How to Trim Split Ends at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Plus, learn how to prevent split ends in the first place
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Split ends leave your hair dry and damaged, so it’s important to remove them to promote healthy hair growth. Luckily, you don’t have to go to a hair salon just to trim your split ends—it’s easy to trim them yourself at home! In this article, we’ll teach you all the best ways to trim your own split ends. Plus, we interviewed hair stylist Jenny Tran to give you tips on how to prevent split ends in the first place.

How to Cut Split Ends at Home

  1. Separate your dry, untangled hair into 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections.
  2. Twist each section tightly to reveal split ends.
  3. Snip off the split ends with a pair of hair-cutting shears.
  4. Twist the section the other direction to trim any split ends you may have missed.
  5. Repeat the process until you’ve trimmed all of your hair.
Section 1 of 5:

Twisting Your Hair

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Dry your hair and brush it out so that the split ends appear easily. Take a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of your hair and hold it in one hand. [1] It’s usually best to start on one side of your head so that you don’t get the sections of hair mixed up as you go along. If your hair is super thick, you might take a smaller section, and if it’s very thin, you might take a larger section.
    • If you have very curly hair, it may be better to trim each curl individually rather than sectioning your hair.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Start at the top of the section of hair, twisting it as you go down. Continue twisting the strand until the entire section is twisted tightly. Once it’s twisted, you should see the ends of some strands popping out, which will help you detect split ends . [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Examine the ends that are sticking out of the twist—most of them will likely be split ends. Use a pair of hair cutting shears to snip off about .2 inches (0.51 cm) of each split end. Start at the top of the strand and go down so you don’t miss any. [3]
    • If you have shorter hair that’s more difficult to see, use a mirror when cutting off the split ends.
    • Keep in mind that this will result in your hair being varied lengths.
    EXPERT TIP

    Courtney Foster

    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.
    Courtney Foster
    Licensed Cosmetologist

    Use sharp scissors to cut your split ends. Dull cutting instruments can actually cause more split ends, which defeats the purpose of removing your current ends.

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    To reach even more split ends, undo the twist you just formed, then start twisting it the opposite way—this will help reveal split ends that didn’t appear during the first twist. Use the cutting shears to snip off these split ends, as well. [4]
    • For example, if you twisted the strand of hair clockwise first, twist it counterclockwise the second time.
  5. Take another 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair next to the first section, then twist it the same way. Repeat the process of twisting the hair and trimming off the ends until you’ve gone around your entire head. Use a hair clip or tie to hold back sections you’ve already trimmed. [5]
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Section 2 of 5:

Dusting Your Hair

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    If you already have naturally straight hair, all you’ll need to do is brush through it thoroughly. If you have wavy or curly hair, it’s usually best to straighten it and brush it so that the split ends will pop up more easily. Make sure your hair is completely dry so that it’s less likely to break. [6]
    • If your hair is wavy, you may only need to blow dry your hair instead of using a straightener.
    • If you’re using a hair straightener, remember to apply a heat protectant to avoid even more split ends!
    • Note: This method can be tricky if you don’t have experience doing hair. It may be better to have a professional hair stylist dust your hair.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Use a small comb to section off your hair . While 1 inch (2.5 cm) works best for most hair, thick hair might require smaller sections, while super thin hair could handle a larger section. Once sectioned, use the comb to brush through the strands of hair again, if needed. [7]
    • If your hair is curly or coily, try trimming each curl individually rather than sectioning your hair.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Weave the section of hair under your index finger, over your middle finger, and under your ring finger. By doing this, your hair should be visible on top of your middle finger only. Position your fingers near the roots so you’ll be able to slide your fingers down the strand. [8]
    • If you’re worried about accidentally cutting your fingers, another option is to slowly run a comb down each section and trim the ends that you notice.
  4. When you weave your hair between your fingers, the ends of some strands should stick out of the section that’s visible on your middle finger. Look closely to spot split ends that need trimming. [9]
    • If your hair has layers, pay special attention to make sure the end sticking out is a split end and not just a shorter strand of hair.
    • Use a mirror to help you spot the split ends if you can’t easily see the strand of hair.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Hold a pair of cutting shears so that they’re perpendicular to the strand of hair. Slowly slide your fingers down the section of your and clip off split ends as you go. In general, you’ll only need to clip off about 0.13 inches (0.33 cm) of hair. [10]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Pull together a new section of hair next to the one you just trimmed. Position your fingers the same way and start clipping off split ends as you spot them. Repeat the process around your entire head to remove split ends while keeping your length. [11]
    • Use a hair clip or tie to clump together the sections of hair that you’ve already trimmed so that they’re out of the way.
    EXPERT TIP

    Courtney Foster

    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.
    Courtney Foster
    Licensed Cosmetologist

    Trim your split ends to keep your hair healthy. If you have too many split ends, the split can travel up your hair shafts and cause breakage.

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Section 3 of 5:

Trimming the Ends of Your Hair

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Make sure your hair is damp—not soaking wet—and use a natural bristle brush or a metal comb to brush through it and remove any tangles. Try running your brush or comb under water before brushing your hair to help distribute the water evenly. [12]
    • If you have textured hair, it’s best to cut your hair when it’s dry.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Once your hair has been brushed through, use a small comb to gather a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair. Start on one side of your head so that you can keep track of which sections you’ve already cut. [13]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Starting at the top of the section of hair, place the strands in between your index and middle finger so that you’re holding the strand tightly. Use your other fingers as necessary to make sure the strand is pulled straight. [14]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    This will keep the section of hair straight, allowing you to get an accurate picture of what your ends look like. As you’re sliding your fingers down the hair, try to pull the strand away from your neck and out in front of you so you can cut it more easily. Stop sliding your fingers when there’s about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of hair left at the end. [15]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    Make the cut perpendicular to the strand of hair so that you get an even cut. If you have split ends that go far up the hair shaft, you may have to cut more than 0.8 inches (2.0 cm), but start with a small amount to be safe. You can always cut off more, if necessary. [16]
  6. Section off another 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair, trimming the ends perpendicular to the strand just as before. Use the previous section as a guide for cutting the proper length. Continue trimming the ends all around your head, giving yourself an even cut. [17]
    • Have someone help you with the back of your head, if possible.
    • Use a hair tie or clip to separate hair that needs to be trimmed from hair that has already been trimmed to avoid confusion.
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Section 4 of 5:

Preventing Split Ends

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  1. For the best results, use conditioner after every shampoo, massaging the conditioner onto the ends of your hair. Hair can split and break for a number of reasons, but often, it’s because the hair isn’t properly moisturized . [18]
  2. Give your hair a little boost every week or so by doing a deep treatment, like a hair mask . Deep treatments give your hair more moisture and protection so that even if you go 2-3 days without shampooing and conditioning, your hair will still retain a lot of moisture. [19]
  3. Even if you apply a heat protectant, tools like curling irons or hair straighteners will still take a toll on your hair. While it’s okay to use these tools now and then, try not to use heat appliances on your hair every single day. [20]
    • If you're using the blow dryer, put it on the lowest setting to cause less damage.
    • To help further prevent split ends , always apply a heat protectant to your hair before using a heat tool.
    • Tran says, “If you find a lot of split ends, maybe you’re using too high of a heat setting when you’re styling your hair, or you’re not using enough protection. I always start off with a primer for my hair. It helps style the hair, but it also has heat protection for when I style with any heat item.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    A wide-tooth comb is less likely to damage your hair and it’s great for detangling. It’s especially important to use a wide-tooth comb if you’re brushing through wet hair, as wet hair is more likely to break and cause split ends. [21]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Trim Your Own Split Ends
    If you use hair ties that are super tight and rough on your hair, you may experience more split ends. [22] Look for softer elastic hair ties that stretch well and don’t pull on your hair. You can even make your own hair ties using a piece of elastic.
  6. Sometimes, split ends are caused by friction, like when your hair rubs against your pillow when you toss and turn at night. To help prevent this, detangle your hair every night before bed and sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a silk bonnet to minimize damage. [23]
  7. The longer you leave split ends, the more likely they are to climb up your hair shaft. Even if you’re trying to grow your hair , getting the ends trimmed every couple of months or so will greatly reduce the likelihood of damaged hair. [24]
    • If you chemically treat your hair, then it's especially important that you get regular trims.
    • Tran says when we get split ends with longer hair, “There’s always this thing about, ‘Oh, I’m not going to get a haircut if I’m growing my hair out.’ But if you don’t get those split ends cut, over time they go higher and higher. Now you have to cut off [more hair] because the split ends are so high.”
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Section 5 of 5:

What are split ends?

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  1. Split ends often resemble a “Y” shape, though they may also have multiple splits, like a tree branch. They occur when the hair’s protective outer layer becomes damaged, causing the inner layer to unravel and become brittle. Some common causes include heat or chemical damage, excessive friction, or environmental factors like sun exposure. [25]
    • Tran says, “Unfortunately, everyone gets split ends. It’s just the amount of split ends you get that is a little different from person to person. Preventing them depends on your lifestyle. Your hair is a living thing, so you have to be gentle with it.”

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How often should you cut your hair if you want it to grow?
    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 should get a small trim every 6-8 weeks to keep split ends at a minimum. This will allow you to accumulate length while maintaining hair health.
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  • Question
    How does a split end form?
    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
    A split end happens when the tip of the hair is damaged. The end will unravel like a frayed thread and then separate, creating the split.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Why does cutting your hair make it grow faster?
    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
    Cutting your hair doesn't increase the rate of growth. However, it does keep the ends of your hair healthy. If you don't get trims, your hair will split and break instead of growing.
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      Tips

      • Use a pair of sharp cutting shears whenever you're cutting your hair. Using dull scissors will cause even more split ends.
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      • Trim your hair against a light background if you have dark hair, or vice versa.
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      • Remember, practice makes perfect! You may miss some split ends the first time you try to trim them, so feel free to go over your hair a few times to make sure you get them all.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Put hair oil on the tips of your hair and leave it on overnight. Wash your hair the next day and let it dry naturally. The oil will help hydrate your ends!
      • Most straight-haired people prefer cutting their hair while it's damp. This is because the hair won't move as much, so it's easier to cut a straight line.
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      Warnings

      • No matter which method you choose, move slowly so you don’t make any mistakes or accidentally cut yourself.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/trim-your-own-hair/
      2. ↑ https://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/trim-your-own-hair/
      3. ↑ https://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/trim-your-own-hair/
      4. ↑ https://greatist.com/live/hair-dusting#How-to-dust-hair
      5. ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-trim-split-ends?srsltid=AfmBOoqlmoYEF0-MHitEer27VXSY0WrqOPYP706Gc6Wp6Mx-3BfANuma
      6. ↑ http://www.instyle.com/how-tos/hair-dusting-for-split-ends
      7. ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-trim-split-ends?srsltid=AfmBOoqlmoYEF0-MHitEer27VXSY0WrqOPYP706Gc6Wp6Mx-3BfANuma
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmJZGNsGzjg#t=1m15s
      9. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/hair-dusting-way-get-healthy-hair-without-losing-inch-t107296
      1. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/hair-dusting-way-get-healthy-hair-without-losing-inch-t107296
      2. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/hair-dusting-way-get-healthy-hair-without-losing-inch-t107296
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmJZGNsGzjg#t=18s
      4. ↑ https://annierosette.com/trim-split-ends-at-home/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmJZGNsGzjg#t=25s
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmJZGNsGzjg#t=25s
      7. ↑ http://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/trim-your-own-hair/
      8. ↑ http://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/trim-your-own-hair/
      9. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips
      10. ↑ https://www.ogleschool.edu/blog/different-types-of-split-ends/
      11. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips
      12. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips
      13. ↑ https://www.thecut.com/article/are-my-hair-ties-causing-breakage.html
      14. ↑ https://www.ogleschool.edu/blog/different-types-of-split-ends/
      15. ↑ https://paulmitchell.edu/logan/blog/posts/how-often-do-i-really-need-to-trim-my-hair
      16. ↑ https://www.ogleschool.edu/blog/different-types-of-split-ends/

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