Talk about hair nuisances, and split ends top the list. They happen to all hair types, although to different degrees, and can ruin your whole look. No one is entirely immune to split ends since every hair strand gets old. When it comes down to it, you might need to tweak your hair care routine.
What Do Split Ends Look Like?
Noticed uneven length at the ends of your hair? Seen them flat, thin, and dull? Or do they break on a mild touch? Those are split ends. Better put, split ends are Y-shaped when looked at closely. In some hair types, a white dot at the end is indicative that a part of the hair has been broken off, leaving split ends.
Types of Split Ends
Split ends can take on several looks with slight differences. Understanding what causes split ends is the first step in preventing them. Once you know the forms they take, it makes it even easier to identify and type-treat.
Double Split Ends
This is the traditional or most common type of split end. Here, the hair shaft simply splits into two at the tip. This kind occurs from wrong styling techniques or overworking your hair.
Tree Split Ends
In this case, the hair strands branch into several places, taking on the form of a tree. A trim is a quick remedy in this situation.
Fork Split Ends
A fork split tells you that your hair is dehydrated, and a Moisturizing Shampoo from GK Hair is just the right fix.
Partial Split Ends
With a partial split, your hair is not severely damaged. Nothing a solid hair care routine with the right products can't fix.
How Do Split Ends Happen?
Usually, when you use the wrong hair products or expose your hair to damage for a long time, you predispose the inner part of the hair shaft—the cortex—to external damage. Once this happens, all kinds of symptoms ranging from rough, dry, brittle, and frizzy strands show up.
Split ends are chaotic because they don't just stop at chopping off the lengths of your hair, they can spread up your hair shaft. So, you can either “hide them” or chop them off with a trim.
What Causes Split Ends?
The ends of your hair are the oldest and the most fragile. With just a mild touch, they can snap or worse, break.
Chemical Treatments
Chemicals like dyes, color, and bleach are hair stressors. They weaken the hair shaft and alter its structure, resulting in split ends that may prove hard to control.
Heat Styling
Heat styling does make the hair sleek, soft, and manageable. But what that does is weaken the structure, strip them of oils and moisture, or even break them.
Washing Hair Too Often
No one talks about how battling split ends can feel like a full-time job. Even washing hair often has its consequences. Harsh chemicals in most shampoos and conditioners cause damage to hair, and with frequent use, you experience extreme split ends far more than you can handle. You deserve better than products that leave your hair dry and crunchy. Switch to clarifying and sulfate-free shampoos like GK Hair's PH+ Clarifying Shampoo, which cleanses hair thoroughly and in turn, reduces washing frequency.
Hair Manipulation
Let's be real: not all hairstyles are for you. If your hair is naturally tender and fragile, tight ponytails, buns, braids, or even wearing hair extensions can be what causes split ends in your case. You should also avoid brushing your hair roughly. Always, be sure to apply a conditioner before passing a comb through your hair—and not just a comb, but a wide-toothed comb.
Wrong Product Choice
With so many products on the shelf, making a choice can be tough. At the end of the day, it should be about what works for your hair type. From GK Hair Collections, you can escape having split ends with regular use of the products.
Environmental Factors
Not everything is your fault. Sometimes, the sun, wind, or pollution can pose a threat to your hair. They can even go as far as damaging the hair's protective outer layer. When that happens, the cortex is vulnerable and exposed to more damage.
Is your hair breaking? Read on Hair Breakage Treatment for Shorter Strands
Split Ends Treatment: The Right Fix
Have Regular Trims
A very simple, quick and recommended fix is to trim your hair immediately when you notice split ends. Every 6-8 weeks is suitable to prevent split ends from going all the way up.
Switch to High-Quality Products
Although a fix might be the appropriate split-end treatment at the instant, a more lasting fix after that is to use the right hair care product. Hair serums and creams change everything for split ends. Talk about moisture, strength, and repair, you can get them all from GK Hair's Best Keratin Treatment. More so, GK Hair's Shield Shampoo and Conditioner are formulated to shield your hair from stressors.
Engage in Weekly Masks
Your hair's integrity is at stake without a deep hydrating mask at least once a week. GK Hair's Deep Conditioner works effectively for more hydration than a regular conditioner will offer. On top of that, colored hair can also benefit from our Lavender Bombshell Masque.
Limit Use of Heat Styling Tools
The ends of your hair do not need heat as they are already fragile. Use a heat protectant like ThermalStyleHer Cream or Serum Argan Oil before you use any of these tools.
Brush Hair Gently
Go for hair brushes with soft bristles that won't scatter your hair pattern and cause breakage. More so, before you brush, detangle the ends with your hands first. Begin from the ends and move up slowly instead of beginning from the mid-lengths. Your hair is delicate, so handle it with care.
Protect Your Hair While You Sleep
Tugging while you sleep is almost inevitable. The friction that happens can lead to breakage. Ensure you sleep on a silk pillowcase. You could even engage in overnight treatment with a Deep Conditioner and Serum for more nourishment.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Balanced meals can also contribute to your hair health. Consume more food rich in essential nutrients like protein, minerals, and vitamins, because asides needed by the body, your hair does too.
Wrap Up
Now that you know what causes split ends and the fix, they won't immediately go away, unless you opt for a trim. Even with that, you'll need to continue in a routine that helps strengthen and repair hair because you never know when split ends are about to break out. For hair that feels like there is no hope, try products from GK Hair and see the benefits.
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