To be honest, there’s so much more to know about split ends than meets the eye—here’s everything you need to know about spotting them, preventing them, and hiding them for an ultra-sleek style, from experts. If the end of your strand breaks into two, three, or even four smaller, thinner lengths, then you’ve got split ends. Split ends are a form of naturally occurring hair damage, meaning they’re unavoidable for everyone—but can be limited with proper hair care basics. If you’re getting feathered splits frequently, then you should take some time to evaluate your scalp health too—start here. So if you skip a trim, your split ends might turn into deeper splits or tree splits, but everyone’s hair is unique, and your strands may even be sprinkled with both. These topical protectant formulas coat your strands with a buffering layer of nutrients that help absorb the damage that comes from hot tools. What’s more, heat protectants often contain smoothing ingredients that will make your style look even better—here are clean options to add to your routine ASAP. If you can’t avoid sleeping on wet hair (life happens, we get it), at least try to lay your head on a satin or silk pillowcase to mitigate any unnecessary pulling or friction. The best route of action is to load up on a detanger (here are some DIY options) or leave-in conditioner. These coat the strands in a protective barrier, making the fiber less vulnerable to wear and tear. “If you must detangle your hair after showering, I recommend sticking solely to a wide-toothed comb and gently detangling starting at the tips and working up to the root,” Reavey says. And if you have a knot, tread lightly. “When you come across a snag, be nice to your hair and work through it like a necklace as opposed to trying to rip through it,” Hailey Nagel, stylist and educator for Innersense Organic Beauty, tells mbg. “Sulfate and silicone-free shampoos and products work to keep the scalp microbiome balanced, giving the hair the best opportunity to strengthen and grow,” Reavey notes. Always follow up with a hydrating conditioner on the lengths as well. Unless you have something sticky stuck in your strands, you probably don’t need to scrub the lengths at all—the runoff will get the job done just fine. It’s best to keep your shower water lukewarm—that goes for washing your hair and your body. If you do want to invest in a trusty towel, this one from Act + Acre is a top seller—and for good reason. “This towel dries hair 50% faster, all while reducing excess friction. No more frizz and damaged hair strands,” Reavey says. Best practice for trims is every three months for the sake of hair health. If you want to keep your cut looking aesthetically polished, then your trim schedule will depend on the length and style of your hair—you can read more about that here. Be sure to trim your hair every few months and nourish your ends to prevent them from breaking in half…or two…or three splits. And if you need your strands to look extra fab ASAP—a hair mask might do the trick, so here are our top picks if you’re on the hunt.
