How to Remove and Prevent Split Ends

Co-authored by Arthur Sebastian

Last Updated: December 26, 2023 Approved

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Split ends aren't fun, and they always seem to reappear not too long after you get rid of them. Fortunately, there are things you can do to get rid of split ends and protect your hair so they don't come back.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Removing Split Ends

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1
Check for damaged hair. You don’t actually need to locate split ends to tell if your hair is damaged. It will feel dry and tangled if it is. However, if you want to find the split ends, closely examine your hair with the help of a mirror and good lighting. Split ends occur most often at the tip but can show up anywhere in your hair. Split ends and related damage can occur in several different forms. If you find any of the following, you may want to remove them:^{[1]
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- Hair tips splitting into two or more strands
- White dots at the end of your hair
- Single strand knots (more common in dry, curly hair)
2
Trim them yourself. If you're not due for a full haircut, you can take care of the split ends yourself. Trim them off using a small pair of hair shears, since scissors can fray your hair and lead to more split ends. Cut single strands about 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) above the split. If you cut too close to the damage, the split may reappear.^{[2]
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- Some splits form a small ball directly above the damage. Make sure to cut above this.
- Keep in mind that only trimming the split ends may change or ruin the look of your haircut. For best results, see a hair stylist to get your hair trimmed.
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3
Cut your hair regularly. A hairdresser can always trim off split ends, but will usually remove about ¹⁄₄ to 1 inch (0.6 to 2.5 cm) of your hair along with them. Eventually, all hair will wear out enough to require this treatment. How long you wait between haircuts depends on your hair type, hair health, and how much time you're willing to spend hunting down your own split ends. This can be anywhere from 4 weeks to 3 months.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}
- If you aren't trimming split ends yourself, avoiding the hairdresser will not save your long hair. Neglected split ends will become weaker and weaker, eventually breaking off.
If trimming off split ends are affecting your hair length goals, consider having your hair cut into layers. Ask the hairdresser to trim damaged hair in the surface layer, while leaving lower layers — and length intact. If you have afro-textured hair, a mild texturizer can achieve a similar effect, allowing you to manipulate your hair more easily and avoid trimming healthy hair.
There are conditioners and other commercial treatments that claim to "heal" split ends. These seal the split ends shut to hide them from view, but the damage is still there. You can use these as a temporary fix, but relying on them long-term may dry out your hair and lead to worse damage.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Washing, Drying, and Brushing for Healthy Hair

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1
Apply shampoo carefully. Too much shampoo can strip away healthy oils, leaving your hair vulnerable to damage. Follow these tips to find a regimen that minimizes split ends:^{[5]
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- Wash your hair no more than 3 times per week (or less often if you have thick curls or afro-textured hair.)
- Wash only your scalp and the hair nearest to it. Leave the rest of your hair down. It should receive enough washing from the shampoo that runs down on its own.
- Hot water strips away protective oils, so rinse your hair with the coolest water you can stand.
After shampooing, rinse your hair and squeeze it out to remove most of the water. Then, apply conditioner along the length of your hair, but make sure to focus on the ends. Let it soak at least 3 minutes before you rinse it out.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}
3
Dry hair gently. Vigorously rubbing your hair dry with a towel may cause damage to your hair. Instead, gently squeeze dripping wet hair with a microfiber towel to remove excess water. Once the excess water is removed, let your hair air dry naturally.
- If you need to speed up the drying, use a blow dryer on a medium or low setting, preferably set to blow cool air. Hold it a few inches (several centimeters) away from your hair to minimize damage.
- If you normally wrap your hair in a towel, try a cotton T-shirt instead.
4
Deep condition regularly. If your conditioner regimen isn't working, try a "deep condition" once or twice a month. Skip the fancy deep conditioning products, though. The best product to use for deep conditioning is coconut oil, which has the right chemical structure to sink deep into your hair. To deep condition:^{[7]
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- Get your hair just wet enough so it is damp.
- Place a dollop of coconut oil on your palm. If it's in a solid state, gently rub it between your palms until it becomes liquid.
- Rub it through your hair.
- Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes for very damaged hair.
- Rinse out with cold water.
Your brush or comb should aid you in untangling your hair, not pulling it out. The best option for people with thick hair is a wide-toothed, wooden comb or pick. People with thin hair may use a narrow-toothed, wooden comb or a brush with boar bristles or another flexible, natural bristle.
6
Brush or comb gently. Start at the bottom and work your way up. When you encounter a tangle, stop and untangle it with your fingers before you continue brushing.
- Stop teasing or backcombing your hair. This pulls up the scales of your hair, making it easy to break them off.
- Do not brush more than necessary. Once the brush or comb runs through your hair without obstruction, you're done.
- Hair is very fragile when wet. Brush it only when dry, unless you have curly hair, which should only be brushed when it is wet.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Protecting Your Hair

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Sleep with your hair in a braid or bun to help prevent tangles and breakage. A sleep cap or a satin pillowcase may help as well.
2
Eat a balanced diet. Make sure to eat the recommended amounts of vitamins and protein to ensure that your body produces the healthiest hair possible. Healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids can also help keep your hair whole and shiny.^{[8]
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- Vitamin E is particularly useful. Vitamin E can be found in many foods, such as nuts, seeds, avocado, vegetable oils, some leafy greens, and some fish.
3
Oil your hair for protection. Use a nutrient-rich oil such as almond oil, argan oil, egg oil, castor oil, or extra-virgin olive oil. This can lubricate the hair shaft, preventing it from splitting. Oil up to twice a week, leave it on overnight under a cap, and it wash off in the morning.^{[9]
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- Avoid products that contain paraffin or kerosene, which cause drying.
- Apply oil to the middle and ends of your hair. Applying oil near the scalp can cause a buildup of dandruff or damage the roots.
4
Use hair-friendly accessories. Tight, elastic bands or any bands with metal parts can damage hair, especially if left in for a long time. Scrunchies and ribbons treat your hair more gently.
- If you do need to use an elastic or rubber band, make sure it's not too tight so it doesn't cause breakage.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Arthur Sebastian
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}
5
Apply a hair mask. A hair mask once every 1 or 2 weeks can help keep your hair healthy, moisturized, and damage-free. Leave it on for thirty minutes, everywhere except near your scalp.^{[11]
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- Try mixing your own out of olive oil, honey, and conditioner.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Avoiding Damage

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1
Protect your hair from heat. Heat denatures the keratins (proteins) of the hair shaft weakening it and making it prone to split ends. Heat treatments are a major cause of damage and split ends. This includes hot blow drying, heat styling, straightening and curling through heat, and steam treatments.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.} If you do use these treatments, take these precautions:^{[13]
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- Do not straighten or use other high-heat treatments more often than once every two weeks, or preferably once a month.
- Look for irons or other tools that allow for exact temperature control. Keep them set to below 356ºF (180ºC).
- Let hair stylists know that you prefer low-heat treatments.
Consider applying a special pre-swimming moisturizer product. Alternatively, use a leave-in conditioner, oil your hair, and/or wear a swim cap. Rinsing your hair thoroughly before swimming may reduce its absorption of harmful chemicals. Be sure to rinse and shampoo your hair as soon as possible after swimming.
Ultraviolet rays can be as damaging to your hair as your skin. Wear your hair in a bun underneath a hat, or use leave-in sunscreen conditioner
4
Reduce reliance on dye, perms, and bleach. Hair dyes, perms, and bleach are particularly damaging, but any product can damage your hair. Try to limit how often you get your hair colored, permed, and bleached. Instead, opt for occasional touch ups to dye and bleach, such as once every 6 to 8 weeks.
- For example, if you have dyed or bleached hair, get root touch ups only as needed. Do not re-dye all of your hair every time the roots grow out.
- If you have a perm, only get it touched up when it is absolutely necessary, or consider not getting it permed again at all if your hair is damaged.

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Question

Why do I have a lot of split ends?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can get split ends from brushing hair roughly, overusing heat styling tools, or from chemical services. Fine hair may be more prone to split ends.

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Question

Can you repair your split ends?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately not. Split ends can be temporarily sealed but not repaired. The best thing to do with split ends is to cut them off before they spread.

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What happens if you do not cut your split ends?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If you don't cut split ends they could continue to split up the hair shaft. The longer you wait, the higher the damage can spread.

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Tips

Don't pull apart your split ends. It'll only make them worse.

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Don't wash your hair every day because it drys out your scalp and removes all the natural oils that are in your hair.

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Some people lighten their hair with honey. This only has a small effect, but it's much less damaging than a commercial hair dye.

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