One day, you noticed that the ends of your hair were frayed like the end of an unraveled rope. We’ve all been there, as split ends are one of the most common hair problems. The ends of our hair are the oldest and weakest part of our hair shaft, making them prone to dryness and damage. Common causes include chemical processing, exposure to heat and bad hair care habits. Unfortunately, once split ends happen, you cannot do anything to get rid of them but to cut them off. However, there are ways to prevent split ends (though we shouldn’t expect to avoid them completely) that we will reveal right below. So keep reading to know the secrets behind healthy, gorgeous locks!
Detangle your hair properly
It’s a no-brainer that brushing hair is what we do every day. It sounds simple, but are you sure you’re detangling your hair the right way? To prevent split ends, you should use a wide-tooth comb, which helps glide through your strands without damaging the ends. Gently brush from the ends and work your way up to avoid pulling your hair.
Also, remember to detangle your hair before washing. Don’t brush wet hair unless you have curly or wavy hair. If you are wondering how to prevent split ends curly hair, brush it the right way by wetting it with a curly hair product beforehand. Brushing curly hair when it is dry will only make it frizzy and lose definition.
Avoid overbrushing
You may want to brush your hair many times a day to keep it neat and smooth. However, you needn’t and shouldn’t do so, as overbrushing your hair will cause too much friction on the strands, making them prone to breakage.
Choose the right shampoo
One of the most important ways to prevent split ends has to do with proper shampooing, which begins with choosing the right product. Products to prevent split ends are those free of harsh chemicals, such as sulfate, paraben or alcohol. These chemicals are known to strip your hair of its natural moisture, making it dry and brittle.
Avoid hot water
Wondering how to prevent split ends on natural hair? Another tip to keep in mind is to avoid using hot water for washing hair. Hot water may make you feel comfortable but does more harm than good. It causes the cuticles of your hair to open and swell, making them prone to splits. Instead, using lukewarm or cold water helps close the cuticles and retain moisture.
Be gentle after washing your hair
Once you finish washing your hair, resist the urge to rub it dry with a towel immediately. As your hair is wet, it is at its most vulnerable state and requires TLC. Gently squeeze it out to remove excess water and wrap a soft towel, preferably a microfiber towel around it. Gently squeeze your hair without rubbing or twisting vigorously will help avoid damaging your hair cuticles. This is an important step if you want to know how to prevent split ends and breakage.
Don’t blow dry the ends
Blowing drying your hair is not recommended, but in case of need, remember to focus on the roots and mid-lengths only. The more heat your hair ends are exposed to, the more likely they are to be damaged. Therefore, it’s best to let the ends dry naturally.
Use a hair mask/ deep conditioner
Besides applying a conditioner to your hair after shampooing, your hair will thank you if you give it a hair mask or a deep conditioner treatment once a week. You can use a homemade hair mask containing natural ingredients, such as avocado, aloe vera, shea butter… that infuses your hair with extra moisture and helps tame frizziness and dryness.
See more: Homemade Hair Mask For Dry/Damaged Hair
Use a nourishing oil
After drying your hair, it’s recommended to apply a nourishing oil to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. A hair oil not only provides your hair with moisture but also creates a protective layer for the hair shaft, thus helping prevent split ends.
Minimize the use of heat tools
Needless to say, heat is always the worst enemy of hair. Therefore, it’s best to stay away from heat tools and opt for heat-free styling methods. However, if you have no choice but to style your hair using heat, take care to protect your hair by applying a heat protectant on it beforehand. Make sure you heat style your hair once a week at maximum to minimize the risk of damage.
Sleep with care
When it comes to how to prevent split ends, the way you sleep also matters. It’s not just about going to bed with your hair flowing naturally. You’d better put your hair into a loose ponytail or braids and tie it with a silky scrunchie. Also, replace your cotton pillowcase with a silk or satin one, as this material helps reduce friction caused on your hair and thus limits dryness and frizziness.
Get regular trims
No matter how well you take care of your hair, your hair still runs a certain risk of split ends due to some uncontrollable factors. Therefore, when learning how to prevent split ends naturally, one simple yet effective way is to give your ends a trim every 6-8 weeks. This helps prevent the weakest part of your hair from traveling up the hair shaft and causing further damage.
Protect your hair while swimming
Chlorinated water or saltwater is known to make hair dry and brittle. Therefore, whenever you go swimming, take measures to protect your hair from its damaging effects by following these tips:
- Wetting your hair with clean water before swimming to make it harder for chlorinated water or saltwater to penetrate into your hair.
- Apply a natural oil or a leave-in conditioner to your hair before swimming to create a protective layer for your hair.
- Wear a high-quality swim cap and make sure it fits your head.
- Once you get out of the water, immediately rinse your hair thoroughly before washing your hair with a gentle clarifying shampoo.
Final thoughts:
There is no best way to prevent split ends, so incorporating as many measures above as possible into your hair care routine will help you effectively prevent split ends. Start today and welcome healthier, more beautiful locks!
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