Luckily, split ends are relatively easy to treat once you know what you’re dealing with. In today’s blog, we’ll get to the bottom of what causes split ends, broken ends and the proper treatment you can do at home.
Healthy hair care starts at both the scalp and the lengths. While split ends affect the ends of the hair, scalp concerns can also influence how comfortable and healthy your overall hair routine feels. If you are also experiencing flakes or an itchy scalp, our complete dandruff guide covers common causes and management tips.
Table of Contents
What Are Split Ends?
Split ends, also known as broken ends, are precisely what it sounds like – hair damaged at the ends (the oldest part of the hair shaft), causing it to split naturally. However, it’s essential to realize that split hair can appear on the head, not just on the ends.
Although split ends occur along the hair shaft, maintaining a clean and comfortable scalp can still be part of a complete hair-care routine. If you are considering scalp exfoliation to address buildup, avoid excessive scrubbing and learn how often you should exfoliate your scalp before adding it to your routine.
Some Of The Most Common Causes – Split Ends
which end in a fork, are among the most common. If you notice such broken ends, your hair is probably in the early stages of damage. That means it’s not too late to turn back the clock and eliminate. Hair concerns can involve either the hair shaft or the scalp, and these issues should not always be treated in the same way. If you notice persistent scalp flakes alongside damaged ends, it may help to understand what dandruff is and what causes it.
Broken tips in a tree or branching pattern typically indicate that one side of the hair fiber is more damaged than the other. This type of split end means your hair is already quite damaged and needs careful attention.
Sometimes in people with curly hair, tiny knots form on individual strands of hair. It is caused by the tangling of the hair and can lead to breakage when brushing.
What Causes Split Ends?
Well, all broken ends occur because the hair has been damaged. Here are some of the most common causes of split ends that will cause you to get them without even knowing.
Exposing Hair To Excessive Heat And Direct Sunlight
One of the most common causes is exposure to excessive heat and sunlight. The sun’s intense UV rays can dry hair, leaving it at risk of breakage and splitting if care is not taken. To prevent this, you should try a sunscreen spray on your hair and limit sun exposure on your hair if possible.
Over washing Your Hair
Washing your hair too often can also lead to split ends. When we wash our hair, the natural oils are stripped from the hair, leaving it feeling “licked.” However, doing this too often without giving your hair extra moisture can lead to breakage.
If dandruff is affecting your scalp while you are working to improve the condition of your hair lengths, choosing an appropriate shampoo can be an important part of your routine. For readers looking for more information about a specific anti-dandruff product, see our guide to Sebamed Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.
Excessive Use Of Hair Styling Tools
Artificial heat can also negatively impact the overall health of your hair. Using styling tools like curling irons and flat irons without a heat protectant can create unnecessary splits and lead to brittle hair.
Chemical Treatments Such As Perms And Bleaching
Updating your everyday look with a perm, a new color, and experimenting with your hair can be fun. But hair bleaching is done incorrectly (or too often) and can cause significant damage and lead to split ends.
Finding the right washing routine is important when dealing with damaged ends. If your roots become oily quickly, you may be tempted to wash your hair more frequently, but the lengths still need gentle care. If you struggle with excess oil, learn more about greasy hair and how to manage oily roots.
Not Getting Regular Haircuts
Another of the most common causes of split ends is simply not getting enough trims. Hair wears out over time. Too long a gap between haircuts also helps.
Exposing Hair To Excessively Hard Water
Along with exposure to the sun, hard water, such as that found in pools or salt water, can harm hair and, along with other hair problems.
Conclusion
It doesn’t stop with just a few changes to your daily hair care routine. It’s also about using the right products. For example, applying products like hairspray and shine serum after styling your hair. An exception is the heat protection spray, which should always be applied before using hot styling tools.
Preventing split ends requires consistent care rather than relying on a single product. Gentle washing, careful brushing, conditioning, reducing excessive heat, and protecting the ends can all help minimize damage. For more practical advice, explore these hair care tips to keep your hair healthy.
