What Are Split Ends, And How Do You Get Rid of Them?

Split ends happen to the best of us, and once you notice their existence on your own head of hair, it can be hard to avoid fixating on them. But what are split ends, anyway? In a nutshell, they’re frayed bits of hair that develop after your strands become damaged. And while a few split ends aren’t generally cause for concern, a whole head of them usually means that your haircare routine could use a revamp.

Though minuscule, split ends can cause hair to look dull and frizzy, make your strands harder to manage, and lead to breakage. In an effort to help your mane (and ours), we’re answering all your burning questions about this common haircare concern and sharing our best tips on keeping your hair looking (and feeling) strong and healthy.

What Are Split Ends?

In order to understand what split ends are, it’s useful to have an idea of how the hair is structured. Each strand of hair consists of an inner cortex surrounded by a protective outer layer called the cuticle. The cuticle is made up of individual “scales” that, in healthy hair, lay flat to help keep the hair hydrated and shield it against damage.

If the cuticle becomes damaged—which can occur after exposure to environmental stressors, certain haircare practices, or friction—those scales can lift. Further exposure to damaging stressors can cause the hair to split lengthwise, resulting in those telltale dead ends.

How To Identify Split Ends

Split ends in hair are sometimes dry and brittle, but they can also feel soft, so it’s not always easy to identify them. If you really want to know if your strands are splitting, take a look at an individual piece of hair. There will be small breaks toward the end of the strand. Severe split end hairs can look like little trees with branches shooting off in one direction or another. In some cases, the ends of your hair may be whitish or appear lighter in color than the rest of your mane.

Some signs of split ends include:

• Frayed or split tips
• Rough or uneven texture at the ends of the hair
• Hair that looks more sparse toward the ends
• Dullness at the ends
• Increased breakage when combing or brushing

5 Types of Split Ends You Should Know About

Split ends can take on several forms. Ahead, learn about five common types of split ends and how to identify each.

1. Traditional split

Traditional split ends occur when the hair splits vertically down the center of the shaft. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the end of your hair seems to form a “Y” shape.

2. Partial split

A partial split is more akin to fraying than a true split. This type of split end can develop when the hair is dry or dehydrated—and unlike other split ends, can often be addressed with the help of reparative hair treatments (like masks or deep conditioners).

3. Tree split

Tree splits are among the most severe forms of split ends—and among the most common. Rather than splitting down the center once, tree splits feature several splits along the length of the shaft. You can identify this type of split end by its resemblance to branches on a tree.

4. Feather split

Feather splits are similar to a tree split in that they involve the hair splitting multiple times. But instead of looking like a tree with branches coming off of it, feather splits appear fluffier and the splits may be less distinct. This type of split end can make the hair appear fluffy or frizzy.

5. Incomplete split

An incomplete split end is exactly what it sounds like: a split end that’s not fully formed. It happens when the hair is weakened but the end hasn’t yet broken into two distinct pieces. These types of splits can appear similar to a sewing needle, with the intact hair representing the body of the needle and the incomplete split being the eye of the needle.

What Causes Split Ends?

Split ends result from damage to the hair’s outer cuticle, which as mentioned earlier, can happen after exposure to environmental stressors, chemicals, heat, or friction. Keep reading for a rundown on seven common factors that can lead to brittle, dead ends.

1. Overbrushing

Not long ago, it was widely believed that brushing your hair 100 strokes per day would help promote softer, shinier strands. That, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), is a myth. Overbrushing your hair creates friction, which can damage the hair’s outer cuticle and leave your strands vulnerable to damage. Instead, brush only as much as is necessary to remove knots and tangles (and be gentle!).

2. Heat styling

It’s no secret that using hot tools can contribute to hair damage (and in turn, make your strands more vulnerable to splitting). Aim to limit your use of hot tools and use a heat protectant when you do to help shield your strands against unnecessary damage.

3. Tight hairstyles

Not only can heat styling do damage, but certain hairstyles (even heat-free ones!) can do harm. The AAD warns against continuously wearing tight hairstyles like braids, cornrows, tight ponytails, or buns, as these styles pull on the hair and can cause tension that leads to breakage.

4. Certain hair accessories

Avoid tying up your strands with rubber bands or using tight clips, as these high-tension accessories can lead to breakage. If you are tying your hair up, opt for a silk or satin scrunchie—the slippery fabric creates less friction on your hair, which may help to minimize damage.

5. Bleaching and coloring

The chemicals in bleach and permanent hair color cause the scales on your hair’s outer cuticle to lift (and it’s by design—that lifting is how the color or bleach penetrates your hair). Of course, when the cuticle is damaged in this way, split ends and other types of hair damage become more likely. Taking proper care of your hair pre- and post-coloring can help to minimize the damage.

6. Chemical treatments

As with hair coloring treatments, treatments like perms and relaxers contain chemicals that lift the hair’s outer cuticle. To minimize damage, try to limit the amount of chemical treatments you get and prioritize giving your hair plenty of TLC between salon visits.

7. Towel-drying

It can be tempting to dry your hair with the towel you wrap around yourself after showering, but we’d advise against doing so: bath towels can be too rough on the hair and, when rubbed onto wet strands, create friction that leads to breakage. Instead, wrap your strands in a microfiber cloth or cotton T-shirt post-showering to help absorb excess water without damaging your strands.

Do Split Ends Stop Hair Growth?

Split ends won’t stop hair growth since this type of damage affects the ends of the hair and not the root (where hair growth begins). What you may experience, however, is the illusion that your hair isn’t growing. This is because damaged, dead ends tend to break off over time, causing your hair length to remain stagnant. This is why many stylists recommend getting a trim every six to eight weeks—cutting off split ends before they have a chance to travel up the hair shaft and snap off may make it appear as though your hair is growing more rapidly.

How To Get Rid of Split Ends

We’re sorry to be the ones to break the news, but there’s no way to get rid of split ends permanently other than getting a haircut. Some reparative haircare treatments can improve the appearance of split ends and help prevent future damage, but once your hair is split, there’s no gluing it back together.

The good news: If your split ends are minor, you probably don’t need to opt for a hefty cut to get rid of your split ends. A subtle trim (think a quarter to half an inch) might do the trick. And if you do need to get a more significant chop to get your split ends under control, try not to stress—instead, think of it as the perfect opportunity to try a new hairstyle.

How To Prevent Split Ends

The best way to manage split ends is to prevent them from forming in the first place. And luckily, there are several things that you can do to help prevent split ends. Below are a few tips you can try to maintain your hair’s healthy look and feel.

1. Use the right shampoo and conditioner

Dry, damaged hair breaks and frays easily. To help reinforce your strands and keep damage to a minimum, we suggest swapping out your existing shampoo and conditioner for a strengthening haircare system, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair system. The three-piece lineup includes an intensive pre-shampoo treatment, a gentle shampoo, and a hydrating conditioner, which penetrate deep into the hair fiber to help rebuild weak and damaged hair bonds. The reparative system is sulfate-free, color-safe, and suitable for all hair types (and textures!).

2. Use a deep conditioner

Adding a deep conditioner to your weekly haircare routine can help boost your hair’s resilience and make it less susceptible to damage. If your hair is weak or brittle, or you’re prone to split ends, we suggest reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm. This rinse-out hair mask provides intense nourishment and helps repair up to one year of visible damage to hair’s smoothness in a single use. Use it weekly or as needed in place of your regular conditioner for stronger, smoother-looking hair.

3. Be careful when detangling hair

It can be tempting to brush your hair immediately after showering so it dries without tangles, but that may not be the best idea: hair is more vulnerable to breakage when it’s wet. If you need to detangle post-shower, use a wide-toothed comb and work slowly from the ends up to loosen tangles without pulling or tugging on your strands.

4. Reach for nourishing leave-in treatments

Hair mousse and gel can be fabulous for styling, but if your hair is damaged, you may want to opt for more nourishing leave-in treatments. Leave-in conditioners, for example, can help hydrate your hair and protect it from unnecessary damage while aiding in your daily styling routine. For those with curly hair, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream Leave In Conditioner. The vitamin B and castor oil-infused formula helps seal split ends for a sleeker end result and offers protection against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can use your hot tools safely.

Alternatively, try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Treatment, which is suitable for all hair types. This leave-in conditioner and heat protectant helps protect against everyday wear and tear that can lead to damage and leaves the hair silky, smooth, and healthy-looking.

5. Change up your hairstyle

Your tried-and-true ponytail could be contributing to your hair woes. Constantly putting your hair up into the same style puts tension on the hair, which can lead to breakage where you usually place your elastic. To help keep your hair looking its best, it’s a good idea to decrease the frequency with which you wear updos. When you do want to tie your hair up, use a silk or satin scrunchie to help minimize friction on your strands and switch up your style so your elastic isn’t always tied around the same section of hair.

6. Get routine trims

Getting routine trims nixes budding split ends and keeps other hair damage at bay. This may sound undesirable to anyone trying to preserve their length, but it’s actually helpful if you want healthy, manageable long strands. If you’re worried about removing too many inches, try hair dusting, which is like a baby haircut meant to remove split ends and other unwanted damage without noticeably reducing length.

7. Minimize heat and chemical exposure

You totally saw this coming—heat styling, chemical treatments, and constant bleaching put anyone on the fast track to split ends. Minimize chemical treatments and bleaching by waiting the recommended amount of weeks between processing sessions. Similarly, cut back on the hot tools and sport low-tension, heatless hairstyles as much as possible. If you do need to pick up your blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron, always use a heat protectant on your hair first. We love the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Leave-In, which helps protect against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next Up: 15 Tips on How to Get Shiny Hair