i hate, hate, HATE

SPLIT ENDS!! GROSS!

I'm off to get a trim, but here are some further tips i found online for preventing and treating split ends. Do you all have any other tips?

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.

1. Avoiding Split Ends – 11 Tips and Techniques:
   Get your hair cut or trimmed regularly – (at least every 6 weeks). Not trimming your hair regularly is possibly the main cause of split ends. Prevention is better than a cure! The solution to split ends is to act quickly: don’t skip the trip to the salon.
2. Use professional hair care 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.
3. Deep condition your hair every week, if possible and especially if your hair is prone to splitting, chemically treated or treated by ceramic straighteners. Conditioning is mandatory every time you have a chemical.
4. Do shampoo your hair after a workout or strenuous exercise. The salt from perspiration will erode your hair. If you work out a few times per week, consult your stylist for your particular needs.
5. Protect your hair from extreme weather. Wear a hat on sunny days and keep hair well moisturized in the dry winter months.
6. Try to avoid using heated hair appliances as much as possible! If you are using them anyway, make sure to protect your precious locks with a protective product.
7. Towel drying is not good if you want to avoid splitting hair. You should blot your hair and then carefully comb it through with a wide toothed comb.
8. Avoid too much brushing and combing. Brushing hair when it is still wet is one of the most important causes for split ends because wet hair stretches by as much as 25%. Never hesitate to Invest in quality combs and real bristle brushes. When hair is wet try to use a wide-toothed comb.
9. Don’t ever attempt to give yourself the eighties look; exaggerated backcombing will definitely give you split ends!
10. Elastic bands and all sorts of other hair accessories can damage your hair. Avoid using uncovered elastic bands since these often pull out hair when being removed. Other accessories will damage or weaken the ends of the hair.
11. DIY (do-it-yourself) hair trims. If in doubt – leave it to a professional. Take small sections of hair and carefully twist them in a gentle downward motion. Any split ends will automatically stick out. Snip away any split ends you spot with sharp scissors. Don’t cut right through; cut at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the split. A split end will split the hair all the way up to the scalp, so snip it as soon as you spot it.

Pic and tips from here!