How to Treat and Prevent Split Ends

Split ends are inevitable. Whether your hair type is long or short, straight, wavy, or curly, they don’t discriminate, and they’re pretty much an issue that we all have to deal with. Because they often occur as a result of some sort of damage to your hair, the only way to actually get rid of them is to get a trim, though making a trip to the hair salon isn’t always an option.

If you want to extend the amount of time you go between appointments, the best course of action is to prevent split ends before they get a chance to begin wreaking havoc on your hair in the first place. Ahead, we rounded up some information on what causes split ends, and how you can prevent them from happening in the future. Keep scrolling to learn more.

What Causes Split Ends, and How Can I Prevent Them?

1. Washing your hair too often: You can afford to skip a wash every once in a while. If you’re doing the rinse-and-repeat shampoo method or washing every single day, the attentive care might be too much for your hair to handle. Stripping your scalp of its natural oils can dry out your hair and make it prone to breakage and split ends. If you’ve been experiencing a lot of split ends, try washing your hair once less per week.

2. Too much brushing: If you take to a brush more than once a day, you’re probably overdoing it. Aggressive brushing and struggling to take out knots is also bad for your hair. And if it feels like you’re breaking your hair while you brush, you probably are. Try using a wide-tooth comb to detangle while your hair is still wet, which is much more gentle. When brushing, start at the bottom and work your way up.

3. Towel-drying your hair: Once you step out of the shower, a good rubdown with a cozy towel is common procedure. But if you’re rubbing your hair too much with a towel, you could be aggravating split ends. Lighten up and pat your hair dry with a towel, as opposed to roughing it up with lots of damaging friction. Additionally, you can use a microfiber towel to dry your hair, like the Aquis Hair Drying Water Wicking Towel ($20).

4. Too much heat styling: Let’s face it: there’s no way to completely stop using a hair dryer or hot iron forever. But letting your hair air dry until it’s barely damp to lessen the amount of time under the blow dryer is a good move. In addition, before you plug in any heat-styling tool, remember to spray on a thermal protectant to minimize damage.

5. Chemical processing: Whether you color, get straightening treatments, or wear a perm, chemical processing damages the hair cuticle. Try limiting yourself to one chemical process, and make sure to give your hair extra TLC with a hydrating hair mask to prevent breakage. Also, avoid using products with alcohol, as they will dry out already-fragile hair.

How to Remove Split Ends at Home

If you’re stuck at home and unable to make an appointment with your stylist to take care of your split ends, celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook gave her followers on social media a step-by-step tutorial on trimming your hair at home.

According to her, when cutting your split ends, it’s best to work on dry hair, cutting in small sections from the top to the bottom of your head. Once you’re done, you can follow up with a hydrating hairspray or mist. Head over here to get a more in-depth look at the best way to trim your hair at home.

Kaitlyn Dreyling was a former associate editor for PS Beauty.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.