So, how do I repair them?
Along with regular hair protein treatments, you can also follow other hair care techniques such as using a wide-toothed comb, taking vitamin supplements* to keep your hair healthy, and trimming your hair once in a while.
Something my hair stylist told me is to douse my hair in coconut oil* the day before wash day. I simply take a spray bottle and wet the hair then section it off and apply the treatment.
During the day I wear it up in a simple bun so it’s not all in my face. If you do this method, make sure you sleep with a plastic shower cap* so you won’t get oil all over your pillow!
You should also make it a priority to check the hardness of the water before washing your hair. Swimming pools, as well as regular tap water, may contain excessive chlorine that is harmful for your hair.
If you hair is exposed to such water, always wash it immediately with a shampoo and use a deep conditioner*, natural oils*, or any homemade protein treatment to ensure that your hair is thoroughly moisturized and has enough moisture to prevent it from drying and developing split ends.
How often should I trim my hair?
Normally, hair grows up to a quarter or half of an inch on a monthly basis. Depending upon the severity of your split ends, you should carefully decide on the intervals, as having a trim too often may actually negatively affect the health of your hair.
As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to trim your hair once in 3 months, or if you have a faster growth rate, once in two months may be preferred. Try to mix up your hair styles and use moisturizing agents or heat protection to ensure that you keep your hair moisturized, which will help in preventing split ends.
How much should I trim?
A professional hair stylist should have an exact idea about how far up your hair should be trimmed to avoid split ends. However, if you wish to trim your own hair, you have to analyze the extent of damage, and see how far the ends are split.
Take a group of hair strands and spread it out across a light background or against the light, which will give you a fair idea about the length of hair that has been damaged.
Once you find the ideal length, trim about a centimeter away from the split ends by cutting perpendicularly to your hair, and not in an angled position. Straight cuts are always a good option for maintaining a healthy hair.
You can also get your family members or your friends to help you out, but if you are not sure of what you are doing, always visit a hair styling expert.
We in the natural community appreciate every inch of hair that grows, but we shouldn’t be afraid of scissors! A good trim will benefit us in the long run. How have your hair-trimming experiences been?
Garnett Quillen says
Amen