The formal name for split ends is Trichoptilosis, it presents as frayed endings to the hair shaft or longitudinal splitting.
This type of damage is an effect of external interference. Often caused by lack of regard for the hair’s external layer, the cuticle. Over styling with heat and extreme chemical damage may degrade the hair’s tip and cause it to spit upwards. To rectify you must cut the hair above the damage. Certain products like ghd Advance Split End Therapy my help disguise the issue buy acting like a glue to mask the damage on the ends rather than repairing the hair’s tip.
What happens if I have split ends all the way up the hair? The common cause for this is known as Trichorrhexis Nodosa. This is where the cuticle of the hair is externally damaged and causes the cortex of the hair to bulge out and cause a weakness in the shaft. Often caused by environmental stress such as burns in the shaft by heat styling tools or chemical stress caused by colouring or chemical straightening. These nodes on the hair will eventually break off. Gentle treatment and soft brushing may help prolong the breakage, but a change of styling habits, a reduction in chemical treatments and a decent haircut.
I suppose by now you are wondering how to fix split ends? Well the best way is to protect the cuticle (outer layer of the hair) is to use a good conditioner that flattens the cuticle closed. The cuticle resembles fish scales or roof tiles, at the base of the hair shaft near the scalp the cuticle is tightly closed, then as the hair grows, the shaft gets exposed to more and more environmental damage and degrades causing split ends and weaknesses up the shaft.
What is a good conditioner to use for split ends? Because split ends are caused by environmental stress causing the hair to dehydrate and split at the ends, we recommend moisture rich conditioners, these emulations are acidic and help shut the cuticle flat. Make sure you choose a moisture level that is right for the thickness of your hair, meaning that you don’t want to use a thick heavy conditioner on fine hair and visa versa. A certain level of protein to strengthen hair is also important part of conditioning and may help with Trichorrhexis Nodosa temporarily.
We also recommend using a heat protectant in your hair prior to thermal styling. This will act as a barrier between your hair and the heat source. Much like a takeaway coffee cup. Your hand is protected by the hot contents. Kevin Murphy hair care includes heat protecting properties in most of his products.
Some essential oils help with repairing and protecting split ends. Read advice on the top 10 essential oils for the hair and scalp here
