WHAT ARE SPLIT ENDS
Each strand of hair has two to three layers, with the cells of the outermost layer—called the cuticle—layered over one another like shingles on a roof to protect the inner layers, which are made of keratin, the same protein that's in our fingernails. Only thick hair has the innermost layer, called the medulla, but every strand has a layer called the cortex. Split ends are what happen when the cells of the cuticle wear away and the coils of keratin in the cortex come apart. A split end looks exactly how it sounds: like a single strand of hair that splits in two at the end. However, it is also possible for the split to occur farther up the hair shaft.
CAUSES
Split ends are often caused by hair styling products, like blow dryers, curling irons, straightening irons, and even hair dyes. Vigorous brushing of your hair can also damage it, causing it to split. In other words, all of those things you’re doing to make your hair look good are actually causing you to get split ends.
PREVENTION
- Protect your hair from breaking
- Protect your hair's natural moisture
- Protect your hair from heat.
- Protect your hair from chemicals.
- Protect your hair from the sun
REMEDIES
If you are tired of dealing with split ends before reaching for the scissors, try these terrific home remedies to hydrate and rejuvenate your hair.
HONEY AND OIL TREATMENT
- Mix a tablespoon of honey with 1/4 cup of olive oil.
- Beat two egg yolks into the honey and oil.
- Saturate your hair with the mixture from root to tips, paying special attention to the ends.
- Put your hair up into a shower cap for 45 minutes.
- Rinse with water as cold as you can stand.
- Shampoo with a moisturizing shampoo and style as usual.
OLIVE OIL AND HOT WATER TREATMENT
Take half cup olive oil and half cup boiling water. Pour olive oil and boiling water into large jar with a lid. Wrap a towel around the bottle to avoid burning your hands. Shake well till the oil is emulsified. Massage it into hair and take care not to burn your head. Put a shower cap on your head and wrap it in a hot towel soaked in hot water and wrung out. Leave the mixture on your hair for about half hour and then shampoo it as usual.
ORANGE BANANA TREATMENT
- Beat two eggs, 2 ounces of orange juice and 1/2 of a banana together.
- Apply to hair from root to tips, combing through.
- Wrap head in plastic wrap or shower cap.
- Allow to penetrate for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water and shampoo as usual.
- This will restore hair's luster and shine.
FINAL TREATMENT
if the damage is widespread then cutting is the only way out. Most stylists recommend getting a trim every six to eight weeks to maintain healthy-looking hair, but if your budget can't support such frequent trips to the salon, you can trim split ends one by one at home. Make sure you cut at least a quarter-inch above the split to avoid having it reappear, and use sharp hair shears; cutting with dull scissors can damage the end of the hair and cause another split.
a few products are available in the market for split ends. but they should be used after proper expert advice only!
