Ok, so we’ve all been there. You run your fingers through your tresses and feel those tell-tale frayed, straw-like ends. Without doubt, split ends are one of the most common hair complaints. While they often seem like a minor, if exceptionally annoying, issue, split ends are a clear sign your hair is crying out for some TLC. Split ends just don’t affect the way your hair looks – they effect how it behaves and how it grows.
The good news? With the right care, nourishment, and products, you can reduce split ends and keep your hair looking strong, healthy, and smooth — from root to tip. Here’s the lowdown:
What Are Split Ends?
Despite being very common, most of us aren’t aware of the actual mechanics of the problem! Split ends happen when the hair’s outer layer (the cuticle) becomes worn or damage exposing and weakening the inner core. This causes the hair shaft to split. This usually occurs at the tips, but split ends can run 2 or 3 centimetres up the shaft.
Why Do Split Ends Matter?
Split ends don’t just ruin the sleek look of your hair — they signal deeper damage. Frayed, straw-like tips make hair look unhealthy, even when the rest is fine. They also snag and tangle easily, leading to more breakage. Left untreated, splits can travel up the shaft, weakening hair mid-length and making it harder to grow long.
Even with major styling efforts, if you don’t manage split ends, your hair just won’t look its best. Styling damaged ends is exceedingly difficult and your hair won’t hold shape, shine or bounce like it should.
Most importantly, split ends are often a symptom of poor hair health overall. They’re a visible red flag that your hair might need more support inside and out.
What Causes Split Ends?
Split ends are usually the result of a combination of environmental and mechanical stress. Here are some of the main culprits:
- Heat styling – Regular use of straighteners, curling irons, or blow dryers weakens the hair fibre.
- Over-washing – Everyone’s hair is different, and how often you should wash depends on your hair type and texture. But, washing too frequently has been linked with stripping essential natural oils, leading to dryness and brittleness.
- Chemical treatments – Bleaching, colouring, and relaxing can wreak havoc on the hair structure. Switch to natural dyes wherever possible – they may not last as long, but your hair and scalp will thank you!
- Nutritional deficiencies – Lack of key vitamins and minerals can compromise hair strength and repair.
- Rough handling – Brushing too hard, towel-drying aggressively, or tying hair too tightly.
- The world around us – Sun, rain, wind, pollution and hard water are just some of the environmental stressors our hair contends with every day!
What You Should Stop Doing
The first step in conquering split ends is breaking the habits that cause them. Cut back on heat styling — or choose tools with adjustable settings and always use a heat protectant. There are some excellent air-dried hairstyles out there by the way! Be gentle when brushing, especially on wet hair, and avoid tight hairstyles that strain the hairline. Limiting chemical treatments like bleaching and colouring also helps prevent weakening and splitting.
What You Should Start Doing
Now for the good news: there are plenty of proactive steps you can take to repair and prevent split ends — starting today.
Firstly, get yourself into the salon. Once a strand splits, nothing can fuse it back together permanently. A regular trim will remove the split ends and prevents the damage travelling up the strands. Deep hydration is a must. Our Hair Gain Hair Mask is intensely hydrating and nourishing treatment that repairs, protects, and strengthens the hair, and reduces hair breakage and fall by up to 60% from the first use*.
Our busy lives often mean we miss the key hair vitamins and nutrients we need to keep our locks in top condition. Supporting your hair from within is paramount. Our Hair Gain Hair Capsules and Hair Gummies deliver the unique AnaGain™ ingredient, along with an incredible blend of essential nutrients to promote stronger, shinier strands that are more resilient to breakage.
Hair is most vulnerable when it’s wet – and it needs to be detangled gently. The Hair Gain Comb effortlessly moves through wet hair, smoothing even the unruliest of locks! It’s also excellent at evenly distributing products like the Hair Gain Hair Mask through your tresses.
And to avoid damage caused by over washing, try spacing out your shampoo days with Hair Gain’s Peptide Puff™ Dry Shampoo. It refreshes roots, absorbs oil, and adds volume — all while supporting scalp health with peptides and panthenol.
Don’t Neglect The Scalp
While your scalp is at the other end of your strands, it is the foundation of your hair. A well-nourished, balanced scalp creates the ideal environment for stronger, healthier hair to grow — and strong hair is far less likely to split at the ends. In contrast, a dry, irritated, or poorly nourished scalp can weaken hair at the root, making strands more brittle and vulnerable as they grow out. Hair Gain’s Scalp Foam helps create the ideal environment for growth — calming, hydrating, and strengthening your hair.
How To Treat Split Ends - Final Thoughts
It’s worth repeating that once a hair strand is split, it can’t truly be mended, only cut. But by adopting better habits, and the right products, you can prevent them happening and say hello to smoother, shinier, and healthier hair.
Explore the full Hair Gain range of supplements, topicals, and accessories here — and start your journey to stronger strands today.
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*Independently tested May 2023, results achieved when tested as a regime with the Hair Gain Scalp Foam
