Split ends happen to most of us, and once you notice their presence in your hair, it can be difficult to avoid focusing on them. But what are split ends? In short, they are fibrous hairs that grow out after your hair is damaged. While a few split ends are usually not a cause for concern, having multiple split ends usually means your hair care routine needs improvement. Split ends can make your hair look dull and frizzy, making it difficult for the strands to fold and leading to breakage.

What are split ends?

To understand what split ends are, you need to know the structure of your hair. Each hair consists of an inner sheath surrounded by an outer protective layer called the cuticle. The cuticle is made up of individual "scales" that, in healthy hair, lie flat to help moisturize the hair and protect it from damage.

If the cuticles are damaged — which can happen after exposure to environmental stressors, certain hair care treatments or — friction, the scales can fall off. Increased exposure to the elements can cause hair to split vertically, leading to visible dead ends.

How to identify split ends

Split ends are sometimes dry and brittle, but they can also be tender so they're not always easy to spot. If you really want to know if your hair has split ends, look at each individual hair strand. There will be small cuts at the end of the hair. Severe split ends can look like small trees with branches growing in one direction or the other. In some cases, the ends of your hair may be white or lighter than the rest of your hair.

Some signs of split ends include:

• Hair is frizzy or split ends
• Rough or uneven texture at the ends of the hair
• Hair looks thinner towards the ends
• Dull color at the tail
• Hair breaks more easily when brushed

5 split ends hairstyles you should know

Split ends can come in many forms. First, learn about five common types of split ends and how to identify each one.

1. How to part your hair in the traditional way

Traditional split ends occur when hair splits along the middle of the hair shaft. If you pay close attention, you'll see that the ends of your hair seem to form a "Y".

2. Divide hair into sections

Parting your hair in sections feels more like fraying than actually parting your hair. This type of split ends can develop when hair is dry or dehydrated — and unlike other types of split ends, it can usually be resolved with restorative hair treatments (like masks or specialized conditioners). deep). You can use Nubeà Sustenia Maintenance Oil - Damaged Hair 200ml . Nubea Sustenia conditioning oil has the ability to restore damaged hair

3. Separate your hair in a tree style

This type of split ends is one of the most severe forms of split ends and is also one of the most common forms of split ends. Instead of splitting the tops once in the middle, split the tops in a tree-like fashion with multiple splits along the length of the stem. You can recognize this type of split ends by its branch-like shape.

4. Split the ends in a feather style

Split ends of this type are similar to tree split ends in that they involve multiple split ends. But instead of looking like a tree with many branches growing out of it, the feathers' cracks look softer and the cracks may be less obvious. This type of split ends can make your hair look bouncy or curly.

5. Incomplete division

Incomplete split ends are as the name suggests: split ends do not form completely. This condition occurs when the hair weakens but the ends of the hair have not yet divided into two separate parts. These types of split ends can look like a sewing needle, with intact hairs representing the shaft of the needle and incomplete split ends representing the eye of the needle.

What causes split ends of hair?

Split ends are caused by damage to the outer cuticle layer of the hair, which as mentioned before can occur after exposure to environmental stressors, chemicals, heat or ghosts. close. Read on for a summary of seven common factors that can lead to split, brittle ends.

1. Brush your hair too much

Not long ago, people believed that brushing their hair 100 times a day would make it softer and shinier. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), that is a misconception. Brushing your hair too much creates friction, which can damage the outer cuticle layer of your hair and make it susceptible to damage. Instead, brush your hair just enough to detangle (and gently!).

2. Heat styling

It's no surprise that using hot styling tools can cause damage to your hair (and therefore, make it more susceptible to split ends). Try to limit your use of hot styling tools and use a heat protectant when doing so to help protect your hair from unnecessary damage.

3. Tying your hair too tight

Not only is heat styling damaging, but some hairstyles (even heat-free styles!) can be harmful, too. The AAD warns against constantly tightening hairstyles such as cornrows, cornrows, ponytails, or buns because these hairstyles will pull on the hair and cause stress leading to hair breakage.

4. Some hair accessories

Avoid tying your hair with rubber bands or clips that are too tight as these high-tension accessories can cause hair to break. If you tie your hair, choose silk or satin hair ties. Slippery fabrics will create less friction on your hair, helping to minimize damage.

5. Bleaching and dyeing

The chemicals in bleach and permanent hair dye cause the scales on the outer cuticle layer of your hair to raise (and by design - that raised layer is how the dye or bleach penetrates your hair). Of course, when the cuticle is damaged in this way, the likelihood of split ends and other types of hair damage is higher. Proper hair care before and after dyeing can help minimize damage.

6. Chemical treatment

Like hair dye treatments, treatments like curling and straightening contain chemicals that lift the outer cuticle layer of the hair. To minimize damage, try to limit the amount of chemical treatments and prioritize thorough hair care between salon visits.

7. Dry towel

You may be tempted to dry your hair with a towel wrapped around your body after a shower, but we don't recommend doing so: the towel can be too rough on your hair, and rubbing it against wet hair will create friction that can lead to breakage. hair. Instead, wrap your hair in a microfiber cloth or cotton t-shirt after showering to help absorb excess water without damaging your hair.