How to get rid of split ends for good

How to treat split ends

Split ends are caused, among other things, by your hair ends being damaged by chemical products and treatments such as hair dye or chemical stretching. Split ends can be frustrating and seem impossible to get rid of once you have them. The hair looks frizzy and dull and what's worse - split ends can extend up the hair shaft, leading to breakage.

So what can you do?

Unfortunately, you can't fix split ends. You can cover them with leave-in masks or smoothing balms or glue them together, but after repeated washing or brushing they will come loose again. The only sure cure for split ends is to cut them off - and prevent them from coming back!

But don't worry, there's plenty you can do at home to protect your hair from split ends (as we'll explain below). However, if you would prefer to seek professional help, we are of course also available in person.

How to remove split ends

Simply trimming your hair will not get rid of all split ends. Why? Because your hair is different lengths all over your head (due to the different growth phases of the individual follicles).

Try these simple tricks to cut them all off while maintaining your hard-won length. It takes a while, but it's a very effective exercise if you want to grow your hair long without split ends. All you need is a patient and trustworthy hairdresser or a good friend to help you:

• Divide the hair into small sections.
• Twist it from the tips like a corkscrew.
• The different lengths of hair stick out along each "twist" and show where the split ends are.
• Cut off the split ends and work your way along each section of hair until you have removed all the split ends.

How to prevent split ends

Brush gently

If you brush a sweater roughly and repeatedly, it will weaken and fray. The same applies to hair!

Loosen tangles

Use a wide-toothed comb to remove knots and tangles. Start at the ends and work your way gently towards the roots. If you start at the top or use a brush, your hair can kink along the shaft and leave split ends in the lengths.

Pre-shampoo hair mask

Depending on your hair texture, use an intensive pre-shampoo hair mask such as Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer once or twice a week to keep the ends supple and moisturized. This is even more important if you have less than shoulder-length or chemically treated hair, as the ends are naturally more weathered. Wet or damp hair is more elastic and therefore less prone to split ends.

A weekly repair cure

Another effective way to reduce split ends is to use intensive treatments aimed at repairing damage (which is responsible for snapping and splitting hair). Philip Kingsley's Bond Builder Restructuring Treatment, for example, is designed to strengthen and repair the bonds in the hair and has been proven to make hair up to three times more resistant to split ends. With regular use, your hair will be less brittle, you will see less split ends and the strands will be more resistant to breakage.

For the healthiest hair possible with maximum protection against split ends and hair breakage, our trichologists recommend two treatments a week before shampooing, alternating with the Elasticizer deep conditioning treatment and the Bond Builder restorative treatment.

Gentle drying with the towel

If you rub your hair roughly with the towel while drying, you can cause knots and also damage your scalp. Instead, gently squeeze the excess moisture out of your hair.

Use the hairdryer sparingly

Use a lower heat setting. Excessive drying can dry out your ends, which is one of the main causes of split ends!

Wear UV protection

UV rays damage the hair proteins and make your hair dry and brittle. So if you spend a long time in the sun, protect your hair with a UV protectant or wear a hat.

If you would like to learn more about the risks and benefits of different hair treatments, our HAARKLINIK specializes in all aspects of hair and scalp health. We would be delighted to welcome you to our clinic.

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