The Black Plague of #HairGoals, Split Ends

Split ends y'all, we have to talk about it.

Split ends, formally know as trichoptilosis or schizotrichia, and informally as the crying face emoji.
The worst thing about split ends is the deception that your hair is long. If your hair is long and damaged, then does it really matter TBH.

First thing first, what are split ends?

The name kind of gives itself away. It is when the ends of the hair shaft are split or frayed. This happens because the protective layer, aka the cuticle, of the hair shaft has been stripped off. Pretty much, the hair has been worn out like when you don't wash your clothes according the care tag. #imguilty

But are they that bad tho?

YES.

One because of the appearance. The hair looks limp and lifeless. Secondly, your hair cannot maintain styles because the ends. And I'm sorry, and this is coming from someone who had split ends, the hair looks kinda sloppy.

But even beyond appearance and functionality, not cutting it could make things worse.

The split can drive up the shaft, resulting in split middles as well. And the weaker the ends are, the quicker they will break off, even at the slightest touch. #beenthere

Causes

Now there are pretty much two ways to strip the cuticle, too much heat or stressing the hair out.
The hair shaft is pretty strong honestly but when you add in multiple stripping and damaging factors, the hair just has to be damaged...like it has to.

Let's focus on heat:
- Too much heat at one time, even amidst heat protectants, will fry your hair. For example, blow drying your hair on high and flat ironing it on 450 + all in one day.
- Too much heat over time will fry your hair. If all that heat in one day didn't do the trick, all that heat over the course a year definitely will.

Now for the sneakier culprit, stress:
Stress can come from everywhere.
- Stripping shampoos
- Excessive washing
- Perming/Relaxing
- Hair Dye
- Combing, Brushing
- Rubbing on dry or rough fabrics (such finger and clothes)
& more...
This goes deeeeeep, you have to be very careful here. Be conscious of how your hair reacts to products, environments, fabrics etc...

FIX IT LORD

cut it. cut it. cut it. cut it. dab.

DO NOT FALL FOR THOSE "HOW TO FIX SPLIT ENDS WITHOUT CUTTING THEM" FOOLERY.
IT IS A LIE FROM THE DEVIL.
It's like putting a bandaid on a broken foot.
The best that could happen is temporarily sealing the ends together, but issue in deeper than that.
The cuticle, aka natural protective layer, is comprised. Those ends cannot be protected long term without the cuticle intact.
They will get messed up again or worst, remember split middles.
And I get it. That length tho. But the length looks bad and unhealthy, you know like that guy that is balding but still has some wisps of hair and slaps some gel on top to attempt to cover up the bald spot with a combover... we see you bro...and we see you sis. Let it goooooo.
You got to cut it. You just got to. #dasssit

When you have freshly chopped, clean ends, you'll be so much happier with the quality of your hair despite the fact that you lost length. And hair always grows back!

Prevent it girl

I don't think you need to discard allll your ways of doing your hair, but I think you can find a middle ground.

First heat:

- Air dry (in braids)

- Blow dry on cool setting

- Flat iron max 400 (for kinkier textures, 350 for looser textures)

- Use two heat protectants (a liquid and serum)

Finally, DO NOT PUT OIL ON YOUR HAIR BEFORE FLAT IRONING. 

You are literally preparing your hair to fry. 

Put it on afterwards, especially on your ends.

Lastly stress:

- Use shampoos without Alcohol and Sulfates mainly.

- Add oils to your conditioners.

- Use products with sunscreen in them.

- If you relax your hair, consider being texlaxed and add oil to your relaxer and leave it in for half the time. 

  If you don't want to do that, then at least put oil on your ends before you relax.

- If you are dying your hair a lighter color, please be natural. Do not to both a perm and hair dye, unless you're rocking a short cut. 

  It's too much for your hair, which you'll see over time.

- Finger detangle. It's easier in my opinion. 

  But if not, use wide tooth combs. And if you're natural (type 4), you should not be brushing through your hair all wild tbh. So that one, just stop....

- Lastly, try to keep your hands out of your hair, unless you're massaging your scalp (which is great to do!). And keep your hair off your shoulders at times.

Additionally, protein treatments (once a month), deep conditioning (major key!), and protective/low manipulation (aka put your hair away and don't do too much) are awesome for your hair.

La fin

Now I don't want you to get overwhelmed with the things you can't do.
Main thing I want you to take away is the mixture of many bad factors must end badly, i.e. you need balance.
I say this to say, if you use a stripping shampoo once every two weeks and cowash all the other times, versus everyday, and heat style once every other month (just an example), it's okay.

Don't cut out everything that makes your hair more manageable and beautiful to you because you're trying to maintain your hair health. You will not enjoy your hair or feel beautiful.
Instead, find out where you can change your unhealthy techniques and still maintain the results you liked while also adding in and trying new healthier methods.



Enjoy your hair in a healthier and beautiful way!

Love,
Char 💕