5 REASONS YOU HAVE SPLIT ENDS- AND HOW TO FIX THEM

The bottom line is that everyone will have split ends at some point in their life, but you can take steps to prevent them if you are armed with the knowledge about what causes split ends in the first place.

1- You don't keep up on your trims

The only real way to eliminate split ends is to cut them off. A scissor leaves the hair with a blunt end, which gives the appearance of healthy and shiny hair. Blunt ends will endure heat styling and coloring better than frayed ends. On average I recommend my clients get a trim every 8-10 weeks, but if you have curly or textured hair, I recommend you bump it up to 6-8 weeks.

2- You use heat styling tools more than twice a week

Everyone knows the benefits of heat tools for perfecting your style, but they should be used sparingly and cautiously. Gone are the days of flat-ironing your hair into oblivion- thank goodness! Opt for a style that complements your natural wave patterns a textures. Natural hair is happy hair- and todays' world is embracing 'natural' like never before. Instead of wrapping every strand around your curling iron, try letting your waves air dry, then selectively perfect a few curls near the crown and around your face. Or loosely braid damp hair, let dry, and wear a messy wave instead of straight locks. Small styling changes will make a big difference in the health of your hair.

3- You wash your hair with HOT water

I love a hot shower like the rest of the world, but HOT water is drying, causes fading, and dullness to your hair. By simply using cooler water during your wash- you'll close down the outer layer (the cuticle) which gives the appearance of smoother shinier hair. Better yet after you've finished your shower, turn the tub faucet back on and run the ends of your hair under COLD water for a few seconds. Your body will stay warm, but your hair will get a blast of shine and protection.

4- You repeat your color or highlight application

If you are a color connoisseur, you are most likely touching up your color every 6-8 weeks. But you should not be reapplying color to your whole head every time. Layering color on top of previous color will cause more drying and damage in the long run. Talk to your stylist about applying color only to the root area as much as possible, and avoid pulling highlights all the way down the hair shaft on previously lightened locks. This is especially important if you are doing your own color at home. At home box color is formulated with very high levels of ammonia to ensure coverage on the majority of the public. But you may not need such a strong formula- so repeat use of these dyes will lead to over-pigmented, dry and brittle hair.

5- You don't use moisturizing hair products on your ends 

If you can only afford to buy one professional quality product for your hair- it should be a repairing and protecting styling aid. The bottom line is that the ends of your hair will always be drier than the rest of your hair. If you don't take care of them, you'll have more split ends then necessary. Whenever hair is washed, you should be applying an aftercare product that will protect and moisturize the ends. My favorite that I always recommend is Monoi Repairing Split End Sealer. It's AMAZEBALLS! Apply to damp hair and use a wide tooth comb to release tangles and spread the product throughout the hair.

I hope these tips will help you achieve healthier hair and avoid split ends. Little changes add up to big results, and I know you can have your best hair yet! Like this post? Be sure and share it with your friends, and of course sign up to get updates from me through email using the sign up bar on the left.

Thanks!