep your hair strong and healthy-looking. It works to repair the bonds between your hair on a molecular level, avoiding the dryness and breakage that leads to split ends so it is both preventive and repairative.
Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Split End Remedy
Now 20% Off
With results that last for up to three washes, this clever cream seals split ends for longer while also shielding your hair against heat, UV and pollution. That means however many split ends you have, your hair will feel softer and smoother.
Rahua Leave-In Treatment
Nourish your tresses with natural ingredients, including the brand's namesake rahua oil that is rich in omega-9 to defend hair against heat, styling tool damage and dryness. There's now also a light version for those with very straight or fine hair to ensure your hair gets the hydration it needs without being weighed down.
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