Are split ends the bane of your existence? They are ours as well. You wouldn’t think that a tiny break in your hair could affect its overall health and look so much - but it can. So we thought we’d put together a guide on how to prevent split ends.
While you can take to them with a pair of scissors or a split end trimmer - or even burning them off for those more daring - the best way to deal with split ends are to put preventative measures in place. Because unsurprisingly, it’s the way we treat our hair that gives us split ends in the first place.
So have a read of our guide - starting from a good hair wash to incorporating regular hair treatments - and get started on your journey towards softer, silkier and split end-free hair.
We’re also giving away a mini version of the Vitafive CPR Fortify Inca Omega Healing Serum (hint: step 4) when you spend over $99 across the site.
How to prevent split ends in 5 steps
1. Wash your hair with a reparative shampoo and conditioner
We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve talked about how you should really be using a SLS-free shampoo (and conditioner) when washing your hair. While sulfates aren’t as harmful as the internet says, it does strip your hair of its natural oil. That foaming feeling you love so much and associate with ‘clean hair’? Well, that’s a cleaning agent that just rubs your hair dry essentially. Without its natural oils, your hair can become dry, drittle and surprise, surprise: prone to breakage and split ends.
So put that supermarket shampoo down and try a gentle, nasties-free option like Davroe Moisture Senses Hydrating Shampoo. It’s pumped full of moisturising ingredients like grapeseed oil, olive leaf oil and wheat amino acids to nourish the hair shaft from within. Pair it with its matching Hydrating Conditioner counterpart for the perfect frizz-free hair.
Alternatively, if you need a deeper repair, we also love the Nak Structure Complex Shampoo and Structure Complex Conditioner duo. Another SLS-free and vegan option, this particular duo focus on rescuing dry hair that’s been damaged by chemical treatments. It includes plant-based proteins that will repair your hair structure from within and condition your hair so it’s shiny and soft at the end.
Essentially, the key on how to prevent split ends is to keep your hair hydrated.
2. Include a regular hair treatment in your routine
If you don’t already have a hair treatment in your routine, then it’s time to get one! While hair treatment benefits are endless, the key is that they contain active ingredients that actually repair your hair. Some people only use hair treatments once or twice a week but depending on the type, you can incorporate one into your daily hair routine. In the specific case of how to prevent split ends with a hair treatment, you’re looking for something more than just a simple moisturiser.
You’re probably familiar with Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector - it’s probably the world’s most famous hair product after all - but it really does work. Its patented technology actually finds the broken bonds in your hair and cross links them back up. Contrary to popular belief, Olaplex No. 3 can be used across all hair - not just for the bottle blondes!
In another plug for Davroe, they also have a great Protein Hair Reconstructor that repairs the hair from within and keeps your hair healthy by restoring its natural elasticity and shine.
3. Try a split end-specific hair product
Luckily, split ends are a very common problem - you’re not alone! - and a lot of people find them annoying, including major hair brands. So you’ll find that there are quite a few split end-specific hair care products on the market. Most of these split end products act to seal your hair cuticles and add a targeted boost of hydration to your mid-lengths and ends.
We’re loving the Vitafive CPR Fortify Inca Omega Healing Serum, which is kind of a hybrid between a deeper hair treatment and cosmetic split end product. Filled with Omega 3, 6 & 9 as well as Inca Omega Oil, it repairs and seals split ends so it can leave your hair feeling and looking silky smooth. Simply distribute 1-3 pumps through your mid-lengths and ends while your hair is damp then blow dry on medium heat. You can also use it on the ends of your hair when it’s dry and post-styling to seal and smooth.
And we could hardly go past split ends without mentioning one of our all-time faves: De Lorenzo Instant Rejuven8 ‘The Ends’. This little miracle worker contains Bilberry and Blueberry extract as well as Baobab protein, which is one of the most powerful hair repair complexes. A small amount applied to your mid-lengths and ends will help moisturise and seal your hair, and of course, split ends.
4. Give your hair a hot tools break
This step is both the simplest and the hardest: put down the heat appliances. We know that blow dryers are a big part of everyone’s hair routines but (unsurprisingly) applying that much heat to your hair everyday can dehydrate it and result in those annoying split ends. So if you’re asking us or Google about how to prevent split ends, then give your hair a break from those super hot hair straighteners and maybe let it air dry once in a while.
5. Use a protective styling product
So if you really can’t give up the hot tools then please at least use a protection spray. These are pre-styling products that have been designed to give your hair that final boost of hydration before you fry your hair. We absolutely love the Evo Icon Welder which protect not only from hair appliance heat damage but also from those super harmful UV rays. It also smoothes, detangles and improves styling with medium hold and volume as well. What more can you ask for? Simply spray evenly through your hair before heat styling.
We know they’re annoying but unfortunately split ends are just a part of life but if you keep your hair moisturised and give it a bit of a break from heat styling once in a while, you might be able to avoid it. So there you have it, a super simple 5-step routine on how to prevent split ends.
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