How to Prevent and Get Rid of Split Ends.

The dreaded split ends. Everyone with long hair has, at some point, looked down at the ends of their hair and discovered those annoying splits. But what exactly are they, and how can you avoid getting them? We’ve spoken to the experts and compiled a list of handy tips and tricks to help ensure your hair stays healthy and split-end-free!

What Are Split Ends?

Split ends occur when a hair strand splits in two. They usually appear at the ends of your hair but can occur anywhere along the hair strand. When you have a lot of split ends, it generally indicates that your hair is dry, damaged, or brittle. People with numerous split ends often find it difficult to grow their hair past a certain length, as it tends to snap off before reaching the desired length.

What Causes Split Ends?

Several factors can cause or increase the chances of split ends, such as excessive heat styling, hair colouring, or poor brushing habits.

– Heat Styling Without Protection

Lifestyle factors like excessive heat styling with blow dryers or hair straighteners can make your hair highly prone to split ends, as they tend to dry out the hair and strip away much-needed moisture. To reduce your chances of split ends from heat styling, always use a thermal hair protection spray, such as RPR Protect My Hair, before picking up the blow dryer or hair straightener. It lightly coats and shields the hair up to 220 degrees, offering a protective barrier and locking in hair hydration.

– Hair Colouring & Lightening Services

Colouring your hair, especially lightening and bleaching, can increase your chances of split ends. This is because excessive hair colouring can weaken the hair structure and bonds, causing them to break or split. To maintain your hair’s integrity during the colouring process, ask your hairdresser for Amiplex. Amiplex is a professional, advanced two-step bond-building system that can be added to all colour and bleach products to ensure your hair stays strong and healthy. It also helps maintain and reconnect the hair bonds and internal structure.

– Incorrectly Combing or Brushing

Did you know that brushing your hair incorrectly can increase your chances of split ends? At RPR Australia, we recommend brushing your hair from the bottom to the top. Take small sections from the mid-lengths or lower parts and brush down, then work your way up. Starting at the top can create more knots and tangles, increasing the risk of hair damage and breakage. Additionally, because hair is more fragile when wet, another tip to avoid split ends and breakage is to use a wide-tooth comb. These combs are designed to detangle wet hair gently. If you find your hair, or your kids’ hair, especially knotty after washing, we recommend investing in a detangling spray such as RPR Untangle Me. This refreshing spray-on conditioner is designed for frictionless wet combing while promoting stronger, healthier, shiny hair.

How Do I Fix Split Ends?

Unfortunately, once a hair strand splits in two, the only way to remove the split end is to cut it off. That’s why prevention and regular trims are so important. While you may not always be able to avoid split ends, there are many measures you can take to reduce their occurrence.

– Book Regular Trims at the Hairdresser

As mentioned earlier, once a hair strand starts to split, the only way to protect it from further splitting is to cut it off. Generally, the longer you wait between trims, the higher up the hair the split ends will be. To keep split ends at bay, we recommend booking regular trims at the hairdresser every eight weeks, regardless of your hair length. Regular trims will ensure your ends are fresh, fabulous, and frizz-free.

– Hydrate & Moisturise Your Hair Regularly

To keep your hair as healthy as possible between trims, it’s important to maintain hydration and moisture. At RPR Australia, we recommend gently sealing and protecting the ends of your hair with RPR Smooth My Ends. This leave-in conditioning treatment moisturises and smooths out any split ends, giving your hair an instant boost of health and shine. It also provides a burst of hydration, making your hair stronger and less prone to splitting.

Additionally, RPR Fix My Frizz Smoothing Serum is excellent for treating, sealing, and moisturising the ends of your hair. This serum helps tame frizz while providing added gloss and shine.

In Conclusion

When it comes to split ends, prevention, hydration, and regular trims are key. While you may not be able to prevent all split ends, consistently using heat protection while styling, asking for Amiplex during colouring services, and brushing your hair correctly will significantly reduce the chances of split ends forming. Lastly, remember that as soon as you see any split ends forming, it’s best to visit your favourite hairstylist for a hair revive and refresh.