|
|
|
Split Ends
by Dwayne Pressley |
|
|
|
Split ends (which are properly
termed trichoptilosis--which means the splitting of hair fibre)
occur when the protective portion of the hair (called the cuticle)
becomes damaged. Although split ends may occur anywhere on the hair
shaft, they mostly appear on the ends of the hair. |
|
|
|
No matter what some hair care
products may tell you, it is impossible to repair split ends. You
may however purchase products that will "seal" the split ends, but
trust me...this will only be a short term solution. So, no matter
what these hair care products promise they can do for you, they CAN
NOT repair split ends. The only way to fix the problem is to cut the
split ends off. If you choose to ignore your split ends, they will
get worse. The hair will continue to split up the shaft (sometimes
all the way up until it reaches the roots) until it breaks off.
|
|
|
|
Causes |
|
|
|
Over processing the hair with
chemicals, or brushing the hair too harshly can cause split ends.
Combing the hair with uneven teeth in combs, or uneven bristles in
brushes will cause damage as well. If at all possible avoid using
nylon bristles and cut back on heat directly applied to the
hair...like blowdryers, flat irons, curling irons, and hot curlers. |
|
|
|
How the Damage
Takes Place |
|
|
|
Step by step how split ends occur. |
|
|
First the hair is weakened.
Next, the cuticle begins to break down.
Then the cuticle disappears, layer by layer. This leads to the
exposure of the cortex (the next layer).
Soon, split ends appear.
Finally the hair breaks. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prevention |
|
|
|
One of the easiest ways to damage
the hair is to comb it or treat it harshly, while it is wet. While
hair is wet it is in it's most fragile state. So after washing and
conditioning the hair, in order to prevent split ends, gently comb out
tangles with a wide tooth comb. If your hair is difficult to comb
thru, use a leave in conditioner, and comb the hair from the ends to
the root with either a wide tooth comb or your fingers. |
|
|
|
If you treat your hair like it is
fragile, by not brushing, scrubbing, or combing too harshly, deep
condition your hair (as often as needed) and frequently trimming your
ends, then you should have minimum to no split ends. |
|
|
|
|
|
About the
Author |
|
|
|
Dwayne Pressley is an
online hair consultant and the author of the well received ebook "What
Your Hairstylist Doesn't Want You To Know". You can obtain a copy the
ebook online at
http://www.askdwayne.com or reach him at
dwayne@askdwayne.com |
|
|
|
|
