Split ends — they’re the enemy of silky soft hair. Not only do they make your hair look frizzy and feel thin, but they also keep your hair from growing longer. As someone who grew out her pixie cut last year, avoiding split ends has been high on my priority list, so I can keep my hair long and smooth. Luckily, our hairstylists know the hair care practices and Davines products we all need to nourish our hair and keep those pesky split ends away. Read on for our stylists’ advice and recommendations!
What Split Ends Look & Feel Like
Split ends are when the ends of your hair look like a “Y” shape. The ends of your hair may feel rough, and they may look more translucent compared to your healthy, thicker hair.
If you gently stretch a strand of your hair and it snaps off, you likely have split ends as well — healthy hair is elastic and bounces back to its original state.
The Culprits Behind Split Ends
When the protective cuticle layer of your hair is damaged, your hair will split into two or more sections. Once a hair strand splits, there is no way to repair the cuticle. Your hair strand will continue splitting all the way up the hair shaft, breaking off along the way.
So what causes split ends?
- Hot tools. Your blow dryer, straightener, or curling iron can dry out and damage your hair.
- Chemical treatments. Bleach, perms, and relaxers break down the protein bonds in your hair, making your strands more fragile.
- Overwashing. Shampooing your hair too often can strip away the natural oils your hair needs to stay hydrated. Without these natural oils, your hair becomes dry and brittle.
- Rough handling. Your hair is most fragile when it’s wet. When you comb your hair too hard after showering or sleep on wet hair, this friction weakens your hair’s protective cuticle layer.
How to Treat & Prevent Split Ends
Hair Trims
If you already have split ends, schedule a visit with your hairstylist to trim your damaged ends and keep them from splitting up the hair shaft. My hairstylist Rachel recommends I schedule my Design Cuts with her every 6-8 weeks to maintain my bob’s length and prevent split ends.
During your Design Cut appointment, you can add on a conditioning treatment, like our specialty Herbal Hair Infusion Treatment, to moisturize your strands from their roots to tips for healthy, hydrated hair.
Heat Protectants
Reduce the risk of split ends with a heat protectant. Davines’ Melu Heat Shield protects your hair against your hot tools’ heat while hydrating your hair without any sticky residue.
How to use: Apply 5-10 sprays on towel-dried or dry hair. Then, comb through and follow with your desired styling products.
Davines’ OI All In One Milk is a leave-in conditioning spray that also protects your hair against your styling tools’ heat. Our stylist Lexi recommended this hydrating hair milk to me, and it has been my post-shower go-to ever since — it works wonders to soften and detangle my hair to prevent breakage when I comb it.
How to use: Apply 10-15 sprays to washed, towel-dried hair. Do not rinse, and proceed with styling.
Hair Masks
A hair mask can infuse your hair with the moisture it’s missing from heat styling or chemical treatments. Davines’ Nounou Hair Mask nourishes bleached, permed, or relaxed hair. This hair mask’s antioxidants and vitamins E & C restores your hair’s hydration and softness without weighing it down.
How to use: Replace your conditioner once a week with the Nounou Hair Mask. Apply a small amount to towel-dried hair. Comb through, and leave on for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse.
Davines’ The Renaissance Circle is a quick hair mask to rescue damaged, brittle hair. Its Babassu butter detangles your hair to bring back its shine and body while also repairing its structure, so your hair is healthier and stronger.
How to use: Apply to towel-dried hair after shampooing. Leave on for 10 minutes, then comb through and rinse.
If you have color-treated hair, you may notice how your hot tools can dull your hair color. Davines’ Minu Hair Mask not only gives your hair extra hydration and nourishment to prevent breakage, but this hair mask also illuminates your hair color and protects it from fading.
How to use: Apply to towel-dried hair after shampooing. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Then, comb through and rinse.
Because wavy, curly, and coily hair is more porous than straight hair, these textures tend to be drier and prone to split ends. Davines’ Love Curl Hair Mask hydrates your hair for soft, bouncy, frizz-free curls.
How to use: Replace your conditioner once a week with the Love Curl Hair Mask. Apply a small amount to towel-dried hair. Comb through, and leave on for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse.
Gentle Handling
Give your hair a break from your hot tools with a heatless style. Kitsch’s Satin Heatless Curling Set or Velcro Volumizing Roller Clips give voluminous curls without a blow dryer or curling iron.
If you’re someone who jumps in the shower every morning, try spacing out the days between your shampoos to let your natural oils hydrate your hair. Use Davines’ This Is An Invisible Dry Shampoo to absorb your scalp’s excess oils between your wash days and give your hair volume. On hair wash days, our stylist Amanda recommends using Davines’ Momo Shampoo and Conditioner to gently cleanse your dry hair while while giving it a strong boost of hydration.
If you enjoy night time showers like I do, you might share one of my worst habits — going to bed with wet hair. Let your hair air dry before going to bed, or try braiding it for some overnight waves to protect your hair while you’re tossing and turning. After showering, use a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristle brush to detangle your locks with care. Trade your cotton towels and pillowcases for microfiber towels — like Cala’s Shower Cap & Hair Turban available in our salon & spa’s boutique — and silk pillowcases, which are much softer on your hair.
Nicole Thomas is the marketing manager for Tyler Mason Salon & Spa. She is also a passionate writer and digital marketer for several Indiana-based publications. When she isn’t at TM, she loves cozying up with a book and cup of coffee or crocheting a new cardigan for her wardrobe.