Can You *Really* Ever Fix Your Split Ends? The Experts Weigh In
Main Image – Esthergalvan/Stocksy
Ever look at your hair and wonder what those wispy, broken bits at the bottom are? Well, they are most likely to be split ends. And unfortunately, once you see them, you can’t unsee them.
But short of buying a big pot of glue and sticking each split end back together again (please don’t…), it’s tricky to know how to fix them and whether it’s even possible to prevent them in the first place.
Here, Gwenda Harmon, Hair Expert at Power Your Curls, gives us all the split end advice you need, including explaining how they occur and whether we can ever get rid of them altogether.
What are split ends?
They are exactly how they sound. “Split ends occur when the tips of your hair begin to fray or separate,” explains Harmon. “Imagine it like a piece of rope that starts coming apart at the end. When hair has split ends, it isn’t shiny and looks damaged.”
Why do split ends occur?
According to Harmon, there are several reasons, the first being environmental damage. “Things like sun, wind, and pollution can weaken your hair,” she says. Heat damage, chemical treatments and lack of moisture have a lot to answer for too.
“Using hot tools like straighteners or curling irons too much can make your hair dry and lead to it splitting,” Harmon continues. “Dyeing or perming your hair can take away moisture, making it easier for hair to split. And when hair is dry and brittle, it can become damaged and split more easily.”
Image – Adobe
How to identify split ends
“You can see split ends if you look carefully at the ends of your hair,” Harmon explains. “They usually appear frayed or divided into two or more pieces, much like a small fork. If your hair doesn’t feel smooth or look shiny, it might be a sign that you have split ends.”
Can you get rid of split ends?
Do you want the good news or the bad news? The bad is that no you can’t. “Unfortunately, once your hair has split ends, the best way to deal with them is to get a trim,” Harmon says.
And the good news? “While you can’t completely fix split ends, you can take steps to keep them from coming back,” she adds. “Regular haircuts every six to eight weeks can help keep your hair looking healthy and prevent more splits from happening.”
How to minimise split ends
First of all, Harmon recommends keeping your hair hydrated. “Use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to keep your hair hydrated and take care of your hair by reducing the use of heat styling tools,” she says. “And always remember to apply heat protectant sprays when you do use them.”
Harmon also suggests not over-washing your hair. “Cleaning your hair too often can remove its natural oils. Try to wash your hair 2-3 times each week.”
Image – Studio Firma/Stocksy
3 expert tips if you experience split ends
1. Use lukewarm water when washing: “Hot water can dry out your hair, so use lukewarm water instead,” advises Harmon. “Then, a cold rinse at the end can help seal the hair cuticle which reduces frizz and helps prevent split ends.”
2. Be gentle when drying: “Instead of rubbing your hair with a towel, gently pat it dry to avoid causing more damage,” she says.
3. Learn tricks to hide them: “Making braids and updos can cover the ends, making them less easy to see,” Harmon says. Also, using texturizing products. “Sprays or creams for texturizing can help give more volume and make split ends less noticeable.” You can also use products to reduce the look of frizz too.
“While there’s no magical solution to completely fix split ends, you can use products like leave-in conditioners or smoothing serums to help hide them temporarily.”
Image – Adobe
The takeaway
So can you ever fix split ends? No. Unfortunately, you can’t just apply a special product to make them disappear – once the hair has split, it’s broken.
However, you can prevent split ends by going for regular trims, washing your hair in lukewarm water (and rinsing it with cold), reducing heated appliances, washing your hair less and generally treating it with a little extra TLC to maintain its overall health.
Meet the expert
Gwenda Harmon is a Hair Expert at Power Your Curls.
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