A problem faced by many people who have dry and brittle hair, split ends (or Trichoptlosis) can spoil the healthy look of your hair. Erosion of the protective cuticle gives rise to split ends. The hair may split into 2 to 3 strands, sometimes even two to three cm long! Cutting off the split ends periodically seems to be the best option once the problem occurs. However, there are some precautions you can take to prevent split ends from occurring.
What Causes Split Ends?
- Sun Exposure: Frequent and long sun exposures can cause damage to the cuticle giving rise to split ends. Protect your hair while going out with a scarf.
- Harsh Chemicals: The frequent perming or coloring lotions or creams could damage your hair.
- Excessive Combing: When we were children, we were told that you should give your hair 101 strokes to make them lustrous. However, excessive combing actually damages your hair.
- Wet Combing: The busy schedule of many people leaves them so less time that they cannot help but comb their hair when it is wet. This also causes split ends.
- Poor Diet: Heavy dependence on junk foods by today's generation leaves their hair looking lifeless and with split ends.
Tips in Hair Care to Avoid Split Ends
You can try out these tips and bring life back to your hair:
- Trimming: Trimming your hair regularly will give them a healthy look. Trim about 2 to 3 cm from the tips of your hair. If you have time and money to spare, you can get this done regularly from your beauty salon. Otherwise, use a sharp pair of scissors and trim it at home, ask your mom or sister to help out.
- Wash and Condition: Washing and conditioning your hair regularly is very essential to maintain a healthy hair. Whenever you are washing or conditioning your hair, it should be from root to tip, (not vice versa, as this will cause the hair to split more). Therefore, "from root to tip" is the mantra.
- Hair Massage: Give lukewarm oil massage using coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil regularly.
- Avoid Rigorous Brushing: Use a wide-toothed comb for your hair and avoid rigorous brushing. Your hair requires TLC (tender loving care).
- Avoid Wet Brushing: When you are rushing to the office or college, leave your hair as it is. Do the brushing or combing in the office or college rest room once they are dry.
- Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals: If you can help it, do not use harsh chemicals to condition or color your hair frequently. If you are a model, you can't help it, though. Otherwise, keep those treatments for very special occasions. Harsh chemicals can also be present in your water like chlorine, in which case you can try out some chlorine filters available in the market. The water in some areas may be hard water which contains excessive amounts of calcium carbonate which could harm your hair. (In this case, you will have to enquire about "water softening systems" in your housing societies.)
- Enrich Your Diet: Hair is part of your body, so it also requires nourishment. Enrich your diet with the essential nutrients, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. Avoid junk and eat a wholesome meal, complete with fruits, vegetables, and of course plenty of water.
"Battle of the split ends," similar to the "battle of the bulge," requires life-long attention. It is not a "just do it once and you are set for a lifetime" magic. Give your hair some tender loving care and see how it bounces back to life, and then you can show it off to the world like a "proud mother."
