Contributing writer: Dwayne PressleyAskDwayne.com
Split ends (which are properly termed trichoptilosis--which means the splitting of hair fiber) occur when the protective portion of the hair (called the cuticle) becomes damaged. Although split ends may occur anywhere on the hair shaft, they mostly appear on the ends of the hair.
No matter what some haircare products may tell you, it is impossible to repair split ends. You may however purchase products that will "seal" the split ends, but trust me...this will only be a short term solution. So, no matter what these haircare products promise they can do for you, they CAN NOT repair split ends. The only way to fix the problem is to cut the split ends off. If you choose to ignore your split ends, they will get worse. The hair will continue to split up the shaft (sometimes all the way up until it reaches the roots) until it breaks off.
Causes
Over processing the hair with chemicals, or brushing the hair too harshly can cause split ends. Combing the hair with uneven teeth in combs, or uneven bristles in brushes will cause damage as well. If at all possible avoid using nylon bristles and cut back on heat directly applied to the hair...like blowdryers, flat irons, curling irons, and hot curlers.
How the Damage Takes Place
Step by step how split ends occur.
First the hair is weakened.
Next, the cuticle begins to break down.
Then the cuticle disappears, layer by layer. This leads to the exposure of the cortex (the nextlayer).
Soon, split ends appear.
Finally the hair breaks.
Prevention
One of the easiest ways to damage the hair is to comb it or treat it harshly, while it is wet. While hair is wet it is in it's most fagile state. So after washing and conditioning the hair,in order to prevent split ends, gently comb out tangles with a wide tooth comb. If your hair is difficult to comb thru, use a leave in contioner, and comb the hair from the ends to the root with either a wide tooth comb or your fingers.
If you treat your hair like it is fragile, by not brushing, scrubbing, or combing too harshly, deep condition your hair (as often as needed) and frequently trimming your ends, then you should have minimum to no split ends.
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