Splits
Splits in the hair shaft come in all shapes and sizes. From the simple and common split end to exotic banana peel like multi splits. They form either when the hair cuticles protecting the underlying hair fibre has eroded away or when a crack forms in the strand due to stress.
Contrary to what a lot of us think, splits ends don’t only form due to the use of heat. Combing, brushing, pulling, braiding, washing and in fact any activity that involves manipulating your hair leads to the loss of cuticles which eventually lead to splits.
Here is a mid shaft split on hair that has never been styled with heat.
So do split end repair serums work?
I used one of these products on a mega split end that I found on one of my shed hairs. This is the product used and it’s claims are threefold:
- Helps bind existing split ends with one use
- Helps end split ends with continued use
- Helps protect hair from damage and breakage
Here is the hair after treatment:
Quite underwhelming in my opinion. The product has clearly brought part of the split together but not the whole thing. For shorter splits, you can expect better results but after washing, the splits will return to their original state.
The serums may be useful as a temporary fix and while it is true that they prevent the splits from travelling further up the hair shaft hence causing more damage, they are certainly not a long term solution.
To solve split ends, a sharp pair of hair shears is the best solution. You can prevent them from occurring by limiting the use of hot styling tools and keeping your hair grooming time short and sweet.
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Kriseana Hardman Steward says
Now that there’s education on this. It won’t hurt to trim/cut/shear for the overall health of your hair not destruction. Surely there are pics and stories of those that have healthy hair with ends in tact. There are so many benefits for for styling when hair is healthy. Please trim/cut for healthy strong and let’s not forget healthy hair and for that real beauty to shine 😉
Khalilah Walton says
^^ yuuuup
Tammilee Brown says
i hate em
True Riches says
I just cut 2inches but my ends falling out bad. Is that when .protein come in. How offend? If so.
Ameenya German says
Yea, you fix knots and split ends by cutting them off….. Problem solved.. 🙂
Starlan Hoke says
I have the knots
Laura Dosmeus says
Yes do a protein treatment and not too often. I do it every month Tammilee Brown
Lozette Clemons says
Deep condition and protein treatments are me best friend since going natural. Olive oil and hair mayo and trim
Hana Lee Mnl says
lol I used to pluck myn out