12 Ways to Prevent Split Ends From Forming, According to Experts
Expert-recommended ways to prevent split ends include:
- Air-dry your hair instead of using hair dryers.
- Use a detangling brush or wide-tooth comb to minimize hair breakage.
- Dial down the temperature of styling tools to avoid heat damage.
- Limit the frequency of washing hair, especially if you wash daily.
- Choose all-natural shampoos without harsh ingredients.
- Apply conditioner after shampooing or use a leave-in conditioner.
- Detangle wet hair gently with a wide-tooth comb.
- Limit services that damage hair (e.g., coloring, chemical straightening).
- Use a heat-protective spray and minimize the use of heat styling tools.
- Consider taking supplements like biotin and folic acid to strengthen hair.
- Avoid hairstyles like ponytails and hair twists that can cause split ends; use hair ties gently if necessary.
- Regularly trim hair for maintenance, with salon visits every 6-8 weeks suggested (for Afro-textured hair, this is especially important due to the natural hair follicle curvature).
Remember, split ends cannot be repaired, and the only way to deal with them is by cutting them off. So, implement these preventive measures to maintain healthier hair and a reduced occurrence of split ends.