Q&A for How to Remove and Prevent Split Ends

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Question

Why do I have a lot of split ends?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can get split ends from brushing hair roughly, overusing heat styling tools, or from chemical services. Fine hair may be more prone to split ends.

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Question

Can you repair your split ends?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately not. Split ends can be temporarily sealed but not repaired. The best thing to do with split ends is to cut them off before they spread.

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Question

What happens if you do not cut your split ends?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If you don't cut split ends they could continue to split up the hair shaft. The longer you wait, the higher the damage can spread.

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Question

How can I get rid of split ends without compromising the length?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can’t. Trimming is the only way to get rid of them, so it is best to get regular trims.

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Question

I haven't used heat on my hair in 2 months and I also use hair masks. Why do I still have split ends?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You may not have gotten enough trimmed off or you may have damage from chemical treatments or rough towel drying.

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Question

How can I condition my hair with natural products?

Community Answer

You can try using coconut oil or olive oil. Massage it in, just like a hair mask, and sleep on it. Next day, shampoo your hair and rinse. No need to add conditioner because the oil has already conditioned your hair.

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Question

How can I get rid of split ends without cutting or trimming my hair?

Community Answer

You can't. Split ends must be trimmed to be fully removed. Some products claim to fix them, but it's only temporary.

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Question

Does cutting hair while wet cause split ends?

Community Answer

No. Usually the only thing that causes spit ends is letting the ends get a lot of wear and tear without a lot of conditioning. If you wear it up in a bun or in a style that doesn't get a lot of wear and tear on the ends, that helps prevent the split ends from coming on and getting worse. Braids are better than ponytails but the ends still get a lot of damage compared to a bun. And again - using coconut oil or a leave-in conditioner on your ends will help prevent them from getting super damaged too!

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Question

Would olive oil on its own help my hair, and if so, how would I use it?

Community Answer

Yes, olive oil on its own will help. Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil for 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave. Use your fingertips to massage it into your hair for 5 to 7 minutes. Put on a shower cap, and wait 1 to 2 hours, wash your hair with shampoo. After shampooing, apply 5 drops of olive oil to the ends of your hair.

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Question

I straightened my hair only once. Have I permanently damaged it?

Community Answer

If you only did it once, you didn't permanently damage your hair. If you keep flat ironing your hair repeatedly, it will get damaged.

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Question

Does dyeing your hair cause split ends?

Community Answer

You can dye your hair a first time and it won't cause any split ends. However, if you keep dyeing it over and over again, that can really damage your hair. Try dyeing it at least a month of the date you first dyed it.

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Question

Do I have to wash my hair before putting leave-in conditioner into it?

Community Answer

It doesn't really matter, you don't have to. However, it is preferred, as your hair will be fresh and clean.

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Question

How can I prevent split ends even if I use healthy treatments on my hair?

Community Answer

Go to a professional hairdresser to have your hair trimmed regularly to remove and prevent split ends.

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Question

I twist my hair to dry with my towel after a shower. Is this healthy for my hair?

Community Answer

Is your hair in good condition still? In most cases it should be fine. Hair is stronger than many people give credit for.

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Question

How do I know if I have split ends?

Community Answer

Look closely at your hair, if it is either lighter (white dots), single-knotted, or visibly split, you have split ends.

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Question

Does keratin treatment help with dry hair and avoiding split ends?

Community Answer

In my experience, yes, keratin can help restore moisture to hair and prevent split ends. It also makes my hair feel much softer.

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Question

How would I straighten my hair without using heat related tools to prevent split ends?

Community Answer

Try the clip method. It's basically dampening your hair then combing it from one side to another and clipping it tightly. Then sleep on it. It should look fairly straight in the morning.

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Question

Is brushing my hair every night and morning healthy or not?

Community Answer

Brushing your hair every night and morning is not healthy. It may make your hair shinier but too much brushing can break your hair from getting stuck in the bristles. Moreover, brushing it makes the natural oil spread faster (which makes it shinier) so your hair will get greasier faster to prevent the lack of oil close to the roots. Brush your hair maximum once a day, and use wooden or horn combs.

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Question

Are there any other ways to get rid of split ends without seeing a hairdresser?

Community Answer

You don't need a hairdresser to cut split ends. Simply grab a pair of scissors and carefully trim them off.

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Question

How can I make my hair less frizzy if I have split ends?

Community Answer

Trim the split ends regularly and use a conditioner to smooth your hair each day.

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Question

If I bleach and then dye my hair (for the first time), would it get damaged a lot?

Community Answer

As long as you do not bleach and dye very frequently, it should not damage your hair much, especially if it is your first time doing so.

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Question

Is mustard oil good for hairs?

Community Answer

Mustard oil could be too volatile to use so close to your eyes and nose. It could prove irritative and cause more harm than good.

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Question

I straighten my hair once every two or three days on a low heat - but I do use a very expensive, heat protectant product that seems to work really well. Is this bad for my hair?

1Xrainbow_girlX1

Community Answer

I believe that as long as you are doing it on low heat, and not that often, then you are fine. Don't use it every day, because that can cause damage to your hair.

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Question

Should I put in a lot of conditioner?

Community Answer

No, only use 5-6 small drops into the tips of your hair because it makes your hair shining, which makes natural oils spread if you puts lots in all over you head. Using too much conditioner can cause your hair to feel greasy.

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Question

How can I make my hair perfectly flat and shiny?

Community Answer

Try using hair spray and finishing oil to keep your hair in place and looking bright. You could also try getting something like a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy during the day.

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Question

Are there any oils I can mix together to make my hair softer and bouncier?

Community Answer

Yes, you could mix almond, castor and coconut oil.

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Question

What kind of shampoo and hair oil should I use on curly hair that is rough and dry?

Community Answer

Try John Frieda Frizz Ease. Check your shampoo to make sure it doesn't have alcohol because that dries out hair.

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Question

Do split ends stops the hair growth?

Community Answer

Not so much completely stops it as it greatly slows the process down. Healthy hair grows from the scalp, the split ends should be at the very ends of your hair. It doesn't necessarily stop the growth, but it's best to cut it as soon as you see it because it'll eventually just break off on its own, which could be at a much longer length then you'd originally intend to cut.

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Question

How do I know whether I have split ends if I have thick, curly hair?

Community Answer

Take a small handful of your hair (in the middle and underneath is where it normally happens) and put it under your index finger over your middle finger and under your 4th finger and slide your hand down slowly. If there are pieces sticking out randomly, you have split ends.

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Question

How can I make my hair longer so that I can donate it and have the maximum chance the hair will be used to make a wig for Little Princess Trust?

Community Answer

Give your hair a break when it comes to hot tools, chemical relaxers, or any other tool or service that causes a lot of damage to your hair. The healthier your hair is, the longer it will grow.

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