How to manage split ends
March 30, 2015 6:08 AM Subscribe
Need help in making my ends look a little less straw-like!
I have recently experimented with a couple of good intense moisturizing hair masks like Aussie 3 Minute Miracle and Silicon Mix (I am alternating between the two) and my hair looks smooth and shiny apart from the ends.
The ends are recovering a lot slower than the rest of my hair, so while the rest of my hair has "movement, the ends are straight and straw-like. I have used pretty much all the serums and products for split ends with little success. And I don't want to use straighteners or blow dry to curl them a little. Is there any way I can make the end of my hair look healthier and more natural a bit faster?
I have recently experimented with a couple of good intense moisturizing hair masks like Aussie 3 Minute Miracle and Silicon Mix (I am alternating between the two) and my hair looks smooth and shiny apart from the ends.
The ends are recovering a lot slower than the rest of my hair, so while the rest of my hair has "movement, the ends are straight and straw-like. I have used pretty much all the serums and products for split ends with little success. And I don't want to use straighteners or blow dry to curl them a little. Is there any way I can make the end of my hair look healthier and more natural a bit faster?
Best answer: There may be some miracle oil/conditioner out there that I don't know about, but honestly the only cure for split ends is a trim. Now, "Wait!" I hear you say, right in my question I said I wanted to grow my hair out, but the truth is that is the only way to get rid of them. The length you would need to remove is negligible. Just let the person cutting your hair know that all you want to do is remove the split ends. Your hair will look much improved and sometimes even gives the impression of being longer than before the trim. So says the voice of experience of just trimming off split ends - I never regret it.
posted by dawg-proud at 6:22 AM on March 30, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by dawg-proud at 6:22 AM on March 30, 2015 [12 favorites]
You can't repair split ends; once they're split, they're split. If you go to a good hairdresser, s/he'll be able to give the ends a tiny trim to get rid of the split parts without affecting the growth too much.
As for things that can make your hair feel better/softer, I love coconut oil. I put it on the ends at night and then wash it out in the morning, and my hair feels a lot softer.
posted by xingcat at 6:28 AM on March 30, 2015 [3 favorites]
As for things that can make your hair feel better/softer, I love coconut oil. I put it on the ends at night and then wash it out in the morning, and my hair feels a lot softer.
posted by xingcat at 6:28 AM on March 30, 2015 [3 favorites]
What is your hair recovering from? If for example you have bleached your hair in the past, a protein treatment is usually recommended, something like Joico's K-PAK Reconstructor. On the opposite end, if your hair is sensitive to build up you might try a clarifying shampoo or chelating shampoo, then one of your moisture treatments.
posted by dinofuzz at 6:36 AM on March 30, 2015
posted by dinofuzz at 6:36 AM on March 30, 2015
I second the coconut oil. The way I do it is, after washing my hair and before I brush it out, I take a teaspoon or less of oil, massage it into the ends, then brush my hair. I leave it in until the next wash.
posted by zagyzebra at 6:37 AM on March 30, 2015
posted by zagyzebra at 6:37 AM on March 30, 2015
Response by poster: I should have mentioned that I have been swimming a lot recently, so all that chlorine also has a lot to answer for all this hair damage! I am focusing more on running now though, so I will be going to the pool a lot less...and when I do go, I will probably be using two swimming caps to minimize the damage!
posted by heartofglass at 6:43 AM on March 30, 2015
posted by heartofglass at 6:43 AM on March 30, 2015
Yes to coconut oil - also, vinegar rinse. Makes a massive difference.
I like to follow up a vinegar rinse with a honey and conditioner hairmask. You mix equal parts of honey and conditioner in a bowl and apply to that to your hair, then just leave it on in the shower for 10 minutes (I use this time to shave my legs). Then rinse it out.
If I don't cut my split ends, the split travels further up the hair strand, leaving my hair looking damaged and rough. I would strongly recommend speaking to a hairdresser. They should be able to trim off the ends without you losing any length. I don't think there's any point trying to grow hair once it's split - it is already weakened and the longer you leave it the weaker the hair strand will get.
IANAHairdresser. This is just from personal experience.
Edit to add: Are you brushing your hair while it is wet, or drying it vigorously with a towel? Both of these can lead to split ends. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle wet hair.
posted by Ziggy500 at 6:48 AM on March 30, 2015
I like to follow up a vinegar rinse with a honey and conditioner hairmask. You mix equal parts of honey and conditioner in a bowl and apply to that to your hair, then just leave it on in the shower for 10 minutes (I use this time to shave my legs). Then rinse it out.
If I don't cut my split ends, the split travels further up the hair strand, leaving my hair looking damaged and rough. I would strongly recommend speaking to a hairdresser. They should be able to trim off the ends without you losing any length. I don't think there's any point trying to grow hair once it's split - it is already weakened and the longer you leave it the weaker the hair strand will get.
IANAHairdresser. This is just from personal experience.
Edit to add: Are you brushing your hair while it is wet, or drying it vigorously with a towel? Both of these can lead to split ends. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle wet hair.
posted by Ziggy500 at 6:48 AM on March 30, 2015
Best answer: When you do go get a trim, go to an Aveda salon or better. Dull scissors can make split ends much worse. Do get them trimmed so that they don't continue to split. Drink plenty of water and eat lots of protein to keep your hair healthy. As far as making your hair look less damaged, washing less and letting your natural hair oils work for you would be best but, you run so that isn't an option. Trimming your hair seems to be your only option.
posted by myselfasme at 6:50 AM on March 30, 2015
posted by myselfasme at 6:50 AM on March 30, 2015
If you get your hair soaking wet before you get in the pool, that should stop it from absorbing as much pool water.
posted by mchorn at 6:56 AM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mchorn at 6:56 AM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle
My husband was using that stuff on a recent holiday. His hair is short and soft and healthy and we were both amazed at how dry and straw-like it went and how quickly. Apparently that's the miracle, how fast it dries out your hair. So first things first, get better quality products.
The best way is probably going to your favourite decent salon and getting that tiny trim everyone is recommending (because yeah, split ends never get better despite what the conditioner bottle might promise) and also get a professional deep conditioning treatment. My experience is even a non-fancy one will be surprisingly good.
Then also talk with the stylist about what the exact problem is and what kind of products they recommend to fix it. E g. I found a specific Pureology mask worked great when I had curly hair and was swimming a lot. Now I have straight hair and don't swim so find Joico K-Pak is much better. What works for you will depend on your hair. It will probably cost more than that Aussie stuff but will be worth it.
posted by shelleycat at 6:59 AM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
My husband was using that stuff on a recent holiday. His hair is short and soft and healthy and we were both amazed at how dry and straw-like it went and how quickly. Apparently that's the miracle, how fast it dries out your hair. So first things first, get better quality products.
The best way is probably going to your favourite decent salon and getting that tiny trim everyone is recommending (because yeah, split ends never get better despite what the conditioner bottle might promise) and also get a professional deep conditioning treatment. My experience is even a non-fancy one will be surprisingly good.
Then also talk with the stylist about what the exact problem is and what kind of products they recommend to fix it. E g. I found a specific Pureology mask worked great when I had curly hair and was swimming a lot. Now I have straight hair and don't swim so find Joico K-Pak is much better. What works for you will depend on your hair. It will probably cost more than that Aussie stuff but will be worth it.
posted by shelleycat at 6:59 AM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Since you mentioned swimming I will say that with my daughter (who is on a swim team) will sometimes wet her hair and put a leave-in conditioner before she puts on her swim cap. Also on days that she swims we use shampoos and conditioners good at removing chlorine (like Ultra Swim). I'm not sure how necessary that is, especially when people swear by using coconut oil, but just another data point for you to consider.
posted by dawg-proud at 7:06 AM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dawg-proud at 7:06 AM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
You may be able to prevent split ends, but once they're split, you have to trim them. Have your hairdresser take off 1/4". Also, my hairdresser recommended taking prenatal vitamins to get hair to grow faster (it's supposedly the combination of biotin and folic acid). I have noticed a huge difference in my normally slow growing hair!
posted by Barnifer at 7:12 AM on March 30, 2015
posted by Barnifer at 7:12 AM on March 30, 2015
Protein treatments are usually recommended for straw hair that is strawlike due to overprocessing with chemicals such as bleach and dye and excessive heat styling. I do Aphogee 2-step a couple times a year (you can get it at Sally Beauty Supply in single-use packets.) Not sure if chlorine saps protein, though. Do you color your hair?
But yes, a trim is the only thing that will get rid of splits. Once the hair's split, it's split, and it will only get worse and move up the strand if you don't trim. You won't lose a lot of length if you get regular little trims.
There's no point having long hair if the last inch is raggedy wispy splits--and it won't actually look that much longer since it won't be dense and healthy.
posted by kapers at 8:07 AM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
But yes, a trim is the only thing that will get rid of splits. Once the hair's split, it's split, and it will only get worse and move up the strand if you don't trim. You won't lose a lot of length if you get regular little trims.
There's no point having long hair if the last inch is raggedy wispy splits--and it won't actually look that much longer since it won't be dense and healthy.
posted by kapers at 8:07 AM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
When you're trying to grow out your hair you still need trims. Otherwise, you'll just grow out longer split ends! A hairstylist you trust will trim the minimum needed to allow you to keep growing it out.
posted by radioamy at 8:21 AM on March 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by radioamy at 8:21 AM on March 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
From my understanding, split ends can actually "run" up your hair like a hole in pantyhose. On long hair forums (where women NEVER cut their hair) some women recommend sitting near a window or natural light and examining each hair strand by strand for split ends. If you find one, snip it with a super sharp pair of scissors just above the split, which will look like a Y.
posted by Brittanie at 6:27 PM on March 31, 2015
posted by Brittanie at 6:27 PM on March 31, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks all for your answers, I ended up getting a trim and my hair looks so much better! I have also started to use coconut oil, what a miraculous thing! It's inexpensive and natural! Thanks so much :)
posted by heartofglass at 7:27 AM on April 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by heartofglass at 7:27 AM on April 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
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posted by heartofglass at 6:10 AM on March 30, 2015