Text: Tatyana Maratova

Caring for split ends applies mostly to ladies with long hairstyles. Split ends of the hair are the result of wear and tear on the hair structure. It can wear out for various reasons: due to dry weather, chemicals for hair coloring, as well as excessive use of heated metal hair curlers.

Basic rules for caring for split ends

Split ends care involves eliminating the damage caused to the hair - to the extent possible - while waiting until healthy hair will not take his place.

How can you take care of split ends? First, trim your hair regularly using a trimmer. Cutting the hair just above the section is the only reliable way removing split ends. Using a trimmer every four weeks will help keep the ends of your hair in check without causing drastic changes in hair length.

Use a moisturizing shampoo for dry hair and conditioner after each shampoo. Use a conditioner containing keratin or echinacea protein, which will “seal” split ends and protect hair.

When caring for split ends, use heated tools sparingly and in moderation. Don't use curling irons or special straightening irons more than twice a week. Point the nozzle of your hair dryer at the roots and mid-section of your hair, do not point it towards the ends of your hair. Use heated tools on low settings temperature regime, avoid excessive heat.

Honey, egg or yogurt

To treat split ends, deep condition your hair about once a week. Always buy quality hair conditioning products. Sometimes you can use a homemade conditioner made from honey, eggs or yogurt using the following recipe: mix egg yolk with one teaspoon of natural honey and 3 teaspoons of olive oil. Rub this mixture into your hair and then put a shower cap on your head. Wash your hair after thirty minutes. Another option for treating split ends is to rub it into split ends. olive oil, and wash it off the next morning.

If you are the owner of long hair, you are probably familiar with this problem. Who regularly cuts their hair split ends of hair are less common.

The longer the hair, the thinner its protective layer. The cuticle is destroyed, causing the structure (fiber) of the inner layer of hair to delaminate.

Most often this occurs at the ends of the hair, but the entire length of the hair can be damaged.

Take a closer look at your hair: are they lighter at the ends than the rest? It's time for you to go to the hairdresser. As a rule, 2-3 cm need to be cut off.

If your hair has severe split ends, pay more attention to protecting it. After all, split ends are the result of either physical or chemical stress to the hair - careless combing, styling, coloring, etc. There can be only one treatment here - scissors...

How can you overcome the problem of split ends?

1. If you cannot do without a hairdryer, be sure to use a cool setting. Cold air flows soften and moisturize dry hair.

2. Drink more fluids. Water keeps our body and hair toned and moisturizes it from the inside.

3. Wet hair is very vulnerable, so you should not comb it or style it wet, because... you can stretch them and loosen them. Try to use the comb less often - no more than 2 times a day.

4. If your hair is tangled, it is better to break it into small strands and try to gently untangle it with your fingers, starting from the ends, gradually moving up to the roots.

Avoid brushes with metal teeth. A comb or comb with wide teeth is less traumatic for the hair. You can also use a wooden brush.

5. Pay attention to the quality of the hairpins you use. They should not have any flaws or uneven ends.

6. Keep your hair out of the sun. UV rays dry out and discolor hair.

7. In the cold season and in windy weather, you should collect long hair and stab. Frost and wind do not have the best effect on hair.

If you wear woolen clothes or items made from artificial fiber, avoid letting your hair come into contact with them. This will protect your hair from excessive electrification.

8. Cut your hair with sharp scissors. Dull scissors will damage the hair structure. You need to trim your hair regularly, at least once every two months.

9. Consult with specialists more often which hair care products are best for you, and select them for your hair type.

10. Try to dye your hair less. Any dye, regardless of quality, dries out the hair, making it more brittle. Maybe we should remember our grandmother's recipes? After all, it is possible to give a shiny shade to your hair using natural dyes such as chamomile, henna, shell walnut etc.

11. Your hair needs hydration! Try to moisturize them more and more often. Hair delamination begins due to the fact that it lacks moisture and loses natural fats.

Split ends of hair are not a medical pathology, but may indicate disorders in the body or certain diseases. Violation of the structure of the rod leads to its delamination, fragility and loss.

Hair structure and types

The hair shaft, located above the level of the scalp, consists of three layers:

• Cuticles;
• Cortex (cortical layer);
• Medulla (medulla).

The cuticle is responsible for the smoothness of the shaft. It consists of keratinized scales, which are located from the root to the end and tightly overlap each other in the form of tiles. The scales contain fatty acids, which give the hair gloss and water-repellent properties.

They are resistant to water, but can be destroyed by chemicals. If the structure of the cuticle is porous, then the hair shaft is dry and brittle, susceptible to rapid contamination due to the penetration of dust, dirt, and sebaceous gland secretions into the pores.

The cortex is responsible for the elasticity of curls. The peculiarity of the structure of this layer is responsible for the fact that the rod is smooth or crimped. Curls are genetically determined and are inherited. When the structure of the cortical layer is disrupted, the hair becomes brittle. The main substance of the cortex is keratin (90%), and the second layer also contains a coloring pigment. The variety of hair shades and colors determines the amount of melanin and air bubbles.

The porous structure of the medulla promotes thermoregulation. The strength and volume of the hair depends on its condition.

The root is located in the follicle where the ducts of the sebaceous glands flow. Depending on the activity of the glands, hair is divided into:

• Normal;
• Dry;
• Fat;
• Mixed.

Dry hair is characterized by separation of the cuticle scales, which causes split ends of the hair.

Split end of hair

Causes of structural damage

Most often split ends and dry hair fall out Thin hair. The same process can also appear on long hairstyle, which is due to the life cycle and the effect on the follicle of a long and heavy shaft.

Hair splits severely due to exposure to various external factors:

• chemical action (coloring, perm, chlorinated and hard water);
• thermal effects (blow-drying, temperature changes, insolation, curling with a curling iron, straightening with an iron);
• mechanical damage (elastic bands, hairpins, tight weaving, use of synthetic combs with sharp teeth);
• traumatic effects of the environment.

In addition to endogenous factors, internal (exogenous) factors influence the structure and health of the hairline:

Before starting treatment for split ends of hair, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a trichologist in order to identify the underlying causes of the pathological process.

Diagnosis of the condition

During the consultation, a trichologist performs a visual examination of the condition of the scalp using a special device - a trichoscope. The device is equipped with a microscope and a light source. Some devices transmit data to a computer, which evaluates the area being examined. If necessary, additional laboratory tests are prescribed:

• microscopic examination of hair and skin scrapings;
• bacterial culture;
• clinical blood test.

If exogenous causes of split ends are suspected, a full laboratory and hardware examination of the body is performed. After determining the underlying causes of the violation of the structure of curls, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Various Treatment Methods

Treatment of split ends of hair must be carried out comprehensively. Simply cutting off the exfoliated damaged part is not enough, since the process without appropriate therapy can spread throughout the entire rod.

We will not consider drug treatment of systemic diseases, the symptom of which is a violation of the structure, strength and health of the hair shaft. Since there are many pathologies leading to fragility and delamination of the latter.

Let's look at several ways to get rid of split ends using:

• hairdressing techniques;
• cosmetic procedures;
• physiotherapy;
• diet therapy and vitaminization;
• traditional methods of treatment.

Hairdressing methods

Hairdressers have many ways to combat split ends. These include:

• hot haircut;
• polishing split ends of hair using lamination, screening, eluminating and thermal moisturizing;
• professional masks, shampoos, balms;
• gentle coloring;
• correct selection of length for heavy hair.

"Hot" haircut

You can remove split ends by cutting with hot scissors. According to statistics, after a month of cutting with ordinary scissors, the shaft delaminates again, since the open tip loses moisture and undergoes splitting. The heated blade of the scissors “seals” the hair. Under a microscope, such a section looks like a mirror.

At the same time, the hair retains moisture, becomes manageable, does not tangle, acquires volume and shine, and the period of its vitality is extended. To consolidate the effect, you need to undergo 5-6 procedures.

Lamination

What to do if your hair splits along its entire length? Lamination process - the answer to the question

It involves coating the hair shaft with a special compound that prevents the cuticle scales from splitting and eliminates split ends. The biolaminating composition used contains vitamins, proteins and other biologically active substances. They provide nutrition to the hair. The film formed on its surface reduces porosity, retains moisture and nutrients, and adds shine and elasticity. At the same time, the structure of the coating does not interfere with gas exchange.

In addition to the listed advantages, the lamination procedure allows you to avoid special care. Professionals only advise using a special shampoo with a low alkali content. To maintain the desired effect, the procedure must be repeated after 1-1.5 months.

Lamination takes place in several stages. The hot stage allows you to “lift” the scales and penetrate deeply into the hair structure with useful substances. The cold stage restores the structure, covering the hair with a special film. Modern methods We offer color lamination. This method not only allows you to restore split ends, but also protects it from an aggressive external environment and completely hides gray hair, thanks to safe ion dyeing using natural pigments.

Shielding

The new shielding procedure protects hair from ultraviolet radiation, temperature, pollution, etc. The disadvantage is high price and the need for pre-lamination.

Professional care products

A specialist in the salon can recommend special cosmetical tools hair care. Many cosmetic companies are now focused on producing natural cosmetics and care products. Correct selection shampoos, masks, balms will ensure the health of the hair along its entire length.

Physiotherapeutic and cosmetological methods of recovery

To prevent split ends, you can undergo physiotherapeutic procedures both in specialized medical centers and in salons equipped with equipment.

Effective methods of treating the scalp include such hardware methods as:

• cryomassage;
• galvanization;
• electrophoresis;
• pulse therapy;
• laser therapy;
• massage, etc.

Under the influence of high-frequency pulse currents, low-intensity laser radiation, currents of low voltage and strength, and cold, blood supply, nutrition, and respiration are activated. The function of the sebaceous glands and immune processes are also normalized. Physiotherapy procedures have antioxidant, antibacterial, regenerating and antifungal properties.

As a result, the scalp becomes healthier and gets rid of dermatoses. Curls become elastic, keratin synthesis increases, split ends disappear, the structure of the shaft is restored, and viability is prolonged. During the process of electrophoresis, special medications, microelements (magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc.) and vitamins (pyroxidine - B6) are introduced into the scalp.

In addition to physiotherapeutic methods, you can use hardware cosmetology and.

Diet therapy and vitaminization

Without changing your diet, it is impossible to maintain the effect of treatment for a long time. The health and vitality of curls is affected by bad habits, diets, fasting, improper drinking regimen, diet poor in microelements and vitamins. Nutritionists say that there are foods that promote hair growth and strengthening. Proper nutrition and sufficient quantity clean water will help get rid of split ends. To do this, you need to eat foods containing:

• amino acids, such as cysteine. There is a lot of it in soybeans, cottage cheese, beef and poultry, cereals, and seafood.
• Fats, which not only form part of cell membranes, but also transport fat-soluble vitamins. Supplementing the diet vegetable oils, sour cream, nuts, seeds, you can restore hair and avoid hair loss.
• Microelements – zinc, calcium, copper, iron, iodine, selenium. They are found in all products in varying quantities. Iron and zinc normalize cellular respiration and nutrition, ensure blood supply to the follicle and hair thickness. The elements are contained in cottage cheese, eggs, seeds, meat, and dairy products. Iodine supports follicular function. Contained in seafood. Silicon and calcium strengthen hair and stimulate regeneration (restoration) processes. Included in strawberries, millet, leafy greens, and legumes.
• The necessary vitamins are obtained from vegetables and fruits, vegetable oils, meat and eggs.

All owners of long hair are familiar with the problem of split ends. Hair splitting and brittleness leads to a deterioration in its overall appearance. In addition, split ends contribute to hair breakage. different lengths, which significantly reduces the thickness of the tail. Dry and brittle ends are not the norm. Why do they arise and how to deal with them?

Causes of split ends

Many girls believe that brittle and dry hair ends always appear, regardless of the circumstances. In fact, your hair shouldn't split. If this happens, there is a reason. It is important to find and eliminate it as soon as possible, before the negative factor leads to a change in the structure of the hair along its entire length. Most often, split ends are due to the following reasons:

1. Adverse weather conditions. Hair always reacts painfully to environmental changes. High temperature, excessive insolation, or vice versa cold and rain can lead to hair problems. The worst effect on them is dry, frosty air. Therefore, in winter, the ends look worse and need more intensive care.
2. Hard water. This is the water that contains a large number of salts, metals, minerals and various impurities. Unfortunately, tap water is hard almost everywhere. Washing your hair with such water significantly spoils the quality of your hair.
3. Hypovitaminosis. A lack of various water- and fat-soluble vitamins in the body also worsens the condition of the hair. Most often, this condition occurs in the spring and is accompanied by dull skin and brittle nails.
4. Pregnancy. This condition is accompanied not only by a lack of vitamins in a woman’s body, but also by hormonal imbalance. All this leads to a change in the structure of the hair, its delamination and fragility.
5. Using a hair dryer, straightener or curling iron. Frequent exposure high temperature negatively affects the condition of the hair. The tips are especially sensitive to this damaging factor.
6. Perm. Very often, the price of beautiful, long-lasting curls is fragility and hair loss. Aggressive mixtures used for curling always leave unpleasant consequences.
7. Coloring. Dye containing ammonia dries out your hair, causing split ends. Dye without ammonia is less aggressive, but also less durable, which forces you to dye your hair more often. This also negatively affects their structure.
8. Masks with henna. It's really remedy, which will help not only shade your hair, but also reduce hair loss. However, henna greatly dries both the scalp and the entire length of the hair, so its use should be limited.
9. Using cosmetics for oily hair. Often girls with combination hair mistakenly choose shampoos, conditioners and masks for oily skin heads. Such products dry out the ends greatly and contribute to their separation. It is also worth considering that any remedy for normalizing sebum secretion on the head can be used for no more than a month, and if necessary, the course can be repeated after a break.

There are many ways to deal with hair breakage and give it beautiful appearance. Among them there are radical ones, such as:

1. A haircut. You can trim the ends or make the haircut shorter. Experts advise getting your hair cut every 1.5-2 months. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to grow long hair this way. Sometimes short haircut– the only way to combat brittle hair.
2. Haircut with hot scissors. It also shortens the hair, but the ends remain welded together for a long time and the procedure can be repeated less frequently, allowing the hair to grow back.
3. Polishing. This is a relatively new method of dealing with damaged ends. A special attachment on the clipper removes only stray hairs, leaving the rest intact. This way the hair becomes healthier, but the length does not suffer.

In addition to this, there are a number salon procedures and special care products that can improve hair condition:

1. Keratinization. For split ends, this is an opportunity to get a second life. Keratin protein penetrates the hair structure, making it healthier and thicker. However, if the ends are too split, it is recommended to cut them first. After keratinization, hair may stop splitting altogether.
2. Lamination. The procedure is similar to the previous one, however, the lamination mixture does not treat the hair. The ends will look good only until the mixture is washed out of the hair. In a few months the procedure will have to be repeated.
3. Liquid silk. This is the name of a special fluid that is designed to treat split ends. It is produced by various companies in jars with dispensers. A few drops should be applied to clean hair and distributed over the entire length at a distance of more than 10 cm from the roots. Liquid silk glues together split ends, makes combing easier and improves the appearance of hair.
4. Moisturizing masks and balms. Many cosmetic companies produce lines of products for dry and brittle hair. It is advisable to give preference to professional balms and masks.
5. Hair sprays. These are liquid products sold in special spray bottles. There are sprays for split ends, brittle hair, as well as vitamin compositions. They can be applied to dry or damp hair and do not require rinsing.

You can also get rid of hair problems using home care products. There are several proven recipes:

1. Oil compress. You can use castor, burdock, almond oil or a mixture of them. The amount depends on the length and thickness of the hair. Add 10 drops of vitamins A and E to the main oil. Apply the resulting mixture to your hair. If the scalp is oily, oil should be applied only from below to 2/3 of the length, if normal or dry - from roots to ends. Wrap hair with film and a towel, rinse after 2 hours.
2. Kefir and yeast. A glass of kefir must be mixed with 10g of yeast and allowed to brew for 15 minutes. Then you can apply the mask to the entire length of your hair or just to the ends. Leave it on your head for at least 1 hour.
3. Coconut oil. It can be applied to the ends a few hours before washing your hair or immediately after washing. The oil will be absorbed into damp hair and the ends will not feel greasy when dry.
4. Burdock. A large burdock leaf should be crushed in a mortar until oil forms. Apply the resulting mixture to your hair before washing your hair and leave for about an hour.
5. Applesauce. Grind the apple, apply the resulting pulp to 2/3 of the length of the hair, wrap it with film and a towel. The mask can be washed off after 2 hours.
6. Honey and vinegar. Pour two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into one and a half liters of water and add a teaspoon of liquid honey. Rinse your hair every time after washing your hair.

We can conclude that split ends may be the result of improper hair care or exposure to adverse environmental factors, as well as evidence pathological conditions body. You can get rid of damaged hair or cure them using salon and home remedies.

Video: how to get rid of split ends and not lose hair length

Split ends are, first of all, hair that is damaged and lacks moisture. Split ends are split at the ends and sometimes along the length of the hair; they are dull and brittle. Split ends look unaesthetic, this is especially noticeable on dark hair. More often, the hair splits at the ends at a distance of 1-2 cm. The hair periodically breaks off, so it seems that split hair"don't grow." In fact, hair grows; it’s just that periodic hair breaking does not allow it to increase in length.

Factors that cause split hair

Hair splits due to frequent perm, especially if you neglect to carry out a course of hair restoration after this procedure.

Split ends can appear as a result of poor quality dyeing or the use of aggressive dyeing products. It is necessary to correctly select the tone of the hair dye and the method of dyeing, so as not to unnecessarily injure the hair. Coloring products with caring complexes help avoid the problem of split ends. If you are going to dye your hair more than two shades lighter, you need to seek the services of a specialist, otherwise the effect of such dyeing can be very disastrous for your hair.

Split ends are caused by frequent styling with hot air, as well as hair styling and fixing products containing alcohol - the hair is actively dehydrated and loses its vitality.

In summer, do not expose your hair to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Can be used special means for hair with sun protection factor. Do not use sharp combs with rough, unpolished ends, and also be careful with metal hairpins and hair decorations - your hair will be severely split due to mechanical injuries.

In windy weather, tie your hair up.

Hair care products

There are special restorative complexes for damaged and split ends. They nourish, moisturize hair, and saturate it with vitamins. A special fluid for hair ends is applied to the ends of the hair after washing and is not washed off - it protects the hair from the drying and traumatic influence of external factors.

Styling products

Special hair styling products with protective components prevent dehydration and brittleness of hair, protect it during styling and exposure to negative environmental factors.

A haircut

Even if you are growing your hair, you still need to trim the ends of your hair. It is better to do this during the waxing moon - then the hair will grow faster. There is a special technique for cutting split ends. To do this, the hair is twisted into thin strands - the damaged split ends come out and the master cuts them with regular or hot scissors.

Haircut with hot scissors

This type of haircut is performed both as a hair treatment and as a prevention of split ends. Hot scissors “seal” the ends of the hair, so the hair does not lose moisture and is capable of self-healing. A haircut with hot scissors can be done over the entire head or on individual damaged strands.

Masks for split ends

You can also use ready-made restorative hair masks and natural masks.

Classic version natural mask- This is a mask made from warm kefir or yogurt. Leave this mask on for 30-40 minutes before washing your hair.

A mask made from burdock or almond oil perfectly restores the structure of damaged hair and improves its growth. The oil is slightly heated and applied to the hair from the roots along the entire length. You can do a light massage. Oil mask leave for at least half an hour (more is possible; there are even desperate fans of hair care who leave the mask on overnight), after which they wash their hair as usual.

Try not to scratch wet hair so as not to stretch or injure them. As a last resort, use a well-polished one with very fine teeth.

Nutrition

Pay attention to nutrition. An excess of sweets and fatty foods in the diet can damage your hair. You need food rich in vitamins and microelements. Try to drink more clean water.

Daily regime

Pay attention to your daily routine. It is advisable to find time for walks in the fresh air - central heating and an abundance of indoor equipment dries out your hair and skin. Ensure yourself a long sleep - it is better to go to bed before ten o'clock in the evening. The body truly rests and recovers in the hours before midnight. Therefore, it is better to go to bed early and get up early than to compensate for the lack of sleep in the morning hours.