Shiny and smooth hair is a goal everyone wants to achieve. However, with so much exposure to the sun, pollution, heating tools, excessive brushing, and chemicals, hair damage is inevitable. But hair damage doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone. While some experience visibly dull and dry hair, others face problems like dandruff and split ends. 

If you’re having trouble achieving a voluminous, shiny, and manageable mane, start by identifying what is holding you back. For instance, if your hair is damaged, how does the damage look like, and what are the causes behind it. 

One of the most common problems that prevent your hair from growing at a normal rate and makes it look dull, dry, and frizzy is split-ends. As a professional reviewer, I have come across numerous hair care products to help you with this problem. Based on my research and experience, today I will let you know how to get rid of split ends. So, without further ado, let us look into the problem and its solutions: 

Table of Contents: 

• What are split ends?
• What causes split ends?
• 5 effective ways to make your split ends vanish
• Conclusion 

What are split ends? 

We all know what split ends are – it’s all in the name. Nevertheless, let’s dive a little deeper. 

Our hair structure is more complex than it seems, and your hair and scalp are split in different areas, with different characteristics. Now, the hair shaft (the part of hair that’s exposed and visible) has three layers. The outermost layer is called the cuticle, the middle layer is called the cortex, and the inner core is called the medulla. 

Split ends occur when the tip of the hair shaft splits into multiple strands. While there are several causes for split ends, they all are responsible for the weathering of the protective and outer layer of the hair – the cuticle, making your hair weak and prone to damage. This weathering and damage ultimately results in split ends and cause your hair to appear frizzy, tangled, and rough. 

If you’re wondering how to get rid of split ends, keep reading because I have some amazing tips for you. For now, let’s learn about the causes of split ends.

What causes split ends?

The causes for split ends can broadly be divided into three categories – physical or environmental causes, nutritional causes, and genetic causes. 

Let’s start with the most common ones - physical and environmental causes:

Damage caused by heat

Your regular grooming and styling habits can cause damage to your hair. Split ends are most commonly caused by heat-based hair styling tools like hairdryers, straightening irons, curling irons, etc. 

When exposed repeatedly to these tools, your hair loses moisture. This leads to damage to the cuticle of your hair, causing it to gradually wear off. Such damage gives way to problems like split ends. If you use excessive heat for hairstyling and wondering how to get rid of split ends, you know what to do.

Sun Damage 

Overexposure to the sun is also a common cause of hair damage. When your hair is directly exposed to UV rays, it loses its natural color, leading to hair lightening (hypopigmentation). Another form of sun damage leads to the deterioration of protein in your hair. Thus, your hair loses flexibility and becomes prone to breakage and dryness. It ultimately leads to damage signs like split ends and frizzy hair. 

Chemical-based products 

This one is a no-brainer! Chemicals like sulfates, parabens, propylene glycol, sodium chloride, ammonia, etc., are often found in hair products like shampoos, conditioners, hair colors, chemical treatments, etc. If you’re not aware and informed about what you put on your hair, the long-term use of such chemicals might be causing damage to your hair. 

Chemicals rip off your hair of essential moisture and nourishment, making it brittle and dry, ultimately leading to split ends. 

Besides these causes, an improper diet and genetic issues might also lead to split ends. 

Now that we know what might cause split ends, let’s see how to get rid of split ends. 

5 effective ways to make your split ends vanish

Split ends are a sign of intense hair damage. Fortunately, there are some ways to help “treat” them, such as:

Get a trim 

Now, I know you’re in love with your long locks. But hear me out – if you have split ends, you’ll have trouble growing your hair longer because it constantly breaks at the ends. So, it is of no use to keep your hair damaged just to temporarily protect half an inch of it. 

Getting a trim to get rid of split ends is one of the most effective ways to make your split ends vanish without a lot of hassle. Also, once you get a trim and your dead ends are gone, your hair will grow at a faster pace. 

Use Hair Oils 

The primary cause of split ends is the loss of moisture and hydration from the hair shaft due to various reasons. Hair oils help seal in moisture and keep your hair hydrated. Additionally, the minerals present in these oils will help nourish your hair, making it stronger, shinier, and healthier. 

The most beneficial oils for hair are coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil, almond oil, onion oil and castor oil. 

Use Chemical-free Hair Products

While oils can restore the nourishment and hydration of your hair, chemical-based products can take it away again. So, choose hair products that are free from chemicals and other harsh ingredients. 

WOW shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks are chemical-free and packed with natural ingredients that nourish your hair and scalp and help prevent split ends.

Avoid Heat

We learned that heat-based styling tools cause damage to the cuticle, leading to split ends. So avoid using them. If your routine requires you to style your hair with heat every day, it is advised to use a heat protectant spray beforehand. It will help prevent heat damage to your hair.

Avoid Excessive Brushing

Brushing your hair – whether wet or dry – leads to damage to its outer protective layer. So, if you’re experiencing split ends and other forms of hair damage, keep a check on your brushing and combing habits. Are you doing it excessively? If yes, again, you know what to do.