what are SPLIT ENDS? everything you need to know to REPAIR and PREVENT split ends

SPLIT ENDS got you down? you're not alone. the average person spends a year and a half of their life styling their hair. seeing as heat styling your hair, is one of the leading causes for damaged hair, it is no surprise that your hair has split ends. 

luckily, there are dozens of ways you can prevent split ends. and we're going to teach you ALL of them.

 

what is a SPLIT END?


let's start with a definition: a SPLIT END is a condition of the hair called trichoptilosis. 'tricho' is greek for hair, where 'ptilosis' is derived from the new latin language for 'arrangement of feathers in particular areas.'  this condition occurs when your hair has splitting and fraying of the hair-shaft due to thermal, chemical, and mechanical damage. 

like your nails, your hair has cuticles. you want to think of these cuticles like shingles on a roof. when the shingles aren’t properly laying down, it does not provide the protection and barrier that your home needs. likewise, when the hair cuticle is fraying and splitting, your hair is more prone to breakage, dryness, and dullness.

in other words, your hair gets stressed out too.

with a healthy cuticle in place that have no split ends, your hair will be able to retain more moisture and strength leaving it shinier, softer, and stronger. 

 

split ends CAUSES

nearly every cause for split ends fits under three categories.

1.THERMAL.

heat is the #1 cause of hair damage. from the blow dryer to the flat iron, this damage occurs when extreme heat temperatures are used on the hair. imagine putting a 400 degree iron against your skin. you would 100% burn the skin, and that is exactly what is happening to your hair. 

that isn’t just reserved for your styling tools. it also applies to the sun. 

use HEAT PROTECTANT every time you style

as we mentioned, thermal damage is the #1 cause of split ends and damage. 

using a heat PROTECTANT like ‘protect’ creates a barrier in between your hair and the heat of your styling tools. so instead of burning your hair, the product takes the heat. the essential oil aromatherapy blend (ylang ylang, patchouli, clove, rosewood, and sweet orange) in ‘protect’ also act as a conditioning agent and moisturizer. this style primer will set up your look and reduce your blow dry time. the best part yet, is that it is also an ANTI-STATIC SPRAY for hair and a great hair deodorizer.

 

2. CHEMICAL 

chemical damage occurs from coloring, perms, and other restructuring processes. you OPEN the cuticles to color it, perm it, relax it, etc. after you finish, you CLOSE the cuticle down again. the more you open and close the cuticle, the more damage to it you can expect to have. though you can reduce chemical damage with proper applications, it’s impossible to avoid all damage during chemical treatments.

use a hair oil that STRENGTHENS hair

no matter who you are, your hair needs moisture and repair. whether you style every morning or throw it back in a bun and go: both cause damage. 

replenish’ infuses hair with MOISTURE and essential vitamins and minerals for restoring strength in the hair. this STRENGTH restoration oil is packed with avocado oil, argan oil, vitamin e, and essential oils. it will give your hair the 3 S's - strength, shine, and softness. also, this is a clear hair oil that will not stain the hair. 

3. MECHANICAL.

this damage is caused from how you physically handle your hair. if you rip your brush through tangles or wrap your pony tails extra tight, mechanical damage will appear in your hair.  

be GENTLE when you style

mechanical damage is the EASIEST damage to incur and to prevent. remember to be gentle with your hair.  

  • start at the BOTTOM when detangling
  • use traceless hair ties to prevent ponytail damage
  • be MINDFUL of hot temperatures
  • go easy on chemical treatments

you’d be surprised how much damage can be prevented by a GENTLE styling hand.

 

how to IDENTIFY split ends

luckily, you can see split ends with the naked eye. if you can FEEL and SEE that your hair is tangled, damaged, and dry- chances are you have SPLIT ENDS. you’ll also see what looks like little white beads in the hair, this indicates where the hair is going to break off or has broken off.

TYPES of split ends

though all split ends are created by similar forms of stress and damage, they are different types of split ends that indicate different stages of damage. 

types of split ends infographic

the TRADITIONAL split

all split ends start here. this early sign of development lets you know bigger problems are on the way. get your hair trimmed ASAP!

the DEEP split

most common in hair that has been chemically treated. this is evident by the damage appearing in certain spots of the hair follicle. 

the TAPERED split

the end of the hair is severely damaged, leaving the cortex of the hair exposed. do not chemically treat hair that is showing tapered splits. 

the FEATHER split

when deep splits are neglected, they evolve into feathered splits. this type of damage typically occurs in hair that has been through it all- heat, chemical treatments, and day-to-day damage. 

the INCOMPLETE split

if you’re seeing incomplete splits, your hair has seen a rough time. hair is fragile. ripping it through it with a brush will damage your hair. get these trimmed as soon as possible and go easy with your hair!

the KNOT split

we see this type of split a lot with CURLY hair. though not exclusive to the texture, this split happens from the hair knotting and weakening the cuticles.

understanding what type of split ends you have can help with your prevention methods. but in order to PREVENT SPLIT ENDS, you have to know what causes them.

 

split end TREATMENTS 

DIY SPLIT END TREATMENTS can be risky when you aren’t a professional, but natural products and a little knowledge are an at-home solution for preventing split ends.  

 

protect the hair, restore the strength, SEAL split ends

give yourself the right tools to have healthy hair. 'the split end trio' will prevent damage, strengthen hair and seal those split ends shut. this kit includes 'protect' hot tool heat shield, 'replenish' strength restoration oil, and 'smooth' split end mender and smoothing serum. everything your hair to start looking and feeling HEALTHIER right away. 

use an END SEALING SERUM

all three causes of split ends boil down to the protective layer on your hair being broken down over time. using a WEIGHTLESS SPLIT END MENDER like ‘smooth’ to seal your ends and prevent splits from spreading.

this hair smoothing serum is ESSENTIAL to preventing further damage while you wait for your appointment. the silk proteins provide gentle repair to the hair. while xanthum gum acts as a sealant and flyaway tamer. it will also soothe irritation, moisturize and condition using wild cherry bark extract.


get a HAIRCUT


no matter how much you try to avoid damaging your hair, you can't escape the inevitable. 

REGULAR HAIRCUTS are a must. instead of butchering your hair trying to snip your split ends, visit a stylist and get a trim. for best results, get a hair every 4-6 weeks. 

 

 

how our products help split end PREVENTION

NATURAL HAIR CARE is an important part of your self care regimen. at nvenn, we truly believe that HEALTHY HAIR is a combination of natural hair care products, proper nutrition, and prevention methods. 

we use ORGANIC SEA KELP EXTRACT and PURE ANTIOXIDANT ESSENTIAL OILS to craft our products. high in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids (building blocks of hair) to lock in moisture and nourish your hair leaving it healthy, soft, and shiny. we never use harmful chemicals, additives, or perfumes. nvenn is formulated using the highest quality INGREDIENTS to best serve your hair and 100% CRUELTY FREE.

but even if you don’t use our products, we can’t stress enough the importance of NATURAL HAIR CARE PRODUCTS.

have a question? reach out to us directly on facebook, instagram, or youtube. we’re HAPPY TO HELP anyone, no matter where you’re at in your hair journey.