Split ends and damaged hair invariably go hand in hand. Your hair shaft will weaken and its tips will get frayed. The hair splits into two or more branches, hence the name split ends. Hair with split ends bears a lacklustre appearance, is often dry and near impossible to manage. It may not seem like something big, but split ends are a wake-up call to those who have been neglecting their hair care routine. Seeking hair treatment for split ends does not have to end up in hair fall. All you need to do is know what causes split ends, the type and symptoms of split ends before beginning treatment.
6 Common Types Of Split Ends
Split ends have been classified into several types based on the way the hair shaft has split. The types of split ends have been described below along with their appearance.
1. Basic Split
This type of damage is observed at the beginning of the onset of split ends. Hair cuticle may be damaged, but the cortical layer is quite intact.
Symptoms:
- Dry and damaged hair with a dull appearance
- End of the hair shaft may or may not be split into two
Treatment which will hydrate the hair is suitable for this type of split ends. There are several effective home remedies for split ends and hair growth which are helpful in such cases.
2. Fork Split
Getting diagnosed with a fork split is indicative of long-standing hair damage that has been left untreated.
Symptoms:
- Clearly visible splitting of hair tips into two or more branches
- Significant damage to the hair shaft
- Significant hair fall
More long-lasting treatment with regular conditioning, hair spa and hair masks will help in treating a fork split. Additional use of home remedies for split ends is also recommended.
3. Tree Split
Tree split is named this way due to the appearance of affected hair ends which resembles branches of a tree.
Symptoms:
- Hair tips split into multiple branches
- Little to no growth in the length of hair
- Hair may develop frizz in some cases
If you notice tree splits in your hair, you need an urgent haircut followed by an immediate consultation with a trichologist. You can also resort to home remedies for frizzy hair and split ends.
4. Candle Split
Candle split is usually an indication of heavy loss of the outer cuticle of the hair shaft along with the weakening of the hair cortex.
Symptoms:
- Thinning of cuticle towards the tip of hair with the intact cuticle of the upper shaft
- Candle-like appearance of the hair strand
- Absence of split hair tips
Trimming the tips of hair will ensure that the candle split is taken care of temporarily. However, if further treatment is not started immediately the new hair that grows will develop candle split again which may progress to split ends.
5. Feather Split
Feathers are soft and light and reminiscent of pillow fights we had in childhood. Feather split ends won’t leave you with such good memories though. They tend to occur when split ends have been ignored for quite a long time.
Symptoms:
- Hair tips split into multiple branches observed more on one side of the hair shaft.
- Dry and damaged hair
- Unexplained hair fall
It is time for an emergency trip to the salon for a hair trim. Consult with a trichologist immediately to begin treatment for your split ends.
6. The Knot
Women with curly hair are forever in a dilemma about managing and styling their hair. You do not want to face the knot unless you are really patient about having a bad hair day.
Symptoms:
- A bunch of hair that knots towards the tips
- Damaged cuticle and cortex of the hair causing recurrent entangling of hair
- Damaged hair texture
- Loss of hair lustre
Using herbal hair products that are free of chemicals works well to prevent knot formation.
What Causes Split Ends?
It is very important to know what causes split ends before taking up treatment. Recurrent exposure to factors mentioned below triggers the onset of split ends.
1. Chemical Hair Products
Frequent use of shampoos, hair conditioners, hair spray and other products having a chemical base may lead to hair damage and split ends. An alternative solution to this is using herbal products for grooming your hair.
2. Exposure To Harsh Weather
You may enjoy soaking up some sun on the beach or getting drenched in the rains or even throwing snowballs at your pals. While this is all enjoyable if done once in a while, recurrent exposure to harsh weather conditions or harsh wind will leave you with split ends in your hair.
3. Excessive Hair Styling
Celebrities, television personalities, social media influences may be victims of the constant use of hairstyling tools and products. Using hairdryers, straighteners, heating rods to the curl hair on a regular basis has a damaging effect on the hair. Damaged hair is more likely to develop split ends.
4. Irregular Hair Care
Hair needs nurturing with regular oiling, washing and conditioning. Failure to follow a good hair care routine often leads to the development of split ends.
8 Effective Home Remedies For Split Ends
You don’t need to book several trips to the beauty salon. Try some of these amazing home remedies for split ends that work wonders.
1. Curd (Dahi)
Curd (dahi) is one of the most easily available foods in any home. A few spoonfuls of it is all that stands between you and the end of your split ends. Curd enables moisturization of hair and prevents hair breakage.
How To Use:
- Mix 4 portions of curd, with one portion each of olive oil or coconut oil and honey.
- Apply this mixture from roots to tips of your hair.
- Rinse your hair with a good shampoo after an hour.
2. Banana Hair Mask
Bananas are known for their beneficial effect on a number of health disorders. They also promote good hair growth. Banana provides more tensile strength to the hair, thereby preventing their breakage. It is one of the best hair masks for split ends treatment. A banana hair pack may help with hair that’s frizzy due to banana’s high silica content
How To Use:
- Prepare a puree using one ripe banana.
- Add a spoonful of coconut milk to the puree (coconut oil may be used as an alternative)
- Apply this mixture to the hair barring the hair roots.
- Rinse off after 2 hours using a herbal shampoo
3. Honey Mask
One of the best natural sweeteners, honey provides a good conditioning effect on hair. Here is a simple DIY honey mask to combat split ends. Honey helps to retain moisture in the hair and prevents drying and breakage.
How To Use:
- Mix 4 portions of honey with 3 portions of milk.
- Apply this paste to your hair.
- Leave it for an hour before rinsing with a chemical-free shampoo.
4. Lemon Juice
Lemon adds a certain tanginess to the food and a certain attractive look to your hair. Lemon juice is known for its therapeutic benefits against split ends. Lemon will cleanse the hair by removing accumulated dust and debris thereby restoring their moisture and shine.
How To Use:
- Mix 2-4 teaspoons of lemon juice in one litre of water.
- After rinsing your hair with a good shampoo, use the prepared lemon water to wash the hair.
- Do not wash your hair with plain water after this is done.
- Pat your hair dry with a soft towel without rubbing your scalp vigorously.
5. Coconut Oil
There are no two opinions about the efficacy of coconut oil in promoting hair growth. Most people use coconut oil for their routine hair care. Coconut oil prevents split ends by hydrating all layers of the hair shaft.
How To Use:
- Massage your hair from scalp to tips using a generous amount of coconut oil.
- Warm coconut oil will have a moisturizing effect on the hair.
- Leave it overnight and rinse your hair with a good herbal shampoo the next day.
Tip: Not just for hair nourishment, coconut oil is an excellent solution for nail growth too. If you’re looking for how to grow nails that are long and strong, here are some home remedies.
6. Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)
A lesser-known item used for split ends treatment is fenugreek (methi). Fenugreek seeds are often used in Indian cooking which makes them easy to resource locally. Fenugreek has properties that help to hydrate and strengthen the hair.
How To Use:
- Mix 2 teaspoons of powdered fenugreek seeds with 2 tablespoons of curd.
- Apply this paste from roots of the hair to the tips without missing any area over the scalp.
- Rinse your hair after an hour using a fragrant herbal shampoo.
7. Black Lentils
A surprise entry in the list of home remedies that can be used for split ends treatment at home is black lentils (sabut udad). Black lentils protect all layers of the hair shaft due to their high protein content.
How To Use:
- Mix a coarse powder of black lentils with one teaspoon of fenugreek powder.
- Add curd to make a thick paste and apply this to your hair from roots to tips.
- Wash your hair with a good shampoo after an hour.
8. Green Tea
Green tea helps to lose weight, improve digestion and also make your hair look wonderful. It has antioxidants which prevent hair from becoming dry and developing split ends.
How To Use:
- Prepare green tea by allowing two tea bags to steep in a glass of hot water for about 10 minutes.
- Use this water to rinse your hair after washing it with shampoo.
- Alternatively, green tea can be sprayed on damp hair to give a conditioned effect.
These home hacks can be safely used upto thrice a week for lustrous, thick hair that is free of split ends. Dermatologists and trichologists may also advise these home remedies along with mainstream medical treatment.
How To Prevent Split Ends?
A small effort always goes a long way in preventing recurrent inconveniences. Remember these easy tips to avoid developing split ends and enjoy a hassle-free good hair day every day.
- Use chemical-free hair products made from naturally procured ingredients.
- Nourish your hair with regular use of oil, shampoo and conditioner.
- Avoid frequent use of hair curlers, straighteners, dryers and other tools to style hair.
- Do not use chemical-based hair colour frequently.
- Tie a scarf around your head to prevent exposing your hair to harsh sun, wind or cold weather.
- Remember to get a haircut or trim your hair regularly.
These are some useful hacks to avoid developing split ends. Follow these tricks and you will never see a single hair on your head out of place.
Nurture your hair in a loving manner and your hair will love you back. To get that voluminous, lustrous hair you have been dreaming of follow a good hair care routine on a regular basis. Avoiding hair troubles is a good place to start with your hair care routine.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do split ends stop the growth of hair?
A. Split ends are directly not responsible for stopping hair growth. Split ends will lead to fraying of hair tips, dry strands of hair, damage to the hair cortex among other things. All these factors contribute to breakage of hair. Broken hair strands grow slower than those that are intact. This gives an impression of slow or stopped hair growth.
Q. How do regular haircuts help with split ends?
A. Trimming or cutting your hair regularly will help to get rid of damaged and frayed hair tips. This will help to prevent splitting of hair ends but it is not a treatment for split ends. Regular trimming of hair will only delay split end formation. Concurrent use of herbal conditioners, shampoos for hair is required if the severity of split ends is not curbed.
Q. Are split ends completely reversible?
A. Split ends can be treated with the right hair care routine, but they are not a reversible condition. Once your hair develops split ends there nothing that will undo the damage. Hair masks, hair spa, shampoos and conditioners will ensure prevention for further damage and recurrence of split ends. Trimming your hair is the only way to get rid of split ends that already exist.