How to Repair Split Ends without Cutting Your Hair

Split ends are a problem which can affect all hair types. Whether long or short, blonde or brunette, thick or thin – all hair can suffer from damage without the right care. Split ends – formally known as trichoptilosis – can make otherwise healthy hair feel like straw. Hair can become difficult to style, and strands will feel weak and dry.

Many hairstylists state that it’s the number one complaint from clients. They want their frazzled ends snipped off to inject some life back into their locks. But what if you don’t want to go for the chop? Perhaps you’re happy with the length of your hair and want to find a solution that doesn’t involve a shorter style.

The good news is there are real solutions out there. You can repair split ends and damaged hair with specialist shampoos. Though a haircut remains the number one way to get rid of split ends quickly, there are lots of other things you can try to repair the hair shaft and restore vitality and shine to your locks.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at how you can repair the damage caused by split ends without reaching for the scissors. From sealers to methods of prevention, we’ll look at the many different ways you can keep your hair healthy.

What Are Split Ends?

Many people know vaguely what a split end is. They understand that it’s a sign of unhealthy hair, and they know that it’s a problem which needs to be addressed. But what are they?

They occur when the hair is damaged. The outer layer of the hair – known as the cuticle – starts to crack. This exposes the inner cortex of the hair. The outside layer of the hair is meant to protect the inner section, and if the outer layer is compromised, the entire hair shaft can rapidly become weak and dry.

This then leads to split ends. They most commonly appear at the end of the hair shaft. It will look as though the hair is splitting, into a ‘Y’ shape. You can also experience split ends halfway up the shaft – this might appear as a loop. The more you have, the more unhealthy your hair will look. It can also become tangled more easily, and as you try to address the tangles, you can make them even worse.

What Causes Split Ends?

Before we start to look at how to repair split ends, we’ll need to examine the causes. Otherwise, we may end up repeating our past mistakes, causing more problems, even after we’ve repaired them!

There are dozens of causes, including:

• Over-washing. Washing your hair too often can leave it dry and unprotected, as it’s stripped of its natural oils. This can weaken the hair shaft and cause the inner cortex to become exposed which, as we all know, leads to split ends. The same problems can arise from not washing your hair – it’s about striking the right balance.
• Exposure to sun, dust, pollution, and heat. We all know that sun and heat are not particularly good for the hair. The sun’s harmful rays combined with higher temperatures can cause the hair to become dry and weak, leading to split ends. Dust and pollution can also settle on the hair and scalp, causing issues from a dry, itchy scalp to hair breakage and even hair loss.
• Overuse of heated styling tools. We all know someone who can’t bear to be parted from their straightening irons or curling tongs. But exposing their hair to such intense heat regularly can damage and weaken the hair – especially if you’re not using a heat protection product. Here are some tips on how to straighten your hair without heat and how to curl your hair without heat.
• Too many hair products. Many people love to use hair products like gels, serums, and sprays to get their hair looking exactly as they want it. But if you’re overloading your hair with these products, it can cause build-up on the scalp and can damage your tresses further down the hair shaft, leading to damage and breakage.
• Washing hair with very hot water. We already know that heat (whether from the sun or styling tools) is bad for the hair. The same goes for the water in which you wash your locks. If the water is too hot, it can damage the hair.
• Using poor-quality hair accessories and styling tools. Elastic bands, plastic headbands, low-quality combs, and brushes can all put undue stress on the hair shaft, causing it to break and split.
• No routine maintenance. If you haven’t had your hair trimmed in years, it’s highly likely that you’ll have a few split ends!
• Overuse of chemical treatments. If you regularly dye, bleach or perm your hair, the chemicals in these treatments can be having a negative effect on your hair. Many people experience incredibly dry hair that is prone to breaking after they’ve applied a dye.
• Hard water. Depending on where you live, you may experience what’s known as ‘hard water.’ This is water with a high mineral content, which can cause build-up on the scalp and can damage hair too.

As we’ve already mentioned, this problem can affect anyone, with any hair type. If you’ve been guilty of one of the hair mistakes above, never fear – you can still salvage your tresses without going for the chop.

What Are the Different Types of Split Ends?

Many people think that there’s just one type of split end – but did you know that experts believe there are as many as sixteen different types? These can be caused by different factors and will need slightly different treatments to rectify.

Let’s examine all the various types and look at how they can be treated:

• Traditional split – this is the most common type and the one you’re most likely to see. It involves the classic y-shaped split, with the hair appearing to divide from the tip.
• Baby split – this is the beginning, not quite a traditional split yet. If left untreated, it will quickly develop into that recognizable y-shape split, so it’s important to act fast.
• Triple split – the hair is splitting into not two, but three weaker sections. The very weak cuticle is peeling away from the cortex in multiple places – a sign of highly damaged hair.
• Double-y split – this is when the two sections formed in a traditional split are starting to divide even further, almost like a tree branch.
• Incomplete split – this type often presents as a loop in the hair shaft. It can be caused by rough styling or excessive heat.
• Long split – if you use hair accessories such as pins or clips in the same place every day, you may see a long split. This weakens the hair in a specific spot.
• White spots – if you can see minuscule white spots along the hair shaft, it’s a sign that your hair has suffered a chemical burn, most likely from dying.
• Right angle – wear your hair in the same style every day? You may see some hair starting to shoot off at a right angle.
• Feather split – this is when there are multiple splits up and down the hair strand. Caused by excessive hair dying and exacerbated by a lack of trimming.
• Crinkle – this frazzled strand of hair has been stretched to breaking point by hot styling tools, chemicals or overuse of hair products.

Do you recognize any of these types? If so, perhaps it’s time to look at some highly-rated options to repair your tresses and have them looking healthy once more.

Natural Rescue Remedies

Many problems with the hair and scalp are caused by unnatural factors – things like pollution, hot styling tools and drying hair products, for example. So it makes sense that to restore your hair to its former glory, you should look for natural remedies.

Flat Beer

As strange as it sounds, one of the best natural remedies for split ends is flat beer. This is because of the sugar and the proteins in the alcoholic beverage bond to the hair, which can help to strengthen and repair it. Simply open up a can of lager and allow it to go flat – leaving it overnight is a good way to accomplish this.

Pour the beer into a spray bottle and apply evenly over your hair. You should leave it for up to an hour before rinsing thoroughly and washing with a mild, natural shampoo. You can repeat this treatment weekly until you see a noticeable reduction in split ends.

Eggs

An egg is also a wonderful natural remedy. Hair is made from protein, and eggs are packed with the stuff, which makes it a great treatment if you’re trying to remove split ends. There are numerous ways you can use an egg to keep your strands free from split ends:

• Mix a beaten egg with olive oil and honey to use as a hair mask. Apply all over the hair and leave for up to an hour before rinsing off.
• Use a beaten egg and a spoonful of water as a shampoo.
• Mash up two eggs, a banana, and some pure, unconcentrated orange juice. Apply as a hair mask for up to thirty minutes then rinse away and wash with a mild shampoo.

One important thing to remember when applying egg to your hair is to rinse it off with cold or lukewarm water. If you use hot water, the egg will start to cook in your hair.

Here are 5 hair mask ideas for split ends.

Household Remedies That Work

If you like to enjoy a healthy diet, you may have papaya and natural yogurt lying around your house already. You can use these ingredients to create another organic yogurt hair mask. Simply mash up the flesh of the papaya and mix with about half a cup of plain yogurt.

Apply the smooth mixture all over the hair and cover. You can use a shower cap to keep the hair in place or wrap a plastic bag around the top of the head. Papaya and yogurt are packed with amino acids and proteins which can help make the hair stronger. Leaving this hair mask for up to forty-five minutes before rinsing thoroughly will certainly help to treat your split ends.

Using natural oils on your hair will also help to repair split ends and damage. There are dozens of options you can choose from. Argan oil is a popular hair treatment at the moment – this Moroccan oil helps with everything from dryness and frizz to those dreaded split ends.

Coconut oil is also a leading hair treatment option – you can use it as an intensive mask, or apply a small amount to the tips daily to keep them soft and supple. Olive oil is another great option which many people will have in their store cupboards already.

Other Hair Repair Methods

If you’ve tried the natural options and are looking for something a little more robust, you could try a split end cutting machine. The Split Ends Hair Trimmer is an effortless way to remove split ends quickly, leaving hair looking smoother and healthier instantly.

The machine cuts away the tiny split ends from the ends of your hair with ease, without removing any of the length. Using the device is simple. Make sure your hair is dry and has been combed through to remove any tangles. Then separate a small section of hair and pass the machine down the hair shaft at least three times – as if you were using straightening irons.

The device will trim away any stray split ends it finds, giving you healthier hair instantly. This trimmer is ideal if you have a special occasion coming up and want a proven solution to your problems with split ends.

Leading Over-the-Counter (OTC) Solutions for Split Ends

You can also turn to some of the leading brands in the world of hair care for split end treatments:

Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-In Conditioner

Tresemme’s Split Remedy Leave-In Conditioner Treatment is a great choice. The high-quality treatment consists of a lightweight formula which doesn’t need to be rinsed out. It can protect your hair from damage, and best of all, it’s said to reduce up to 80% of split ends within just three uses.

Using the product couldn’t be simpler. Shampoo and condition hair as normal – Tresemme recommend using their Split Remedy system for best results. Dry hair until it’s damp, then distribute up to three pumps of the treatment through the hair, focusing on the ends. You don’t need to rinse the product out – just style as normal and enjoy smooth, healthy locks.

Advanced Keratin Repair, Split End Fuser Hair Oil

Pantene Pro-V Expert Collection is also a respected line in the haircare world. Their Advanced Keratin Repair, Split End Fuser Hair Oil, as the name might suggest, helps to fuse the split ends back to the main hair shaft, fighting damage and providing shine and vitality. Independent testing found that this treatment could repair up to two years of damage in as little as two minutes. Better still, it provides a natural protective layer that is not unlike the hair’s natural barrier, to help reduce the amount of damage your hair takes.

Carol’s Daughter Monoi Split End Sealer

A quick analysis reveals thatCarol’s Daughter Monoi Split End Sealer is also one of the best-selling products for sealing split ends. The product binds the frayed and separated ends of the hair back together, giving that freshly-cut feel with just one use. This completely natural treatment contains no artificial colors or parabens and is packed with great ingredients like coconut oil, carob seed extract and monoi oil.

The application is easy – you just apply a pea-sized amount to wet or dry hair and work it through the strands completely. Style as usual and enjoy fresh, salon-quality locks that feel healthy and revitalized.

Avoiding Hair Damage Altogether

Of course, the best way to repair split ends is to avoid them in the first place! Here are some simple tips to help protect your hair and avoid developing split ends.

• When your hair is wet, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle it before you start to style. Pulling a regular comb or brush through your hair when it’s wet can cause damage, breakage and split ends.
• Always use a heat protection product when you’re using styling tools. Whether you’re blow-drying your locks for a special occasion or straightening your tresses on a daily basis, you should be ensuring your hair is fully protected from the intense heat. HSI Professional #1 Thermal Protector 450 With Argan Oil is a great option, infused with lots of vitamins to keep hair shiny and protected.
• Many people roughly towel-dry their hair after they wash it. Try using an old t-shirt for this purpose instead. The softer material may take a little longer to absorb the moisture from your hair, but it will help prevent split ends from forming.
• Gently plait or braid your hair while sleeping. Don’t resort to tight ponytails, and try not to leave your hair down to become tangled during the night.
• For a quick, revitalizing treatment, mix the oil from three vitamin E capsules in lukewarm water and work it into the ends of your hair. This can help repair split ends as well as preventing them in the future.
• Take vitamins to strengthen your hair, and eat a hair-healthy diet. Folic acid and biotin are both essential for strong hair. You can take a supplement, or you can up your intake of oranges, soybeans, lentils, sunflower seeds and green leafy vegetables.
• Limit chemical treatments as much as you can – or at least go to a professional. Many people dye their hair from home, but choosing to go to a stylist can help keep your hair in better condition, as well as ensuring the color lasts longer.
• Get your hair trimmed regularly. If you go for regularly small trims with your hairstylist, it’s less likely that you’ll develop terrible split ends which require lopping off a couple of inches.

Repairing Split Ends without Cutting Your Hair

Split ends are a tricky problem to deal with – and they affect everyone at some point. Whether you struggle with split ends as a result of over-styling, washing with hot water, exposure to pollution or too many chemical treatments, the good news is they can be treated effectively.

Seeking treatment all depends on what type of split ends you have. If you suffer from the traditional y-split, caused by friction and dryness, you should seek to inject some moisture into your hair, and fast. If you see white spots on the hair shaft or are seeing a cross between a bend and a tangle, you need to lay off the chemical treatments and aim to fuse the split ends back to the main hair shaft.

There are so many natural ways you can treat split ends, from using coconut oil to spraying flat beer onto your hair – yes, really! These natural solutions are usually packed with proteins and amino acids, which help to repair the hair and give it the protection it needs.

Products from the leading brands can also help keep your hair in great condition and repair your split ends. From Pantene to Tresemme, there are dozens of recognizable brands offering split end sealers, leave-in treatments and highly nourishing conditioners which restore your hair to its former glory, with no split ends in sight.

The main thing to remember is that treatment should always be ongoing. Even if you’ve removed split ends, for now, you should always be looking at ways to protect your hair, whether it’s drying it with a soft cotton t-shirt or checking out a new heat protection product. By following all of these steps, you can get rid of split ends for now, and ensure your hair stays healthy for the foreseeable future.