Split ends are frustrating. When you end up dealing with split ends, your hair can be difficult to style and grow. Your hair often becomes dry and difficult to work with. In fact, split ends are the most common hair complaint among women today.
What Exactly Is a Split End? If hair becomes damaged, the outer layer, or the cuticle, begins to crack, which exposes the inner cortex of the hair. After the hair’s internal structure becomes exposed, it quickly becomes dry and weak, which results in split ends. Split ends also have the ability to move up your hair shaft.
The only way to completely eliminate split ends is to cut your hair. However, if you don’t want to cut your hair or you’re in between visits to the salon, you can use some simple tips to reduce the damage and prevent more problems with split ends.
Here are some helpful tips you can use at home to eliminate split ends.
① Egg and Avocado Treatment
You’ll Need:
- 1 avocado, pitted and skinned
- 1 egg white
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
① Puree the avocado in a blender and mix with olive oil and the egg whites until you obtain a creamy consistency like conditioner.
② Apply the mixture to each section of your hair, cover with a shower cap and let sit for 30 – 45 minutes.
③ Shampoo and rinse thoroughly and style as usual.
② Papaya Pack
Papaya is filled with amino acids and proteins that help restore hair’s natural shine and softness while removing build-up and residue from cleaning products and chemicals.
Yogurt is rich in lactic acid and has natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that work to stimulate hair growth and fight dandruff by acting as a natural cleanser that tightens and clarifies the pores on your scalp.
You’ll Need:
- 1 papaya, de-seeded and skinned
- 1 cup plain yogurt
Directions:
① Grab your de-seeded and skinned papayas as well as the yogurt and throw them in a blender to make a puree or until you obtain a smooth consistency.
② Apply the mixture to your hair, and cover with a shower cap and let it sit for 30 – 45 minutes. Wash off the mixture and rinse thoroughly.
③ Beer Rinse
So now you have all the reason to stock up for the 6-packs. It may sound ridiculous but beer does delightful things for a person’s scalp as it is popular for treating dry hair. The malt nourishes and smooths your locks, while yeast fortifies your hair strands and inflate the volume.
Directions:
① Use a spray bottle and fill it with leftover beer and spray it on your dry hair.
② Use a wide-tooth comb to gently comb your hair after application. This way, you will be spreading the beer onto your hair properly.
③ Just make sure to shampoo and rinse completely to eliminate the reeks of beer scent.
④ Hot Oil Treatment
You’ll Need:
- Olive oil or castor oil or almond oil or coconut oil
Directions:
① This is a very popular treatment not only for hair splits but also to moisturize your hair.
② Warm the oil and massage your hair with it, from head to the ends. You can use any one oil or all together in equal amounts.
③ Make sure you let the oil cool down and apply the warm oil. Massage and then cover your hair with a shower cap for 30-40 minutes.
④ This absorbs the nutrients, gives a smooth look to your hair and also removes split ends. Wash your hair properly with shampoo.
⑤ Oil treatment moisturizes your dry, damaged hair.
Because Prevention is Better than Cure
While you still need to cut your hair from time to time, you don’t always need to cut those split ends off if you’re in between hair trims. Use these tips to treat and prevent split ends in the future.
Tip #1 – Reduce the Amount of Heat You Use
One of the most common causes of split ends is heat since heat significantly reduces the natural moisture balance of your hair. The hair’s protein structure is also temporarily altered by heat, which can result in trauma to the hair.
Repeatedly using heated hair tools, such as blow dryers and flat irons, should definitely be avoided. If you have to use heat to style your hair, make sure you use a heat protectant first to prevent more problems with split ends.
Tip #2 – Stop Using So Many Chemicals
Stop using so many chemicals in your hair if you want to eliminate split ends. Chemical processes, such as perms, highlights, coloring, and straightening, can result in trauma that breaks down the hair cuticle.
Split ends can easily occur if the cuticle has been weakened. Limit the number of chemical treatments you have done. Instead of having multiple chemical treatments, stick with just one if you have to.
After a chemical treatment, avoid washing hair for a minimum of 48 hours after the treatment, since hair is more porous and can easily break and split after a chemical treatment.
Tip #3 – Start Using a Wide-Tooth Comb
When you condition your hair, use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the conditioner through your hair while eliminating tangles.
Trying to brush out hair that has been roughed up after towel drying can result in breakage, so eliminate tangles with your wide-tooth comb when you condition instead.
Tip #4 – Deep Condition Hair
If you want to prevent split ends, you need to deep condition your hair. Deep conditioners help to lubricate your hair fibers, ensuring they stay supple and soft.
A deep conditioner also helps to protect hair from humidity, the sun, and the wind. Protein treatments may also help, since they help to reinforce the hair shaft and the cuticle, preventing problems with breakage, chipping, and peeling.
Tip #5 – Have Regular Cuts or Trims
No matter what hair type or hairstyle you have, it’s important to have regular cuts or trims. It’s a good rule of thumb to have at least a trim done every 6-8 weeks.
If you wait longer to trim your hair, split ends may get worse and begin traveling up your hair shaft.
Tip #6 – Take Biotin and Folic Acid
The things you eat will affect your hair, and the structure of your locks is sustained by nutrients. Two of the most important vitamins in your hair are biotin and folic acid.
Studies show that these nutrients help to supplement hair thickness, length, and health. You can find biotin in lentils, sunflower seeds, soybeans, walnuts, peas, and brown rice, and this nutrient works to strengthen your nails and your hair.
Folic acid can be found in oranges, wheat products, green leafy veggies, and soybeans, and it helps with red blood cell production, which aids in the growth of your hair.
eggs!eeeeww I cant use eggs,and my husband hates split ends.he is very strict military man kinda man and he really yells,please help,can you give me an alternate to eggs!
How often can I do egg and avocado treatment?
Wow, nice tips.. sure I will try… thanks alot.