How to Prevent Split Ends?

There are dozens of different hair treatments on the market which claim help prevent or repair split ends. This is a common problem that everyone struggles with and one for which there are few easy answers. Most hair dressers will tell you that the easiest way to get rid of split ends is not a hair treatment but to get your hair cut frequently. But what happens when you do not want to cut your long tresses of hair? Is there a hair treatment that can either delay or avoid the inevitability of split ends or one that can repair them?

What Are Split Ends?

Split ends occur when damage is done to the protective cuticle at the end of the hair. Damage can happen is a variety of ways, hormones, excessively dry hair, and the use of hairdryers, curling irons, and chemicals can all cause damage to the ends of your hair and cause the hair strands to split. Excessive exposure to heat and the sun during the summer can also cause split ends to occur. It is also important to watch the hair treatment products you buy as well as the shampoo and conditioner you use. These products can either help to prevent split ends or cause them to be worse.

Finding the Right Hair Treatment for Split Ends

Split ends are difficult to repair once they occur, but it is possible to prevent further split ends with the proper hair treatment products. The right hair treatment products start with finding the right shampoo and conditioner. Look for a good quality moisturizing shampoo that will deep moisturize your hair. Follow up with an equally good conditioner and make sure that you concentrate on getting the moisturizer on your split ends. Leave moisturizer on for three to six minutes then rinse with cool water to seal the outer layer of the hair shaft.

Use a deep conditioning hair treatment that is specifically to help repair or prevent split ends, there are a number of good ones on the market. Look for those that are advertised to either deep condition hair or to help prevent split ends. Shine serums can be put on the ends of your hair and left in, they will help protect your hair ends from drying out during the course of the day.

Other Things You Can Do to Avoid More Damage to Your Hair

As good as a hair treatment product can be, even the best hair treatment product will not avoid split ends if you are not careful with your hair. Use a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair after washing, and comb hair gently to avoid breakage. Let your hair dry naturally whenever possible, and save the use of hair dryers and curling irons for only when you really need them. Give your hair a break from styling hair treatment products when you have nowhere to go, and try to find hair treatment products that are gentle on your hair.

Try to avoid over shampooing your hair, which will dry your hair out, no matter how conditioning a hair treatment it is. Use a water filter on your water which will remove chlorine and other chemicals which can cause damage to your hair.

What to Do if Your Hair Already Has Split Ends?

No matter how hard you try, some split ends are bound to happen, but you can slow down the occurrence of split ends and their severity by using the tips above. If your hair is already damaged choose a hair treatment that is meant to help repair split ends. Look for one which has a good reputation, as many of the hair repair products do not work. Your other option is to simply start over and have your hair trimmed. This will give you fresh un-split ends which you can then protect from getting split in the future.