Hair health for men and women is an essential part of their self-esteem, and therefore its condition should be checked regularly. However, it becomes rather difficult to maintain the health of the hair considering the various factors such as stress from the environment, exposure to heat, and the use of chemicals. Damage of hair and appearance of ugly split-ends and hair-ends, are among the worst problems, which may occur to our hair. They are formed when stress from outside factors leads to wearing off of the cuticle on hair leading the hair to split. Hair shedding, on the other hand, is characterized by the hair strands breaking off at a weaker section of the hair shaft as a result of hair dryness, constant combing or brushing, or heat-styling among other things. In this guide, I will explain in detail seven best practices and the practical ways that will assist you in avoiding the split ends and hair breakage while enabling you to grow healthy hair.
1. Regular Trimming
By doing this, one is likely to be free from split ends and hair breakage which can be solved by getting a trim. Getting your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks can be effective in eradicating the damaged and frayed hair ends this way; before they grow higher up the hair strand and split.
Trimming is a vital procedure that cannot be overlooked in both males and females regardless of the type of hair or color. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Trimming is important often simply because the split end is capable of moving up the hair shaft causing more damage and hair breakage. If the split ends are not dealt with, they become a bad influence to the hair, making it to look frizzy and unhealthy. Daily trimming of hair will help in making your hair neat and healthy at all times. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Trimming: Here are some guidelines you need to bear in mind on how to trim your hair ideally;
You can hire the services of a barber/s stylist to give you a trim or you can do it yourself at home. If you choose to trim your hair at home, invest in a good pair of hair cutting scissors and follow these steps: If you choose to trim your hair at home, invest in a good pair of hair cutting scissors and follow these steps:
Start with clean, dry hair: For the best outcome, you should wash and let your hair dry before applying the above procedures. Hair appears longer when wet and you might be forced to trim more than you would have if the hair was dry. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Section your hair: Section your hair with clips for ease of styling with the brush in the next step. This makes it easier in cutting of the ends because one can easily notice where to cut and where not to cut.
Trim small sections: Curl a small strand of hair flat towards the face and on cutting it out, reduce the length by 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. Carry on this process section by section.
Check for evenness: Trimming is the last step, however, as a final step make sure that the ends of the hair are of the same length. Rearrange the items, if needed, in order to engage equal time.
2. Proper Hair Washing Techniques
The manner in which you wash your hair plays a huge role in determining the health of your hair. If one washes his or her hair frequently or uses strong shampoos it will cause the hair to lose its natural moisture and become brittle and split. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Choosing the Right Shampoo How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
When choosing a shampoo it is imperative that one chooses the right one in order to have healthy hair. The use of sulfate containing products frequently robs hair of its natural oils; therefore, one should use sulfate-free shampoos. Some of these include the proteins such as keratin, Biotin and natural oils which are important in building up the hair. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Sulfate-Free Shampoos: Sulfates are surfactants, which are at the center of most shampoos, nevertheless, they are severe and can precipitate skin and hair dryness, especially to very sensitive hair. It is thus advisable to use shampoos that do not contain sulfates since they are good in removing hair’s natural moisture.
Moisturizing Shampoos: For the people having dry hair or hair that break very often it is advisable to use a moisturizing shampoo which contains ingredients like argan oil, Shea butter or glycerin.
Frequency of Washing How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
If you wash your hair very often, you are likely to remove all the natural oils on your hair leading to dryness and splitting of the hair. Try to wash hair at least twice a week, but not more than three, depending on hair type and the rates of individual’s activity. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Dry Hair: For those with a dry hair type, washing you hair should be less frequent, it is advisable to wash your hair once or twice a week in order to retain the natural oils. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Oily Hair: Depending on the type of your hair, you may have to wash your hair more often, but this does not mean you should wash more than required. Though, using a gentle balancing shampoo will achieve the aim of reducing the production of sebum. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Water Temperature How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Avoid using hot water as this is not good for the hair; instead, use warm water when rinsing. Finally rinse with cold water to close the hair cuticle and give the hair that shiny look.
Lukewarm Water: The water that is used to dilute the shampoo should be warm this will reduce the amount of damage that is done to hair when it is being washed.
Cool Water Rinse: Rinsing with cold water at the end can ‘seal’ the hair cuticle which is important in maintaining and increasing its shine.
3. Condition and Moisturize
The continued application of a moisturizer can go along way in ensuring that the hair does not split at the ends as well as in breaking. Treatments and deep conditioning products may also assist in decreasing the amount of stress affecting your hair, specifically your hair strands.
Using a Conditioner How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Use a conditioner each time you shampoo wetting only the middle and tips of your hair. It assist in restoring the loss of moisture and, therefore, helps prevent this hair from getting tangled.
Conditioner Application: When rinsing the hair apply the conditioner to the hair in the middle, this is the area to the tips of the hair. Do not apply the conditioner to your scalp as this is likely to make hair flat and appear oily. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Leave-In Conditioners: The leave-in conditioners can help in offering this requirement all through the day. They are especially beneficial for persons with dry or damaged hair as their main function is to offer added shield to the hair shaft against any further harm from recognizable sources.
Deep Conditioning How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Take a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask into your once a week regimen. Products that have nutrients such as argan oil, shea butter and protein should be chosen.
Deep Conditioning Treatments: It is encouraged that in a week, you give your hair a deep conditioning treatment and let it sit for about 10-30 minutes then wash it off.
Hair Masks: Hair masks differ with deep conditioners in that they are rich, buttery and normally contain even stronger elements. Apply a hair mask once a week or once in two weeks when you want to treat your hair a special care. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
4. Minimize Heat Styling
Electric singeing tools like blow dryers, curling irons and straighteners should be used regularly because they can seriously harm hair. High temperatures cause damage to the hair shaft and make hair split at the tips and break. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Using Heat Protectants How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
It’s necessary to use a heat protectant spray or serum before using any tool that applies heat. These products come in between your hair and the heat, thus minimizing the amount of damage it can cause.
Heat Protectant Sprays: Applying a heat protectant spray on your hair is an important procedure and it should be done uniformly before applying any heat item. The end of such sprays typically has compounds such as silicones and proteins that protect your hair from heat.
Heat Protectant Serums: Take a small amount of heat protectant serum – if you have bangs, apply focusing on the tips of the bangs. It can also be applied as a serums that assist in adding extra boost of hydration, and shield from heat. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Temperature Settings How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Minimize the amount of heat you subject your hair to by using the least heat setting on your styling tools. For instance, fine or damaged hair cannot withstand high temperatures as opposed to the thick or coarse hair. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Low Heat Settings: If you have to use a blow dryer or a curling iron or a setter, then you should start from the very lowest heat and then gradually move up. This contributes to protective procedures against heat stress.
Adjust for Hair Type: Hair that has been ladies or damaged should be styled using low temperature not exceeding 300°F while those of thick and coarse hair can withstand temperatures of between 300 – 350°F.
Limiting Heat Styling How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
One should attempt to use heating appliances on hair only once or twice a week at most. Grow out your natural hair texture, and if not that, try to let your hair air-dry as often as you can probably to save your curls form much heat damage. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Air-Drying: Avoid use of blow dry as much as you can this allow natural drying of the hair. If you have to rush with the drying process, you can use a blow dryer though be sure to use it in the cool or low heat setting.
Heat-Free Styling: Relate to heatless waves, curls, and the likes, like; braid your hair for waves, use foam rollers or coil your hair into a bun for curls. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
5. Gentle Handling and Detangling
Treating your hair or the way you comb it and try to get out the tangles may also impact it’s health. This is because if the hair is roughly managed it can be broken and the wrong ways of untangling it lead to formation of split ends. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Using the Right Tools How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
While detangling wet hair comb it carefully using the wide-tooth comb to remove all the tangles. Don’t pull the hair to begin with when styling as this can lead to breakage, always begin from the tips and work your way up. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Wide-Tooth Combs: A wide tooth comb is however most appropriate to use on wet hair mainly because it is friendly on the hair strands and will not cause any breakage as it works on the tangles. Starting at the tips of the hair and gradually move up to the scalp, start to unwire any tangles.
Detangling Brushes: Other recommendations to prevent hair breakages are the use of; Special brushes meant for detangling can also be useful. When choosing the brush, always opt for the one with the soft bristles they easily run through the hair without creating a harsh drag.
Avoiding Brushing Wet Hair How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Split ends are common in wet hair because hair tends to become more brittle when wet. If you have to brush it then ensure you use a wide-tooth comb or a brush that is used in washing hair.
Avoid Fine-Tooth Combs: The fine-tooth combs, as well as, regular brushes should not be applied on the wet hair as it results in breakages. It is recommended to only use wide-tooth combs or a detangling brush that is ideal for use on wet hair. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Finger Detangling: If the hair is excessively entwined, it is advisable to start using your hand to untangle the hair before using comb or brush. This can assist to reduce the instances of breakage and also reduce the amount of time and effort needed to detangle the hair.
Gentle Handling How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Be very gentle to your hair especially when you are combing it when in a wet state. Do not rub your hair with a towel to remove water from it, instead you should gently squeeze your hair with a towel or you can preferable use an old T-shirt. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Blotting with a Towel: When washing your hair, ensure that you rub it mildly so that you do not damage the hair follicles and after that allow your hair to dry but ensure that you do not rub your hair when drying rather dry it then use a soft towel to dry your hair. Do not rub the hair with the towel because it leads to formation of pimples as a result of the friction.
Microfiber Towels: Microfiber towels are perfect to use with hair because they are softer and they can effectively absorb water compared to the normal towels. Towel your hair with a microfiber towel so that you do not dry it for a very long time.
6. How to save Your Hair from Environmental Pollutants
Exposure to very many factors in our environment including; the sun, pollution and extreme weather condition affects our hair leading to breakage and split ends. Measures to prevent hair exposure to these stressors can go a long way in keeping the hair healthy. How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Protecting Your Hair from the Sun
UV radiation generally ends up damaging the hair cuticle, thus making hair dry and brittle if one is exposed to direct sunlight for long hours. Here are some tips to protect your hair from sun damage: Here are some tips to protect your hair from sun damage: How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Wear a Hat: A wide-brimmed hat or a scarf will shield your hair from harm due to the sun’s rays. This is particularly necessary most of time when the sun is most scorching as it offers a form of shelter to the viewer.
Use UV Protection Products: You should look for hair products that have UV filters, or simply, that have the SPF on their label. These products form a layer on your hair and this helps to protect it against the ultraviolet radiation.
Protecting Against Pollution How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
Air pollution for instance will cause deposits on your hair and on your scalp resulting to dry and brittle hair and you know what, breakage. Here’s how to protect your hair from pollution: Here’s how to protect your hair from pollution:
Rinse with Cold Water: Should you even take a walk around a polluted area, wash your hair immediately with cold water to decrease the chances of accumulation of the pollutants.
Use Clarifying Shampoos: Introduce a clarifying shampoo in your hair-washing regime once in a month to give your hair a thorough washing and eliminate all the pollutants and services that remain in your hair.
Guarding Against Harsh Weather
Terms such as extremely cold or windy weather also influence hair health in that they are capable of causing hair damage. Here are some tips to protect your hair in different weather conditions: Here are some tips to protect your hair in different weather conditions:
Cold Weather: When you are outside especially during the cold season, ensure that you cover your hair with a hat or a scarf because cold and dry air affects the hair causing breakage and split ends.
Windy Conditions: During high wind, you should plait your hair or gather it into a ponytail or a bun simple to reduce pulling and rubbing on your hair and thus damage caused on your hair by high winds.
7. Avoid Chemical Overprocessing
Chemical like that which is used in coloring, perming and relaxing can cause more harm to hair and make it to split at the ends and even break. Thus, these treatments and procedures should be taken with care because they can give you the look you want.
Minimizing Chemical Damage How to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage: 7 Tips and Techniques
To reduce the risk of damage from chemical treatments, follow these guidelines:To reduce the risk of damage from chemical treatments, follow these guidelines:
Limit Frequency: Ideally chemical treatments should be done every 2 or 3 months and it is important not to use two treatments at the same time. For instance, if you dye your hair, do not try a perm or chemically relax your hair for at least some weeks after dyeing your hair.
Professional Application: Chemical treatments may be applied by anyone, but it is recommended that they by done by a stylist who will know the right products to use, how to use them and the safety measures to follow. Doing chemical treatment on your own has its consequences such as failure in the distribution of the chemicals and enhanced harm.
Choosing Gentler Alternatives
Consider gentler alternatives to traditional chemical treatments that can help you achieve your desired look with less damage:Consider gentler alternatives to traditional chemical treatments that can help you achieve your desired look with less damage:
Semi-Permanent Color: If you wish to get it dyed, choose semi permanent or demi permanent hair colors since they are not as damaging as the permanent hair colors and disappear gradually.
Natural Alternatives: Opt for healthy and safe hair dye like henna and other vegetable dyes which does not contain severe chemicals like the commercial dyes.
Post-Chemical Treatment Care
After undergoing a chemical treatment, it’s essential to take extra care of your hair to restore moisture and strength:After undergoing a chemical treatment, it’s essential to take extra care of your hair to restore moisture and strength:
Intensive Conditioning: Conditioning treatments and masks should be done at least once a week to replace the nutrients that have been lost.
Protein Treatments: Batch up your total repair treatment about twofold from what you other magnanimous protein treatment to your hair following a chemical process to reconstruct the hair shaft.
Conclusion
Proper hair care and combating split ends and hair breakage involve doing this and that. In this way, trims, proper ways of washing, conditioner usage, avoiding heat styling, handling hair gently, wearing a proper pillow cover during the night, supplying nutrients to the hair through the diet and avoiding strong chemicals and direct sunlight would help to improve the hair health.