cut it out!
yeah i said it…the dreaded c-word! get rid of damaged hair!if it’s raggedy, it needs to go! ladies if your ends are severely split, or breaking off with every wash – cut them. get it over with. i’ll even let you do a little at a time :) and while you’re at it get a pair of hair shears like those pictured above to do the job right(don’t use little timmy’s craft scissors!). then get right with your moisturizing regimen and baby those ends to prevent future damage! when your hair is properly moisturized, you will find the need to cut diminish. you’ll have a great foundation to grow out your hair to your desired length.
How to Prevent and Protect Your Hair From Split Ends
(courtesy of spa boutique)
A split end is when the hair-shaft splits or flays due to excessive heat and misuse. They happen when the protective cuticle has been stripped away from the ends of hair fibers. Split ends are more likely to develop in dry or brittle hair. Typically the hair splits into two or three strands, and can be as long or two to three centimeters in length. There is no way to repair split ends; when they occur, the hair must be trimmed. Did you know that splitting of hairs at the ends” is also known as “Trichoptilosis”? It comes from the Greek root “tricho” meaning hair and “ptilosis” meaning “falling out of the eyelashes.”
Typical causes of damage include:
* Vigorous brushing.
* Excessive usage of hot styling tools and drying (irons, blow dryers, hot rollers).
* Overuse of chemical treatments (perms, hair color and highlighting).
* Use of inferior styling tools that rip or snag hair (cheap synthetic brushes or combs, brush rollers, etc.,).
* Environmental damage from heat, cold, wind and other climate issues.
* Lack of routine maintenance such as regular trimming.
* Trimming with inferior scissors.
* Improper de-tangling techniques.
* Excessive use of low quality styling products such as gels, waxes and sprays.
* Over washing.
What Split Ends Can Look Like:
a) Start out to look like this – the classic split end.
b) If the classic split (a) is not stopped it continues to split along the shaft
c) Multiple Splits – worse case when classic (a) and (b) is not stopped
d) The Dot looks like a piece of fluff, but doesn’t brush off
e) The Dot bends at a straight angle. This is not really a split thought, it is Trichorrexis Nodosa and is actually caused by an explosion of the cortex (2nd layer) of the hair in a single spot.
f) The hole is the most difficult split end to find. The hair shaft has developed a split in the middle. To find this one, look for a small section that is lighter.
g) When you take the hole split strand and push them together, it pushes the split apart and creates and hole.
check out the rest of the post which provides 11 tips and techniques to avoid split ends.
that’s it…short(tee-hee) and sweet
~j~
