7 DIY Remedies for Split Ends: Effective Tips for Healthy Hair

I. Introduction

Do you know a strand of healthy hair is stronger than a steel wire of the same diameter?

Yes, our hair are naturally strong, but due to our poor choice of hair products, exposure to sun, wind and lack of care can turn them brittle. Lack of nutrition can cause split ends. 

So let us understand why it is important to ensure that our hair are free from split ends and DIY remedies for split ends.

Split ends, also known as trichoptilosis, are a common problem that occurs when hair becomes damaged at the tips or ends.

Nowadays, due to stressful live, pollution and lack of nutrition, women or people with long hair often struggle with unwanted split ends in their hair.

This blog will be about the reasons behind split ends, cure and treatment for the same. 

II. What are Split Ends?

Split ends are when the ends of hair become brittle and dry, and the hair fiber splits, making the hair appear frayed. They usually form a Y-shape or have a forked appearance, and can make hair feel rough and uneven.

Split ends are fiber splits at the edge of your hair strands. They usually form a Y-shape and often leave your hair rough and uneven.

III. Common reasons why split ends occur

Nowadays, a large number of women are suffering from split ends due to various reasons. One of the common reasons is stress coupled with lack of nutrition and air pollution. 

Further, exposing hair to heat styling treatments can lead to more damage. 

IV. Types of Split Ends

To treat split ends, one must understand the nature of the same. There are several types of split ends. 

1. Double Split

This is the common type of hair split where the hair’s tip splits into Y-shape. 

2. Partial Split

It is when hair splits in a small way but doesn’t fully separate into two strands. 

3. Tree Split

When the hair splits into multiple splits to resemble the branches of a tree. The number of splits in a tree split indicates the amount of damage.

4. The Fork

A Fork Split is one where the ends of hair split into three pongs. This indicates dry and dehydrated hair.

5. Y-split

Y-split occurs when your hair split in two, creating a Y-shape. This usually happens when your hair are damaged or worn. A partial split is similar to that of a double split but occurs on a smaller scale. 

6. Multiple splits

This often happens due to extreme exposure to environmental factors such as rain, heat, or pollution.

7. Incomplete splits

It is a visible hair split where a strand of hair is not fully separated into two distinct sections.

V. How to Prevent Split Ends?

Prevention is better than cure. Hence, all of us need to understand a few basic steps to prevent split ends. 

• Regular Trimming: This is very important to avoid split ends. Regular trimming would ensure that the dead hair gets eliminated. 

• Gentle Hair Care: As there are various hair care products which can ruin your curls, it is important to ensure that you use gentle hair care to avoid damaging hair which can cause split ends. 

• Use of mild shampoos and conditioners and avoiding over-washing – There is a thin line between adequate hair wash and over-washing. Ensure you use shampoos only twice or thrice a week. 

You can go for mild shampoos which have lower harmful chemicals and is sulphate-free. 

• Heat Protection: Using heat protectants when styling with hot tools – If you style up your too often using heat styling techniques such as straightening and curls, it can damage your hair and slowly reduce the strength of the hair causing split ends. 

• Proper Brushing: Techniques for detangling hair without causing damage – Regular brushing must be done to avoid tangling of hair. However, do note that over-brushing can lead to the breakage of hair. 

• Hydration and Nutrition: Maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated for stronger hair – The core reason behind bad hair quality is often lack of nutrition. Hence, one must ensure a good intake of the proper level of nutrition to ensure that the hair are strong.

• Drinking adequate water and keeping yourself hydrated is equally important to ensure steady movement of moisture in your hair and avoid split ends. 

VI. DIY Remedies for Split Ends

1. Oil Treatments: Different types of oil use

Oil treatment is the best therapy to treat hair split ends. You can use a concoction of olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil mixed with some herbs. Just warm it a bit and then gently massage it on the scalp.

2. Hair Masks-

Hair Masks are essential to give proper nutrition to hair and replenish the required moisture. There are different types of hair mask such as – 

a. Hydrating Masks –

Such masks infused hair with moisture with the help of oils such as shea, macadamia, jojoba, avocado or coconut oil.

Avocado and Banana Hair Mask-

Both these ingredients helps to keep the curls defined and free from frizz.

Hair Mask:

• Take 1 ripe avocado and mash it.
• Add 1/2 mashed banana in it.
• Mix both of them together
• Add 1 tbsp. of olive oil in it.
• Gently massage the mask in your scalp.
• Keep it for 45 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Castor Oil Hair Mask–

Castor oil is a great hydrating and moisturizing agent, it helps to keep the frizz away from curls and make it soft and smooth.

Hair Mask:

• Take one egg and whisk it properly
• Add 1 tbsp. of castor oil in it.
• And add 1 tbsp. of yogurt in it.
• Mix all the ingredients together.
• Apply the hair mask on your hair strands and scalp.
• Leave it for 45 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water.

b. Hair Growth Masks –

Masks made up of aloe vera, coconut oil, avocado can help in aiding the growth of hair as they supplement protein elements in your hair.

Aloe Vera Hair Mask-

Aloe vera is a natural ingredient which helps to soften and smoothen hair strands. It provides hair with antioxidants and keep them away from frizz.

Hair Mask:

• Take one aloe vera stem.
• Extract the gel out of it.
• Grind the gel into paste.
• Add 1 tbsp. of honey in it.
• Mix the ingredients together.
• Apply the mask into your hair strands and scalp.
• Keep it for 45 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Coconut Oil Hair Mask-

Coconut oil is a magical ingredient, which helps to solve any hair problems and increases hair growth.

Hair Mask-

• Take 1 tbsp. of Coconut oil
• Add 1/2 tbsp. of Lemon juice
• And 1/2 cup of Yogurt.
• Mix the ingredients together.
• Apply the mask on your hair strands and scalp.
• Keep it for 45 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water.

c. Anti-Frizz Masks –

Such masks are full of moisturizing properties which replenish the moisture and turn your frizzy hair into smooth and silky.

Onion Hair Mask–

Onion helps to reduce the frizzy hair and make your curls healthy.

Hair Mask:

• Take one onion and grate it.
• Extract juice from the grated onion.
• Add 1 tbsp. of honey in it.
• Apply the mixture on your hair strands
• Keep it for 30 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Chamomile Hair Mask–

Chamomile is a natural ingredient which is very effective in treating dry and brittle hair. Its antiseptic property helps to enhance hair growth.

Hair Mask:

• Take a pan and boil water in it.
• Soak two bags of Chamomile tea bags in it.
• Once the water color gets changed, that means the water is ready for use.
• The colored water or tea is good for hair rinsing.

3. Leave-in Conditioners: How to make and use DIY leave-in treatments.

Mix aloe vera gel with coconut water, jojoba oil, lavender, orange, or lemon essential oil and leave it in your hair. It will condition your hair and protect your strands from frizz, external conditions and more.

Honey coconut conditioner: Concoction of honey and coconut will provide the required strength to hair, prevent breakage and provide nourishment.

VII. Effective Hair Care Practices

• Avoiding Harsh Chemicals: Why it’s important to limit exposure to dyes, bleaches, and other chemicals.

Most of the products with harsh chemicals and bleaches might quickly give you the desired look but can prove to be harmful in longer run. 

A number of people start observing split ends after a below-par highlight or hair color treatment. Thus, you must ensure a good after-color hair treatment. 

• Protective Hairstyles: Styles that minimize hair damage.

Some of the protective hairstyles which can help you avoid split ends are – 

Box Braids

Corn Rows

Flat Twists

Faux Locs

• Proper Washing Techniques: Using lukewarm water, not over-shampooing, and focusing on the scalp. Yes, washing technique does determine the quality of your hair. Here are some of them- 

• Detangle your hair before washing – The hair turn delicate and brittle post wash thus becoming prone to breakage. 

• Use lukewarm water – Too hot or too cold water can erupt the natural layer of moisture on your hair. Hence, go for lukewarm water to ensure that you wash your hair without harming them. 

• Refrain from over- shampooing – How many hair washes are enough – There can’t be a universally true answer to this. Firstly, it the number of washes depend on how dirty your hair are, texture of your hair, personal care needs and the properties not your shampoo. 

Over-shampooing can make your hair rough and dry and lead to more split ends in the longer run. 

VIII. FAQs about Split Ends

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about split ends. 

Conclusion

So. above are the DIY remedies for split ends from curly hair and make it healthy.

Split Ends are often a result of lack of nutrition, and over-heating techniques. There are ways to get rid of these split ends but one needs to understand the type and nature of splits. 

Split ends can be treated via some treatments. 

You might find Split ends are often tough to remove which causes stress among the people. Not only does the hair lack nutrition but also become lackluster and more prone to breakage. Thus, instead of losing hope, you must consult a hair stylist and get some professional advice.

Also, using the above hair care practices and DIY remedies you can keep your curls healthy without any further damage.

How do you take care of your split ends?