How to Prevent Split Ends, According to Experts (2024)

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Hair
Hair Concerns
Damaged Hair

Hallie Gould

Hallie Gould is Byrdie's editor in chief + GM. She has a decade's worth of experience as a writer and editor, and her bylines can be found in such publications as ELLE, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle.

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines

and

Michelle Rostamian

Michelle is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in the beauty industry. Her work has appeared in publications including Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, The Zoe Report, W Magazine,

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on July 24, 2024 04:34PM

Reviewed by

Sky Kim

Reviewed bySky Kim

Sky Kim is a hairstylist with over a decade of experience. She currently works at Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York City.

Why Do I Get Split Ends So Easily?

If you're constantly dealing with split ends, it's likely your hair routine and habits because hard hairbrushes and frequent use of hot tools and hair color are major players that lead to split ends. While routine haircuts can remove split ends, they won't help stop them from forming. The only way to remove them entirely is to adjust your hair routine and cut out any damaging practices.

01of 13

Get a Haircut with Hot Scissors

Have fine, frizzy hair that's no stranger to split ends? Hairstylist Arsen Gurgov recommends getting a haircut with hot scissors, as "they offer a foolproof way to help get rid of split ends permanently without sacrificing the length." He notes that hot scissors utilize high heat to sealyour hair cuticle and cure split ends. "Without the heat from the scissors, the cuticle stays open, whereas hot scissors (with temperatures up to 310º F) help to seal the end of the hair shaft," he says. This is meant to reduce damage and allows the hair to better retain moisture.

02of 13

Get Regular Trims

The techniques that mask the appearance of split ends are doing just that: concealing instead of treating. According to Gurgov, the reality is that "the longer thehair, the more prone it is to split ends, making it that much more important to keep up with your regular trims." He recommends booking an appointment with your hairstylist every six to eight weeks regardless of your hair's length to keep your ends as healthy as possible. The longer you wait to trim your hair, the farther up the hair shaft your ends will split, ultimately making your hair shorter than what you started with.

Dr. Sperling echoes this tip, saying, "Split ends can be caused by genetics, long hair that has not been trimmed to keep healthy, damaged hair from processing such as heating or coloring. Sometimes a simple haircut can cut off the split ends to allow healthy hair growth."

03of 13

Avoid Over-Shampooing

Wondering how to prevent split ends? Gurgov advises you to be mindful of over-shampooing your hair. "When your hair is wet, it's in its most fragile state, and the daily wear and tear on wet hair (in the form of shampooing) can cause split ends," henotes. "A good tip to avoid over-shampooing is to pull your hair back into a ponytail and use the same amount of shampoo as the diameter of the ponytail."

04of 13

Invest in Argan Oil Products

Haircare's liquid gold—argan oil—is the closest thing we have to a miracle hair elixir, says Gurgov. He recommends using hair styling products containing argan oil, "whether it's a deep conditioneryou apply towet hair or a shine serum for post-styling." He notes that "argan oil offers weightless hydration, and unlike other oils (like coconut or olive), the oil molecules found in argan oil are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft." The result? Instant moisture that camouflages split ends.

05of 13

Avoid Super-Hot Showers

It's tough letting go of that cozy feeling hot showers evoke, but the truth is, scalding hot water doesn't allow the hair cuticles to rid themselves of split end-causing buildup. "When showering, try to use lukewarm water or the coldest water you can stand," Gurgov suggests. "Hot water is damaging to your hair since the cuticle swells, makingit more prone to splits." Especially when it comes time for rinsing, he recommends using cold water to close the cuticle to sealthe outer layer of the hair.

06of 13

Avoid Blow-Drying Your Ends

Let's face it: The more heat you apply to your ends, the more they'll be exposed to damage. For this reason, Gurgov recommends concentrating the dryer on the roots and upper lengths of your hair rather than the ends. He also notes that there's no need to dry your hair completely with the blowdryer—letting some of it air dry will save you from more damage in the long run. A powerful hairdryer that limits heat exposure is ideal for damage-prone ends.

07of 13

Use a Microfiber Towel

Just as microfiber towels are more effective than terry towels at picking up dirt and debris around the house, they're better able to dry the hair post-shower and have the added benefit of being more gentle. "After showering, wrap your hair in a microfiber towel and let the towel absorb the excess moisture,"Gurgov says. "You can patyour hair gently with the towel if you need to." He also adds that brushing your hair when it's wet can cause breakage. "If you must, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair (it's more delicate on strands compared to a brush) along with a spray-in conditioner."

Byrdie Tip

4C curls can especially benefit from using a softer towel for drying as harsher towel textures may cause finer hair to break more easily. If you don't happen to have a microfiber towel on hand, wrapping your hair in a t-shirt is an easy way to protect your hair while it's drying.

08of 13

Use Metal-Free Hair Accessories

Whether you're donning a topknot, ponytail, or half-up half-down style, the accessories you put in your hair could contribute to damage—metal ones included. Gurgov recommends using hair accessories that don't contain metal, as "the metal piecescan snag and break your hair, causing split ends, broken pieces, and uneven strands."

09of 13

Don't Overheat Your Hot Tools

If you're used to cranking up your straightener to its highest setting, Gurgov recommends taking it down a notch (or two). "Overheatingyour hair with styling tools causes damaged areas and split ends," he says. "Try to use the low or medium setting when possible, and limit the use of hot tools on the vulnerable parts of your hair."

If your hair relies heavily on hot tools, "use heat protectant products to protect hair from heat," Sperling advises. A heat protectant will add a barrier between your hair and the tool, helping to minimize possible damage.

10of 13

Resist the Urge to Pick

It's tempting to want to break off and pull apart your split ends, but this can wreak havoc on your strands and make room for more split ends to emerge. Picking is no replacement for visiting your hairstylist, and the key is to get ahead of the picking by trimming regularly, even if you're on the path to growing out your hair.

You should also ensure you aren't brushing too harshly, which can break and damage the hair. "Avoid brushing the hair from the top down to avoid causing more damage to ends," says Sperling. "Instead, brush hair starting at the bottom."

Byrdie Tip

Resist the urge to pick at your ends by getting a hair dusting, a method of haircutting that rids your hair of split ends without relinquishing all of the hard work you put in to grow it out.

11of 13

Disguise Split Ends With a Nourishing Oil

If your ends need a little TLC in between haircuts, hair oil can work wonders at concealing any that are split. Go for one that has moisturizing, nourishing ingredients like olive oil or argan oil.

12of 13

Try a Hair Mask

Generally speaking, hair masks are a great way to condition dry locks. "Conditioning hair helps keeps the hair moisturized," Dr. Sperling says—look for a deep conditioning mask to strengthen limp strands and fight off frizz with argan oil.

13of 13

Incorporate a Bonding Treatment

If your hair is weak, incorporating a weekly bonding treatment into your routine can help to strengthen the hair so it's less likely to split. For the best results, make sure to get a haircut first because your hair will just continue to split and you won't see all the benefits from the bonding treatment.

FAQ

What causes split ends?

Split ends result from overlooked hairstyling behaviors that do your ends a major disservice (ahem, hot tools). These are likely the culprit for never-ending tangles, slow hair growth, and—you guessed it—dry ends.
Are there different types of split ends?

Believe it or not, split ends are not all the same. The most traditional split end breaks ends of hair into a "Y" shape. If you have curlier hair, you might have knotted split ends. Another type you might see is the tapered split end which occurs when the outer cuticles of your strands break down to reveal the cortex.
How often should I shampoo to avoid split ends?

Try limiting your shampooing to two times a week. When you do shampoo, avoid scrubbing at the ends—this could lead to more breakage—and focus the cleansing at the roots.
How do you prevent split ends without cutting?

To prevent split ends, avoid hot tools, refrain from harsh chemicals like hair color, don't shampoo too frequently, and switch out your brush for a fine tooth comb.
Can you repair split ends?

Once your ends split, they're split. Some products claim to seal split ends but they'll just reduce their appearance. The only way to remove the splits entirely is to cut them off.