Split ends are more than just a cosmetic nuisance—they indicate damage and weakening of your hair. But what causes split ends, and how can you address them?
From chemical treatments to everyday habits like brushing, various factors contribute to their formation.
In this article, we explore the types of split ends, their underlying causes, and actionable ways to prevent them, ensuring your hair remains strong and healthy.
Types of Split Ends
There are six major types of split ends:
1. Simple Small – A minor split at the very end of the hair strand.
2. Simple Large – Larger splits that reach further up the hair shaft.
3. Complex – These splits are more severe, with multiple offshoots.
4. Split, Not at End – These occur somewhere along the length of the hair, not necessarily at the tip.
5. Split Off Step – The hair breaks in a “step” pattern, creating a jagged appearance.
6. Split in Middle – The hair splits in the middle of the strand, separating into two distinct pieces.
Each type represents different levels of hair damage. However, they all point to one apparent problem: your hair is under stress and breaking down.
How Split Ends Form
Split ends occur when the outer protective layer of the hair, known as the cuticle, becomes damaged. Once this layer is compromised, the hair’s inner cortex is exposed.
The cortex is where the hair’s structural strength resides. When exposed, it weakens and breaks apart, causing split ends.
Daily activities such as brushing, combing, or even running your fingers through your hair can contribute to this damage.
When you brush through the ends of your hair, the strands wrap around the comb’s teeth. If your hair is already fragile, this added force can cause the hair to snap.
This breakage starts at the cortex and works its way out, splitting the hair.
The damage is worse when the hair is dry or exposed to heat. Hair also becomes more prone to splitting when subjected to chemical treatments or sunlight.
Regular mechanical stress weakens the hair over time, eventually causing the ends to split.
What Causes Split Ends
Several factors can lead to split ends. By understanding these causes, you can take steps to prevent further damage.
1. Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments such as bleaching, colouring, and perming can severely weaken your hair. These treatments lift the cuticle to allow the chemicals to penetrate the hair shaft.
In the process, they strip moisture from the hair and disrupt its internal structure. As a result, hair becomes dry and prone to splitting.
Bleaching is particularly damaging because it removes the natural pigment from the hair, weakening the strands and making them more likely to break.
Colouring without bleach can also be harmful, as it still involves altering the hair’s natural structure.
2. Friction
Brushing, combing, towel drying, and tight hairstyles create friction that wears down the hair shaft. Over time, this repeated friction can cause breakage and split ends.
Even small habits like running your fingers through your hair can create enough friction to weaken the strands.
Towel drying is a common cause of split ends. Rubbing a regular towel on wet hair can cause it to tangle and break, particularly for those with fine or damaged hair.
3. Heat Styling
Heat tools such as straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers can cause significant hair damage. The intense heat dries out the hair, leaving it brittle and prone to splitting.
Blow drying is especially harmful because it combines heat with mechanical stress.
Even if you use heat tools carefully, they will strip away the natural oils.
4. Sun Exposure
The sun’s UV rays don’t just harm your skin—they also break down the proteins in your hair.
UV exposure can weaken the cuticle and cause the hair to become dry and brittle. Over time, this makes the hair more likely to split.
Prolonged sun exposure without protection can significantly degrade the hair’s structure.
5. Shampoos and Hair Products
Some shampoos can contribute to hair damage. Anti-dandruff shampoos, for example, often contain active ingredients like ketoconazole and selenium sulfide.
While these ingredients effectively treat scalp issues, they can make the hair more fragile. To avoid damage, apply these shampoos only to the scalp, not to the hair ends.
Certain styling products, such as those with alcohol, can also dry out the hair, making it more prone to split ends.
It is important to choose products that nourish and protect hair rather than dehydrate it.
How to Prevent Split Ends
Preventing split ends requires a combination of good hair care practices and avoiding harmful treatments.
Below are some effective strategies for maintaining healthy hair and preventing splits:
1. Condition Regularly
Conditioning your hair after every wash helps keep it hydrated and smooth.
Conditioner works by sealing the cuticle, protecting the inner cortex from exposure. It also helps reduce friction, making the hair less likely to split when combed or brushed.
Applying conditioner to the ends of your hair can help keep it soft and prevent damage.
2. Opt for Tapered Haircuts
Straight, blunt haircuts put more stress on the hair ends, making them more prone to splitting.
Research shows that blunt cuts increase the force on the hair’s ends by four to five times compared to tapered cuts.
A tapered haircut means cutting the hair at different lengths, which helps distribute the stress more evenly and reduces the likelihood of split ends.
3. Minimize Heat Styling
Heat styling tools like straighteners and curling irons can cause significant damage to hair. If you need to use heat, always apply a heat protectant spray beforehand.
These products contain ingredients like silicone that create a protective barrier on the hair, reducing the damage caused by high temperatures.
Try to limit the use of heat tools to special occasions and opt for air-drying whenever possible. When blow drying, use the lowest heat setting to reduce damage.
4. Use UV Protection
Like skin, hair is vulnerable to UV damage. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, use hair products that contain UV filters to shield your hair from the sun.
Alternatively, a hat can protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays.
UV protection is important for people with dyed or chemically treated hair, as it is more prone to UV damage.
5. Be Gentle When Brushing
Brush your hair with care. Start detangling from the ends and work your way up to avoid pulling on the hair shaft.
Use a wide-tooth comb or a brush with widely spaced bristles to minimize friction and stress on the hair.
Wet hair is most vulnerable to breakage, so avoid brushing it. If you must brush it, use a detangler to help the brush glide through smoothly.
6. Protect Hair at Night
Silk pillowcases and scrunchies are great tools to prevent hair damage while you sleep. Cotton pillowcases create friction, which can lead to tangles and breakage.
On the other hand, silk pillowcases allow the hair to slide smoothly, reducing the risk of split ends.
Silk scrunchies are also gentler on the hair compared to regular elastics, which can pull and break hair strands.
7. Regular Haircuts
The most effective way to deal with split ends is to get regular haircuts. Trimming your hair every 8 to 12 weeks removes the damaged ends before they can worsen.
Regular trims prevent split ends from moving up the hair shaft and damaging more of your hair.
Temporary Fixes for Split Ends
No treatment or product can repair split ends. However, temporary solutions can help manage them.
Products containing polyelectrolyte complexes, like polyquaternium 28 and PVM/MA copolymer, can temporarily seal split ends.
These products bind the split ends together, but the effect wears off with washing.
For example, the Oribe Split End Seal is a popular product that temporarily fixes split ends and provides heat protection.
However, the only permanent solution is to trim the ends regularly.
Conclusion
Split ends are a sign of damaged hair, but you can manage them with the proper care.
Preventing split ends involves minimizing heat styling, avoiding chemical treatments, and protecting hair from the sun.
Regular conditioning and trims are essential for keeping hair healthy. By following these tips, you can maintain strong, smooth hair and avoid the frustration of split ends.
FAQs
Are split ends normal?
Split ends are common and happen to most people. They occur when the outer layer of the hair wears down. Everyday actions like brushing or heat styling can weaken hair, making split ends more likely.
While they are normal, regular trims help control their spread. Using the right products also keeps hair healthier and reduces the occurrence of split ends.
Can split ends be fixed?
Split ends cannot be fixed once they appear. The damage to the hair shaft is permanent. Products like masks and serums can smooth the appearance.
However, they cannot reattach the split fibres. Trimming is the best solution. It prevents further splitting and damage. Regular trims and gentle care help keep hair healthy.
Do split ends prevent hair growth?
Split ends do not prevent hair growth. Hair grows from the roots, not the ends. However, untreated split ends can cause breakage, which makes hair appear thinner and less healthy.
Breakage impacts the ability to retain length. Regular trims help maintain longer and healthier hair.
Can split ends lead to hair fall?
Split ends do not cause hair to fall directly. They damage the ends, not the roots. Untreated split ends can lead to breakage, which can cause hair strands to snap off.
This breakage may give the appearance of thinning or hair loss. Regular trims and nourishing products help reduce breakage and maintain healthier hair.
