Everyone knows the dread of split ends. Your hair can go from healthy and luscious to damaged and frayed in a matter of months, and it’s not a good look. Having healthy hair is so important, but it can be hard to know how to keep it healthy all the time. There are so many things that damage our hair, from using curling irons and straighteners to over-shampooing and even sleeping on cotton pillowcases. If you’ve experienced split ends, you may have gotten advice to cut your hair, but not everyone wants to go to that extreme. If you’re looking for the best ways to prevent split ends, we’re letting you in on how to get rid of split ends without cutting your hair!
What Causes Split Ends?
Split ends occur when your hair becomes dry and brittle and as a result splits or frays. Usually split ends happen at the end of the hair, but you can get them further up the strand too. Split ends can occur due to everything from blow drying and using heat tools, to the use of chemical hair treatments, to everyday activities such as shampooing your hair.
Everyone can experience split ends, but not all hair encounters split ends to the same degree. Split ends cause your hair to look dry and uneven, so it’s important to prevent them or get rid of them if they’ve already started to surface.
8 Tips to Prevent Split Ends
1. Don’t Over-Shampoo Your Hair
Did you know you shouldn’t be washing your hair with shampoo more than twice a week? Your hair is super fragile when it’s wet and if you over-shampoo it, it can lead to split ends. When you’re washing your hair, make sure the shampoo is mostly concentrated to your scalp so your ends aren’t damaged too much.
2. Shower With Lukewarm to Cold Water
The hotter your shower water, the more damage it’s doing to your hair. The hot water makes your cuticles swell, making your hair more prone to split ends. Shower with the coldest water you can stand, or at least at the very end of your shower, run your hair under cold water to close the cuticles and prevent split ends.
3. Use a Microfiber Towel
Using a microfiber towel is another great way to prevent splits. Rubbing your hair with a normal towel can cause a lot of damage, so invest in a microfiber towel and wrap your hair in it, allowing the towel to absorb the moisture. It’s one of the best and healthiest ways to dry your hair.
4. Don’t Blow Dry Your Ends
Blow drying your hair is super damaging in general, but if you must blow dry it, at least stay away from your ends. Use the dryer on your roots and upper lengths of your hair, but avoid the ends. The heat from the blow dryer can cause split ends, so it’s best to keep blow drying to a minimum.
5. Avoid Using Hot Tools As Much As You Can
Are you noticing a pattern here? Heat and hair do not mix well. Using heated styling tools causes damage and split ends to your hair, so if you’re looking to prevent split ends, you’ll want to cut down on hot tools as much as possible. When you do use them, try using the low to medium setting, and avoid using them on the ends of your hair!
6. Take Folic Acid and Biotin
Folic acid and biotin are two vitamins that are incredible for your hair. They’ve been shown to supplement your hair health, growth, and thickness, making your strands full and lush. Folic acid increases the production of red blood cells, promoting the growth of hair; and biotin strengthens your hair through its metabolism of fats, carbs and proteins.
You can take folic acid and biotin in supplement form, or increase certain foods in your diet. Foods like dark leafy greens, oranges and soybeans are rich in folic acid, and you can find biotin in brown rice, lentils, peas, walnuts and sunflower seeds.
7. Limit Chemical Hair Services
From dying and highlighting your hair, to relaxing and perming it, any service that uses chemicals is going to be very damaging for your hair. All the damage it takes on can lead to split ends, so staying away from these treatments is your best bet if you’re dealing with lots of split ends.
8. Use a Silk Pillowcase
Switching your cotton pillowcases out for silk ones is one of the best ways to prevent split ends. While cotton creates friction between your hair and pillowcase, causing it to break, silk allows your hair to glide easily, preventing breakage and split ends.
7 Ways to Get Rid of Split Ends Without Cutting Your Hair
1. Use a Wide-Toothed Comb
Did you know using a brush on your hair can be extremely damaging to it and even cause split ends? Brushing your tangled hair can break and snap your strands, so instead run a wide-toothed comb through it after you apply conditioner in the shower.
2. Apply Leave-In Conditioner
Using a conditioner in the shower is good, but won’t do much for split ends. Instead, apply a leave-in conditioner to add extra protection to your hair. This will help prevent and repair damage and split ends.
3. Use Moisturizing Hair Masks
Split ends crave moisture! Use a moisturizing hair mask to revitalize your strands, and make your split ends much less obvious. Since split ends are super dry and lifeless, using a moisturizing hair mask a few times a week will bring your hair back to life!
4. Use Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has many uses, and it’s amazing as a remedy for split ends. Coconut oil has small molecules that penetrate the outer cuticle and hydrate from the inside out. It can also help replenish the protective oils on the outside of your hair. Apply warmed coconut oil on your hair once a week as a deep hydrating mask.
5. Try an Apple Cider Vinegar Mask
If you’re wondering how to repair damaged hair – including split ends – naturally, combine one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with two tablespoons olive oil and three egg whites. Rub the mixture into your hair and cover it for half an hour using a shower cap. Shampoo and rinse your hair after. An apple cider vinegar mask is a great way to bring life back to your hair, too!
6. Consider a DIY Olive Oil Hair Mask
As someone who suffers from split ends, I cannot say enough good things about these hair masks by STYLECRAZE. The hydrating properties of olive oil combined with the beauty benefits of ingredients like honey make these types of hair masks my go-to remedy to prevent hair breakage and add a little shine to my hair. I use these frequently during the winter months!
7. Global Keratin Anti-Frizz Hair Smoothing Serum
If you prefer store-bought products and serums, this product not only transforms your hair from dry to smooth, it also restores your hair by providing a protective layer around each strand, making it an excellent choice if you want to know how to get rid of split ends without cutting your hair.
Split ends are never fun! Use these awesome tips to prevent and remedy split ends and get your healthy hair back!
