If you have long hair, you probably also have split ends. The ends of your hair split, giving it a dull, damaged appearance that we could do without. What causes split ends? How can you prevent and eliminate them? Discover LAO Care's tips for restoring softness and shine to your hair.
Before starting this article, don't hesitate to take the LAO diagnosis for healthy hair and avoiding dry hair ! You'll have access to a hair assessment and comprehensive recommendations on products to adopt, lifestyle habits, and diet.
What are split ends?
Seen under a microscope, human hair is composed of more or less tightly packed scales , which form its outer layer, in direct contact with the environment: the cuticle. This is composed of 95% keratin, a naturally present protein that protects the hair from external aggressions (extreme temperatures, UV rays, friction, etc.).
Over time and with stress, the keratin level diminishes and its sheathing effect fades, promoting the opening of the scales. The "open" hair dries out, becoming coarser and more fragile. When the tip is very damaged, it splits in two ... creating a split end visible to the naked eye.
The finer the hair, the more prone it is to split ends, as it naturally contains less keratin.
What are the main causes of split ends?
Split ends always appear when the hair is damaged , which is often multifactorial... and comes both from a lack of protective anti-split ends hair care , but also from repeated and varied attacks that we will help you identify.
Repeated friction
Friction is largely responsible for thinning ends and lengths, and the appearance of split ends. On a daily basis, long hair constantly rubs against your shoulders and back, which damages them. Even worse: your hairbrush is largely responsible for the appearance of split ends ! By brushing or combing your lengths violently, you will permanently damage your hair.
Hairstyles
The same phenomenon occurs with hairstyles that are too tight , where the friction of the elastic can break the hair cuticle. The use of thermal appliances (hair dryers, curling irons and straighteners) on a daily basis is terrible for the hair fiber, because the extreme heat breaks the bridges inside the keratin and weakens it from the inside, weakening the lengths and creating split ends in the short and medium term.
Some hair products
Some hair products can damage the fiber and promote the appearance of split ends. The most obvious are petrochemical dyes and bleaches , which attack the hair fiber to open it and dye or bleach it. If you want to avoid split ends in the long term, try to space out these interventions as much as possible!
Your shampoo can also weaken the entire length of your hair and indirectly thin your ends by leaving them too exposed. A shampoo that is too harsh will not only weaken your scalp, which will produce dry hair that is more prone to breakage and split ends, but will also remove the protective elements from the length and weaken it . To easily identify the harsh cleansing agents in your shampoo, identify Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate, which is the most common.
The external environment, another source of split ends
External aggressions affect the quality of your hair and promote the appearance of split ends. Changes in season and temperature weaken hair... and coupled with oxidation caused by UV rays and pollution , they make a terrible cocktail for hair lengths on a daily basis. Fine particles from polluted air in particular settle on the hair and reduce the quality of the hydrolipidic film that is supposed to protect it.
Protecting hair from pollution is one of LAO's innovation missions; the brand has in fact filed its first patent on the use of hemp protein for its protective properties. Both LAO cleansing treatments protect the hair fiber from UV rays and pollution day after day, which helps protect the ends.
Just as friction on clothing damages the fiber, wind tangles hair, creates knots and promotes split ends.
Notice to seasoned or summer athletes: swimming
It's important to know that some sports, such as swimming, expose you to elements that are harmful to your hair's health and can cause split ends. Chlorine , in particular, dries out the entire length of your hair considerably, promoting the appearance of split ends. Just by judging by the tightness of your skin after an hour spent in the pool, your hair suffers the same consequences and risks developing split ends.
In summer, it is the salt in sea water that damages hair because of the sodium crystals that are deposited on the fiber; remember to rinse your hair well with clean water after swimming to avoid split ends!
Repairing split ends: is it possible?
We can't stress this enough at LAO Care: the biological mechanisms of hair are not at all the same as those of the skin . This means that we cannot, strictly speaking, moisturize it. It won't regenerate on its own... and repairing damaged hair is almost impossible.
While hair isn't alive , it's not completely dead either! It's biochemically active ; which means we can improve its appearance, but not with the same mixtures and in the same way as skin. To better understand dry hair , check out our article on the subject!
Split ends are the highest level of hair breakage. The length is so damaged that it splits into two parts and is very visible to the naked eye . Without being pessimistic, no hair product, neither synthetic nor natural, can permanently rebuild split hairs.
To eliminate split ends, you don't need to cut everything off , but you will need to get rid of 2 to 3 cm of ends, then absolutely change your habits or incorporate new rituals to protect your hair.
Trimming your ends will immediately improve your overall appearance. And to avoid having to cut more than necessary and have stronger, thicker, and more radiant hair, you've come to the right place!
Prevent split ends
Since split ends cannot be repaired , you will need to adopt new habits after cutting them. The recipe for healthy hair is simple: combine two elements: a healthy scalp and hair that is protected every day!
For a complete personalized assessment accessible in one click , take the LAO diagnosis ! You will find clear information on your hair situation and advice in terms of lifestyle, diet and products.
Identify sources of friction
Reducing friction-related damage should become an obsession ! Identify everything that's tangling your hair, and gradually adapt your habits.
For example, your hair rubs against your pillowcase all night long; if possible, choose a silk pillowcase, which is much softer and more protective, and tie your hair in a loose braid. When you wake up, your hair will be detangled and with slight waves!
When brushing, choose a wooden or bamboo comb, which is better suited to the hair fiber, and detangle your hair starting at the ends and then gradually working your way up, strand by strand. Not only will detangling be much easier, but your hair will also be much less likely to split.
Never brush your hair when it's wet without conditioner or a detangling conditioner! Hair is more fragile when wet, and more prone to breakage.
Bye to excessive heat
It's a well-known fact that heat damages hair, especially the ends. The longer your hair, the more it's lived, since it only grows from the roots. The ends are therefore the oldest parts of your hair and are inexorably damaged day after day.
By regularly using hair dryers with hot air, straighteners, curling irons, irons, in short heating appliances, you will destroy the keratin in your hair which will become thin, dry and split.
To curl your hair without heat, you can use a silk or satin curling rod . At night before going to sleep, place the rod on your head and then wrap it around your hair strand by strand towards the back of your head. Make sure it's tight enough so it doesn't move, but not so tight that it gives you a headache!
For the locks surrounding your face, you can use a curler, especially if you have layered hair. Get beautiful waves like a Californian star!
Summer: don't forget your hair
It's no secret that hair tends to deteriorate during the summer , and we often find ourselves having to apply treatments at the start of the school year to try to repair the damage. Next summer, plan ahead!
Your hair will likely be exposed to salt, sun, and chlorine. The first step is to systematically rinse your hair after getting out of the sea or the pool to remove excess salt, which crystallizes in the hair and damages it, and chlorine, which dries it out.
For the sun, you can use protective mists, but make sure the brand selling them has conducted effectiveness tests beforehand! LAO reminds us that vegetable oils do not protect hair from the sun, just as they do not protect skin from UV rays.
On the other hand, LAO shampoos are patented, as they have been proven through tests with an independent laboratory to protect hair from oxidative damage linked to UV rays and pollution. After exposure, and even after a single rinse-off shampoo, we observe that +50% of the hair fiber is perfectly protected ! In the long term, your hair will be stronger.
Diet: The Key to Healthy Hair
A balanced diet is essential for good hair quality and preventing split ends. Certain vitamins, trace elements, and ingredients have long been recognized for their beneficial effects on hair growth and fiber quality.
Get enough B vitamins, especially biotin (B8). It's found in egg yolks, mushrooms, beans, lentils, whole-grain bread, almonds, and walnuts.
Brewer's yeast is also known for its benefits for hair, but be careful because it can cause swelling and bloating due to a fermentation process. You can replace it with wheat germ, which contains several B vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9.
Choosing the right hair care to avoid split ends
No product will completely repair split ends. At best, they'll temporarily glue them back together, but without ever allowing the hair to regain its original appearance! Hair fibers can be repaired using complex synthetic processes, but this doesn't always last. LAO is working on developing a range of natural, deep-treatment products with proven effectiveness. Patience!
Choosing the right shampoo is essential for maintaining a healthy scalp , which will make your hair strong and help prevent split ends. Choose a gentle, natural shampoo that contains sugar-derived cleansing agents such as Decyl Glucoside, Capryl Glucoside, or Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate.
For dry hair , but especially if your hair is thick, LAO Nourishing Shampoo will work wonders. It is made from 100% natural ingredients, including hemp seed oil, which will coat the hair, and lemon balm hydrosol, which is soothing for the scalp.
The results are in: 83% of testers say it nourishes hair and 81% say it makes hair softer* ! It's the best combo of UV/pollution protection and immediate hair softness, with real scalp care.
For fine hair with a tendency to be oily , using a shampoo as rich in oil as Nourishing may leave it feeling a little heavy the day after washing.
Choose an oil- and silicone-free shampoo like the Purifying Shampoo . This contains a high concentration of sebum-regulating nettle hydrosol, which contributes to a healthy scalp.
Once again, the effectiveness of LAO's best-seller is proven : 95% of testers say it purifies the scalp and 74% say it makes hair softer!**
If you have oily roots but dry ends , you can alternate the two shampoos to get the best from each!
If you have fine to normal hair and struggle with tangles on a daily basis, we recommend applying our Conditioner to the ends after your usual shampoos. Its creamy yet light formula gently detangles hair, but above all leaves it light and soft from the first application.
Natural homemade hair care to prevent split ends
Apply vegetable oils to your ends once or twice a week , as this will help coat the hair scales and form a protective barrier . The choice of oil will depend on the thickness of your hair.
Thick hair will appreciate rich oils and butters like coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil, which are well known for promoting hair growth.
Fine hair will appreciate light oils like hazelnut, olive, broccoli, or jojoba oil (which also works wonders on skin!). Just a few drops will be enough to protect your hair from friction and add shine.
You can also apply treatments and oils to your scalp once a week , which will promote hair growth. This way, you will feel less guilty when you go to trim your ends regularly at home or at the hairdresser!
Coloring and bleaching
If you have split ends, they may have been mistreated for some time. To bleach, or depigment, hair, we apply very harsh products to the fiber, which weakens it. Similarly, to color hair, we apply a product with a basic pH that will significantly open the cuticles to remove the melanin.
After handling the hair, we apply treatments that will close the cuticles and give an immediate wow effect! In the long term, however, coloring and bleaching weaken the hair structure.
Hairdressers are trained and familiar with hair care issues , especially highlighted and bleached hair. They develop blended balayage techniques that limit salon visits and bleaching, giving a very natural effect and avoiding harsh products! Talk to your hair colorist and explain how much you are willing to care for your hair.
In conclusion...
Patience, kindness... and protection! It's the best cocktail to avoid split ends and have healthy hair in the long term. With hair, you don't get anything for nothing! Pamper it, protect it daily, adopt a good natural routine , and you will see a rapid and spectacular improvement in your hair.
Sources
Vidal. Phytotherapy: Wheat Germ. [Online]. Available at https://www.vidal.fr/parapharmacie/phytotherapie-plantes/germe-ble-triticum-vulgaris.html
FAQ - Your questions in 1 minute
What causes split ends?
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Split ends can be caused by various factors such as excessive use of irritating hair products, frequent coloring, exposure to pollution, and improper care. An unbalanced diet can also play a role.
How to prevent split ends?
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To prevent split ends, it is recommended to use gentle products such as LAO Nourishing Shampoo , avoid harsh chemical treatments, protect hair from pollution and follow a balanced diet.
Is keratin beneficial for split ends?
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Yes, keratin is an essential protein that strengthens hair structure. Keratin treatments can help repair and protect split ends.
What are the benefits of hemp protein for hair?
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Hemp protein, a key element of the first patent filed by LAO, offers numerous benefits for hair, notably by protecting the hair fiber from oxidation linked to UV rays and pollution.
How do I choose the right product for my hair?
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LAO offers a personalized diagnosis to provide comprehensive advice on products, lifestyle and nutrition adapted to the nature of your hair.
Are LAO products suitable for colored hair?
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Yes, LAO products are formulated to be gentle and nourishing without sulfates, making them suitable for color-treated hair.
How does pollution affect my hair?
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Pollution can deposit particles on hair, making it dull, dry, and prone to breakage. It's essential to protect hair from pollution and cleanse it regularly with gentle products.
*Self-assessment on 53 subjects with dry or curly hair, including 29 subjects with dandruff (women and men aged 26-39), for 28 days.
* *Self-assessment on 57 subjects with oily scalps, including 42 subjects with dandruff (women and men aged 25-40), for 28 days.
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