Split ends are one of the most commonly voiced hair complaints. When your hair is damaged, whether due to chemical or heat processing, over-exposure to certain environmental elements or improper hair care, it's more likely to break off and split. Although a miracle split end cure sounds promising, split ends can only be effectively removed by cutting them off.
Causes
Damaged hair and split ends are typically due to some form of mechanical damage to your hair shaft. According to the American Hair Loss Association, the most common cause of physical damage to the hair shaft is over-processing. This includes processing with chemicals, such as dyes, perms, relaxers or straighteners, using harsh hair care products that strip the hair of its natural oils and heat damage from overuse of blow dyers, curling irons and flat irons. Brushing your hair too aggressively or with the wrong type of hair brush can also cause damage and split ends.
Features
If you look closely at the tips of your hair, you might notice one strand separates into two at the very end. This is known as a split end. According to Indiana Public Media, split ends result from damage to the outermost layer of your hair, known as the cuticle, which is formed by overlapping cells. When you over-process or damage your hair in some other way, you wear away at the cuticle. This exposes the cortex, the middle part of the hair strand, which can cause the protein fibers to unravel, resulting in split ends.
Considerations
The only real way to get rid of split ends is to cut off as much damage as possible and avoid using damaging hair care methods such as harsh brushing or combing, according to the American Hair Loss Association. You can purchase commercially prepared products that claim to glue the split ends back together, but these only work for a short period of time and your split ends will eventually return.
Home Remedies
Although you can't repair split ends, there are certain steps you can take to improve the condition and texture of your hair, according to Penny James, senior stylist at New York City's Avon Salon and Spa in a "Cosmopolitan" article. James recommends using a conditioner containing echinacea or keratin proteins, which helps to coat and seal the hair shaft. Use a leave-in conditioner or heat protection spray if you must blow dry or style your hair with heated appliances.
Warning
If possible, avoid chemical treatments and the use of heated appliances if you have split ends or damaged hair. According to the American Hair Loss Association, continued processing and improper hair care can cause further damage to hair that is already weak, brittle and damaged, and may result in hair loss.
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