Tips For Preventing Split Ends - by Editor

Are you coping with split ends? Split ends and damaged hair are common hair problems faced by many women. Read on to find the common causes of split ends and tips and remedies for coping with split ends.

When hair loses its lustre and moisture, damage is inevitable. Brittle hair ends is a common hair problem and there are ways to prevent this kind of hair damage. Primary cause of split ends is dry, brittle hair follicles. This happens when the naturally occurring layer of protection on the scalp is destroyed. Excessive washing, harsh combing or teasing and not following simple everyday hair care regimen can lead to this problem. In certain rare cases hair health can also be affected by circumstances beyond ones control like harsh winds or extremely dry climate.

Common Causes of Split Ends

Here are some of the common causes of split ends.

• Over-brushing, heat styling and chemical processing are some of the most common reasons for hair damage and split ends.
• Chlorine content in pool waters is also capable of drying out the natural moisture content of hair which may cause split ends.
• Saline beach water can cause split ends.
• Frequent hair colouring or perming and hair styling can damage the hair thereby causing split ends.
• Excessive exposure to sun is also one of the common causes of split ends.
• Wearing tight hair accessories and brushing wet hair can also cause split ends.

How to Prevent Split Ends

Lot of misconceptions and myths are there about causes of hair split ends and remedies to prevent it. Let us have a look at some simple things which you can do to prevent hair damage split ends.

Regular Hair Trims

- Ideally to avoid split ends hair trims at intervals of two months is recommended. Trimming off an inch or two is sufficient to get rid of split ends commonly found at multiple lower hair shaft points and on the visible tips of the damaged hair strands. Although it may cost money, it is best get your hair trimmed by a qualified hair stylist only.

Avoid Exposure to Heat

- As far as possible do not expose hair to heat. Limit the use of use of blow dryers, straightening irons, hot curlers or any such other heat hair styling products. Although, gentle sunshine will not cause much harm, harsh summer sun can cause hair damage. Hence, you must avoid over exposure to sun and wear hat or any other head gear to cover the head and hair when outdoors.

Avoid Hair Products With Harsh Chemicals

- Chemically based products are capable of harming your skin, body and hair. Most of us are unaware that daily-use bath products like soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners contain harsh chemicals. If you are seriously looking to get rid of split ends, you must carefully read the labels for all hair products that you make use. You can thus ensure that these products do not contain anything capable of causing permanent hair damage. In fact there are plenty of natural, healthy alternatives available in the market today which you can consider making use of.

Home Remedy for Preventing Split Ends

For maintaining healthy hair and preventing split ends here is a useful home remedy that you can make use of.

• Combine one spoon each of castor oil, mustard oil, and olive oil.
• In case if have only two of these oils, mix the two together in a bowl and gently apply the mixture on your scalp completely from the roots to the tips.
• Cover your head with a shower cap to ensure that oil does not affect your face or the forehead.
• Take a towel big enough to lie down on and run hot water over it. Make sure that the water is not extremely hot and do not cause burns.
• Wring out the towel, and place it on your hair for around twenty minutes.
• Wash your hair with the shampoo and conditioner which your normally use. Repeat this treatment once a month to keep split ends at bay.

Split ends are evidence of your not paying enough attention to hair care. All that is required to avoid split ends is to follow the abovementioned tips so as to keep your hair healthy from root to tip.

What are the common causes of split ends? How to prevent split ends? What are the home remedies for split ends? To share your experiences, views, and tips, click here.