How to repair split ends—and the daily habits that might be causing them

Split ends have always evoked the knee-jerk reaction of heading to the salon for a trim, but beyond chopping off the offending sections, it pays to understand what causes your hair to split into two in the first place, and to then evaluate your haircare regimen to nip the issue in the bud. From brushing hair too vigorously to not applying heat protection, the culprits are strewn all over your daily haircare routine. Adhuna Bhabani, founder and creative director at BBLUNT, and Preeti Singh, director of Rock Paper Scissor Salon, put together a handy cheatsheet to help you decode the scientific speak. Read on to learn how you can get rid of those severed edges, and keep them gone.

What are split ends?

Split ends, as the name suggests, is when the ends of your hair split into two, but they can be symptomatic of acute cuticle damage as well. “Split ends are caused by wear and tear from natural, environmental and mechanical factors. Excessive use of heat styling tools and chemical treatments can leave hair severely damaged. When a strand of hair splits, it tends to travel right up to the roots, hence it is essential to either repair the damaged strand or chop it off. Damaged hair not only lacks moisture and lustre, but elasticity too, and this makes it more prone to breakage and ultimately, increased hair fall,” Bhabani explains.

These everyday haircare habits can help reduce split ends

Since prevention is better than cure, it is time to put your daily haircare regimen under the scanner. “It is imperative to limit the use of heat tools, such as hair dryers, hot rollers, flat irons or curling tongs. Not protecting your hair with a heat protectant serum or post a chemical treatment can leave strands severely damaged. Applying heat to hair without using any styling product before is the equivalent of subjecting your skin to the sun without sunblock. It is also essential to trim your hair every six to eight weeks, not just to maintain the shape of your haircut, but also to get rid of the split ends,” elaborates the Mumbai-based hairstylist. Singh adds, “Subjecting your hair to harsh brushing can also weaken the structure. Opt for wide-toothed combs, and if strands are very tangled, finger-comb first to ease up the knots before brushing them out. It is also advisable to apply some form of a leave-in serum before stepping out in the sun, and ensure that the last rinse of your shower involves lukewarm or cold water to sufficiently seal the cuticle.”

Treat split ends with some help from the pantry

While it is heartening to know that a magic ingredient you already have in the kitchen can help treat the problem, Singh advises taking some time out to understand the issue at hand to gain better insight into which ingredients can work as a solution. “Argan oil is a great way to treat split ends, primarily because it is highly nourishing for damaged hair. Opt for a thorough oiling ritual at least once a week, or even twice if your hair is severely dehydrated. When shopping for hair masks, look for options that contain biotin, as it works on repairing the hair shaft. You can also consider including dietary supplements such as folic acid to fortify your hair from within,” she recommends. While these will not glue back already split hair strands, they will help add strength to the shaft and prevent further damage.

Salon treatments for split ends

“Salon treatments would depend on the severity of the damage. The thing about hair damage is that it’s gradual, [and thus] so should be the course of treatment. Anything from deep conditioning treatments to a regular trim or a haircut can help get rid of split ends and keep the hair looking and feeling healthy,” says Bhabani. “The L’Oréal Series Expert Enforcer contains biotin and Vitamin B6 that directly work on repairing weakened hair and restore shine, while the Smartbond treatment shields coloured hair from further damage as a sufficient form of pre-protection,” adds Singh. Bhabhani also gives an easy solution you can try at home. “First cleanse your scalp and hair with a repair shampoo, and then apply a repairing conditioner for damaged ends. (She likes the B Blunt Repair Conditioner.) Starting at the ends, work the product up to the mid-lengths of your hair. Massage or knead the product thoroughly through the hair and wrap it in a hot towel for 10 minutes as a quick fix for deep conditioning. The argan oil in the formula has moisturising and nourishing properties that dry and damage hair needs,” she says.

Also read:

5 DIY hair masks you can whip up at home to fight dry hair issues

7 reasons why your hair might be breaking more than usual

How to make your hair grow longer and healthier