Split Ends: Causes and How to Fix Them.

Split ends are what happens when the hair’s outer layer (the cuticle) starts to break down or wear out due to chemical processing or mechanical stress, like aggressive brushing. With split ends you tend to have more hair damage and hair breakage.

How split ends form

Fiber aging is more visible at the ends than at the roots, as these have been subjected to more aggressions day after day throughout the hair's life. They are often more sensitized and thinner with less body that can lead to split ends and breakage.

Due to the compromised outer layer, the hair’s inner fibers can fray and split, leading to this structural breakdown we know as split ends.

Signs of split ends

Some key signs that you have split ends include: frayed, feathered tips; rough texture at the ends; breakage at tips and mid-lengths; loss of shine; and uneven texture that is easily snags.

There are quite a few possible causes for split ends, and we’ll review the most common ones here.

Heat damage

Excessive heat styling (whether with blow dryers, curling irons or straighteners) can weaken the hair and lead to dryness and breakage.

Chemical treatments

Coloring, dyeing, bleaching – these treatments can change the structure of the hair, making it more prone to splitting.

Mechanical stress

Overbrushing or mis-brushing (like using the wrong brush or brushing wet hair), or even rough towel drying, can cause physical damage, causing the hairs to split.

Lack of moisture

A lack of hydration can also cause split ends: dry hair is more prone to splitting.

Wondering how to repair your split ends? Well, the only true solution is trimming off the split ends. That said, once you trim the ends, you can practice proper care to prevent split ends from returning.

What trimming really does

Trimming your ends gets rid of the visible problem…at least in the short term. But trimming does not prevent split ends from reappearing. You’ll need to consider tweaks to your haircare routine, from more gentle brushing and using the right treatments, whether that’s to protect your hair from heat styling or to seal ends.

Can products seal ends?

Certain treatments can seal split ends, but getting regular trims is really the only way to remove damaged ends. Products formulated for fiber filler replump and bond repair can function to defend against split ends.

To prevent split ends, you want to protect your hair fibers, inside and out. The two keys? Establishing a hydration routine and a heat protection protocol.

Hydration routine

Ensuring that your hair is hydrated is absolutely essential in the journey to prevent split ends.
For long hair, the L’Oréal Professionnel Pro Longer Mask is specifically formulated with an exclusive combination of FILLER-A100 and Amino Acids to renew lengths and fill-in ends, providing 31% less split ends*.

* Instrumental test Pro Longer Lengths Renewing Shampoo + Lengths Renewing Mask.

For serious damage and hair prone to breakage, the L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Mask is the pro-vetted choice for extreme hair rescue, providing 100 hours of deep hydration and 97% less breakage. You get stronger, smoother hair that is more resistant to damage.

Heat protection

Another essential is protecting your hair for heat styling. Look for heat protectants – these can be serums or oils such as the Absolut Repair Molecular Bi-phase Oil or the Metal Detox Protecting Concentrated Oil, protecting your hair from the heat. Also make sure to temper the temperature of your heat styling tools.

When it comes to preventing split ends and protecting hair health, hydration and heat protection are key. Consider serums, leave-in conditioners and heat protectants designed to hydrate and protect. Take the Metal Detox range from L'Oréal Professionnel for example – formulated specifically to nourish the hair and prevent hair breakage, making it ally in your fight to prevent split ends.