How to Prevent Split Ends in 2023

If you have hair on your head, this is something we all face “split ends”. Once they happen you can’t really repair them. How to prevent split ends is your best method for healthy shiny hair.

They are quite annoying because once you get them the only solution is to cut them or mend which is temporary.

What do split ends look like?

You can look closely at your hair but that is not necessary. You will notice changes in your hair behavior if you start having split ends. It will feel dry and start tangling when you have damaged hair.

Look out for these:

• Hair tips splitting into two or more strands
• White dots at the end of your hair
• Single strand knots

Tips on How to prevent split ends

Always trim Split ends with sharp scissors. Cut about 1 1/2 -half inches above your split ends. You can do this yourself or have your stylist do it for you if you think you may ruin your haircut. If trimming affects your hair goal ask to have your hair cut in layers. Keep a regular check on your ends

Dust your ends occasionally, this is when a small amount is trimmed and it looks like dust. You can do this yourself if you are not due for a haircut. Do this to also preserve your hair length.

How to prevent split ends while washing

Always condition after every shampoo never skips that step. This step is super important and even more so for afro/curly texture hair.

Too much shampooing can strip the hair of its natural oils leaving it easier to get split ends. Use a shampoo no more than 2 times a week, and wash with conditioner the other times. Rinse hair with cool water. Because Shampoo Can be so drying to your hair, oil your hair before washing.

How to Prevent Split ends When conditioning

Remove most of the water from the hair and apply conditioner focusing on the ends. Choose a good moisturizing conditioner and let it sit on the hair for 3 minutes. If you have tangles use these minutes to get rid of them. Will create less friction when the hair is soaked with conditioner. Apply more conditioner to any knots you may run into.

Dry Hair Gently

Wet hair is more vulnerable to damage, so treat it with care. Rubbing your hair too much will create tangles and twists. This will result in split ends and breakages.

To dry: How to prevent split ends by gently pat dry wet hair, do not rub, and use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to remove excess water. If not in any rush let your hair air dry this is the preferred method. If you can’t air dry use a blow dryer on a low heat/ blow cool hair.

Deep condition regular, if normal conditioning not working. Try deep conditioning at least twice a month. You can use coconut oil also, apply it to your hair and put a shower cap on it. Let coconut oil stay on your hair for 5-10 minutes.

Note: If you use protein treatment for natural hair do this maybe just once a month.

Deep conditioner protects your hair from regular wear and tear, due to combing, styling, and also environmental factors.

How to Prevent Split ends with Styling

If you have curly hair it’s ok to brush/comb your hair when wet. If you don’t have curly hair only brush your hair when dry it’s more fragile when wet.

Use a brush with soft bristles and a wide-tooth comb. These are more gentle on the hair and aid prevent future split ends. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Finger comb hair if have to and if you encounter a tangle gentle detangle.

Protect your hair from heat: Whenever you are used to heating, always use a heat-protective serum. If you style your hair a lot with heating tools such as flat iron. This will minimize damage to your hair.

Best to not overuse heat just do it once or twice a month. Use low heat, set to below 356ºF (180ºC).

Also protect your hair from the sun, as it damages your hair also.

Protect your hair as you sleep; Sleep with your hair in a bun or braids to prevent tangle and too much friction. A satin scarf or pillowcase may also help.

How to prevent split ends with Eating balance: Make sure to eat healthy vitamin-rich food. Vitamin E and omega- 3 fatty acid food should be in your diet. You can also try biotin for healthier hair growth.

Apply hair mask. A hair mask can help your hair stay healthy and moisturized. Do this treatment twice or more a month depending on your hair type. Leave it in your hair for 30-40 minutes. Mix your own, here is a DIY hair mask with aloe vera.

Oil your hair for protection. Oils are so important in hair care, use a nutrient-rich oil such as almond oil, argan oil, castor oil, or extra-virgin olive oil. Do this twice a week. Oil your hair overnight under a cap and wash it out in the morning. Apply the oil to the middle and ends of the hair.

Dye, perms, and bleached, these hair products are among the most damaging to our hair. Limit the amount of time you get your hair colors, perm, and bleach. When you relax your hair try to get touched up no sooner than 6-8 weeks or even longer. You can try to texturize hair instead of bone straight relaxing. Do not double chemical, meaning don’t bleach and relax on the same day for example.

If you have dye hair get a root touch-up instead of re-dyeing all your hair when the root grows out same applies to perm hair. If your hair is very damaged do not dye, perm or bleach it at all.

Can Split ends be restored?

Some products can show instant improvement in your hair however it doesn’t really restore/ fixed them. What these products do is seal the split ends. These are great temporary fixes but don’t rely on them for long-term usage. They may cause more damage at the end best to trim once reached this stage.

How to prevent split ends at home with simple tips for all hair types.