Split Ends - The Work of The Devil!
This is a common condition which proves to be the bane of every girl's life! Split ends are most often seen in long hair but also found in shorter hair that is out of condition and is an affliction of anyone trying to grow their hair. The problem can be solved with good hair maintenance so check our advice!The Causes:* As your hair grows, the natural oils from the scalp can fail to reach the ends, making the ends of the hair more vulnerable than the roots.* The ends of your hair have had a long exposure to the sun, gone through many shampoos and been overheated by hairdryers and straighteners, which results in dry and brittle ends which are prone to splitting. * Not trimming your hair regularly is possibly the main cause of split ends. Prevention is better than a cure!* Damage due to colouring when done to excess also causes dry brittle ends. * Poor quality brushes and combs can also cause this problem. The Cures:* If you already have split ends, the obvious and only real cure is to cut them off. This is not always the most favored option for many of us who hate to be parted from our locks, especially if we are growing our hair. Bear in mind that if you don't do something about them then your hair will gradually get shorter anyway because split ends drop off and continue to split backwards towards the scalp at a faster rate than your hair can grow. To get your hair back into shape and keep it looking that way we suggest you try some of the basic methods below:* Use specialist products that are designed to seal the splits temporarily in order to catch any splits that are shorter than the length you want to cut your hair to and to allow your hair to grow a little longer before you trim. * A weekly conditioning treatment is also a good idea especially if your hair is prone to splitting, chemically treated or exposed to ceramic straighteners. * Trim regularly (every 6 weeks for shorter hair 8 to 12 weeks for longer hair) and apply regular treatments. * Layers in your hair can catch splits that have become really bad which is better than losing lots of length.* Avoid excess heat and too much brushing and combing. * Invest in quality combs and real bristle brushes. Throw away combs immediately a tooth is lost and never use metal combs. * What ever you do, if you want to keep your hair long, don't ignore split ends because, as they split they also break away, meaning that your hair is in effect getting shorter every time you brush it!
Brushing Tips
1. Regular brushing with a ball-tipped bristle brush through to the scalp will stimulate the blood supply and promote healthy growth.
2. Brushing not only removes dust and grime from your hair, but also helps to distribute the natural oils that your hair needs for protection along its lengths.
3. Brush out any tangles before shampooing. It not only makes life easier, but avoids unnecessary stress on your hair later.
4. Never use a brush on wet hair, always use a wide-toothed comb.
5. The best finishing brush for that smooth silky look is the large paddle brush.
6. Cleaning brushes is very important and can be done by using another strong bristle brush in a criss-cross action. Don't soak wooden brushes in water but rinse and use a brush or comb to take out the build-up. Shampoo can be used to wash bristles.
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