The Myth Squad – Is it possible to repair split ends?

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Has a season of sun, heat and water wreaked havoc on your hair? Are you desperately searching for ways to fix those split ends? This month The Myth Squad is exploring the beauty legend that claims you can repair split ends.

First, lets define what a split end is exactly is and how they happen. A split end is simply damage at the bottom of the hair strand that causes it to unravel or split at the shaft.

Split ends can be caused by a multitude of reasons, including:

    • • Too much heat from flat irons, curling devices and blow dryers.

 

    • • Excessive chemical treatments from straighteners, perms and hair color.

 

    • • The use of styling tools that rips or snag hair.

 

    • • Lack of routine maintenance such as regular trimming.

 

    • • Improper detangling techniques.

 

    • Over washing and overuse of styling products such as gels, waxes and sprays.

On to the myth of repairing split ends. Some will call it semantics but, there is a difference between “repair” and “mend”. You cannot repair hair to its original undamaged condition, but there are ways to mend it.

By mend, I mean use products that temporarily bind the ends together and make it appear healthy. However, ultimately the only way to remove a split end is to cut it off.

(image: antique scissors via TheCornerStoreBK’s Etsy shop)

If you’re not ready to pull out the scissors, for a temporary split-free appearance try these steps:

1. Use a leave in conditioner aka “mending product” and give special attention to the ends. This will give your hair extra protection.
2. Gently towel dry and detangle hair with a wide tooth comb.
3. Apply a pea sized drop of serum for shine.
4. Use a large paddle or round brush and a blow dryer and blow your hair completely dry.
5. Make sure split end areas are dried as straight as possible. When hair is straight it draws less attention to the damage.
Optional step: use a heat protectant product and flat iron the last 1 to 2 inches of your hair on all sides. This helps make the bottom of your hair look uniform.
6. Use light hairspray with silk to help maintain the temporary mending.

Personally, mending split ends is a bit labor intensive for me. I prefer a regular trim to keep my ends and hair looking healthy. Just cutting that half inch or so of damaged hair can make a big difference. Your entire hairstyle will look, feel and actually be healthier.

So, the wht Myth Squad Verdict? This myth is debunked. You cannot repair split ends but, you can temporarily mend them.

we heartsters – How do you fight split ends? Are you a believer in regular trims? Share your tips in the comments.

Author

  • hao9703

    Holly is a Midwestern gal living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She loves gardening, animals and is a skin care junkie. She's always on the quest to try something new or old and live the best life possible. skin tone: NW 20 skin type: a true combo; normal, dry and oily favorite beauty product: skincare

11 Comments

  1. Good article, Holly! There are so many products that claim to “fix” split ends, so it’s nice to get the truth behind the marketing. I usually just get a trim when my split ends are getting out of control.

  2. Reese Maybrier says:

    Although I already have a lot of silver hair at the age of 30,I am blessed with split-ends-free hair anyway!
    I suggest that when you dry you hair, do it by pressing a bunch of hair between the towels and not rub it off. Same procedure when you remove extra oil from your french fries using the paper napkins.

    1. That’s a good tip Reese – I always try to go super gentle with the towel drying and as you mentioned no rubbing.

      Welcome to we heart this!

  3. Your “repair vs. mend” explanation is wonderful, @hao9703 . I have long hair and split ends are an unfortunate fact of life for me, so I’m going to give your mending regime a try!

  4. Another great article and “burning question” answered @hao9703 Holly – thanks. I’ll never again be fooled by a product that promises to repair my split ends and fork over my time and money for a trim instead.

  5. Thanks for the tips :) I use a great hair product I bought at safrons, it’s Pro Naturals Moroccan Oil hair treatment with heat protector, it leaves my hair healthy, shiny and resilient :)

  6. Great Mythbuster Holly! It totally makes sense and I’m glad to know my hair stylist isn’t lying! One thing she always says too, is to not only use a wide tooth comb for detangling wet hair, but to do it while still in the shower after you put your conditioner on. Seems to help a little at least for me. Nice job as always!

  7. I have really oily, healthy hair, so I don’t get split ends as fast as others. In fact, I only get trims once every four to five months (except for my bangs. Those get trimmed a lot.)

    If you get split ends easily, take a good long look at your routine! I notice when I use heating tools a lot (hair dryers, flat irons, et cetera), my hair gets split ends faster. However, when I don’t use heating tools and stay with my regular routine, my hair stays as healthy as ever.

    Another tip is be gentle with your hair! Don’t rake your brush through your hair like it’s WWIII! If find that you’re ripping out healthy hair, that’s not good. Start from the bottom and GENTLY pull your brush through a section of the hair. When you’re done with the bottom, go up to the middle and brush down. Continue until your done with that section. Really think of your hair as you would your most prized object. Be gentle, treat it right and it’ll be healthy as can be. If you’re mean to it and rip a brush and comb through it, of course it’s going to be full of split ends! Your hair is like the rest of you; it deals with trauma too!

  8. Wow those antique scissors are scary looking. I didn’t think you could repair split ends, but now I know for sure. For some reason I haven’t had split ends since I was a kid – I guess it’s just luck. I have enough problems with my hair falling out, so I guess I am rewarded with hair free of split ends. And I don’t even use conditioner anymore since it makes my hair look even more skinny.

    1. Jeni – I originally had this reeeeeeeeally long comment, but I went to your blog (thankfully) and saw you suffer from hair loss so here’s some suggestions:

      1. Acupuncture. Yep, this little thing has a lot of benefits. It’s all about stimulation. This would be the same as massage (which is what I do everyday, not for hair loss, but because it feels so darn good). Studies show that in conjunction with medication, using alternative treatments like massage or acupuncture can increase the benefits of the medicine. Please note that it does take many months for months to work, even up to a year, so never stop taking your medicine without seeing your doctor! It can be dangerous.

      2. Scalp massages – Ditto about stimulation.

      3. Be gentle with thou hair. I’m serious. Get a gentle brush. Wide-toothed combs only. Heating tools only on special occasions. No updos.

      4. Get your vitamin D – Did you know that low Vitamin D levels have been linked to hair loss? Have your doctor check your Vitamin D levels if he/she hasn’t all ready!

      Well, I guess it’s a long comment. Sorry!

  9. split ends are evil! they prevent your hair from growing long b/c it invests all of its energy in trying to maintain them.

    i used to cut them off myself, but i found a nice hair dresser who does it better :D
    i cut my hair every 3-4 months, ad it really shows (a better way of saying that it really shows when i don’t…)

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