Suffering from split ends in hair? No matter how long and thick your hair is, as long as you have split ends, it will look dull and lusterless. A split end is the splitting or fraying of the hair strand into two due to various factors. It is also known as trichoptilosis – “arrangement of feathers in definite areas”. It is called so because when splitting occurs at multiple areas along a hair strand, it looks like an arrangement of feathers. They also resemble the edge of an unravelled rope. Split ends cause your hair to break off faster and impede hair growth.
Reasons for Hair Split Ends:
Hair consists of 3 parts called cuticle, cortex and medulla. The cuticle forms a protective barrier against the environment. Split ends in hair occur when the protective layer of the hair or cuticle gets damaged. Here are some reasons behind what causes split hair:(1)
- Various environmental factors like prolonged exposure to sun and pollution lead to damaged hair with split ends.
- Regular Hair treatments with harsh chemicals like perming etc. lead to brittle hair with split ends.
- Washing hair with boiling water leads to excessive drying of the hair and split ends.
- Usage of hair tools for straightening, coloring and curling your hair regularly leads to split ends of hair.
- Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies also cause weakening of hair and splitting of hair.
- Improper care and brushing of hair also cause splitting of hair.
How to Get Rid Of Split Ends: 10 Best Home Remedies:
Split ends are a regularly recurring issue. Do you have to keep on trimming your hair to treat split ends? Absolutely not. Here are 10 natural DIY home remedies for split ends which strengthen your hair internally and prevent split ends from recurring again. Read on to find out more. (2)
1. Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil, because of its composition, penetrates the hair very effectively. It prevents excessive water from being absorbed by the hair and thus swelling. It lubricates the shaft and prevents wear and tear of hair. The lauric acid, the primary fat of coconut oil has a high affinity towards hair proteins. Though it cannot repair the split ends, on the regular application, coconut oil decreases the reoccurrence of split ends significantly. (3)
Ingredients:
- 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil.
Preparation time:
- 2 Minutes
How to Prepare and Use:
- Heat the coconut oil until it is lukewarm.
- Apply the coconut oil all over your scalp, massage gently with your fingertips till absorbed.
- Leave it on throughout the night.
- Wash your hair with a mild cleanser the next morning.
How Often Should I Use?
- This can be applied every day.
2. Onion Juice with Castor Oil:
Onion juice increases hair growth, improves hair volume, fights scalp infections and reduces split ends. Castor oil penetrates deep into the scalp effectively. It also reduces the pungent smell of onion juice and smoothens out the rough hair follicles.
Ingredients:
- 1 large onion
- 2 teaspoons of castor oil
Preparation Time:
- 5-10 minutes
How to Prepare and Use:
Blend the onion to obtain a smooth paste. Strain the pulp and squeeze out as much juice as possible. Then, add 2 teaspoons of castor oil to the mixture.
Massage the mixture into your scalp and leave it for 30 minutes, then rinse it out and wash your hair with a mild cleanser.
How Often Should I Use?
- You can apply this remedy 2-3 times a week. It can take 3-5 months to produce any visible results.
2. Banana Hair Mask:
Banana has excellent moisturizing properties. It is rich in vitamin B, C and potassium, which strengthen the hair follicles and improve natural elasticity of the hair. It is known to improve manageability of your hair by smoothening out rough hair follicles in conjunction with coconut milk. And it prevents split ends by avoiding damage to the hair.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tablespoon of coconut milk
Preparation Time:
- 5 minutes
How to Prepare and Use:
- Take a bowl and mash the banana. Then add coconut milk and mix well to obtain a homogenous mixture.
- Apply this mixture into your scalp. Massage gently for 5-10 minutes and leave it on for 1 hour.
- Then wash as usual with a gentle cleanser.
How Often Should I Use?
- You can apply this mask twice a week. It can take one to two months to produce any visible results.
4. Egg Hair Mask:
Eggs contain over 20 essential nutrients which are extremely beneficial for hair growth. The protein content in eggs is high and nourishes the follicles, and its vitamin A, D and B12 promote healthy hair growth. Egg together with coconut oil and honey deep moisturizes the hair to get rid of split ends and encourage hair growth.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- 1 teaspoon of honey.
- One Egg.
Preparation Time:
- 5 minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Place the egg, coconut oil and honey in a bowl and combine them together until well combined.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp. Leave it for 20-30 minutes.
- Cleanse your hair with a gentle shampoo and let it dry naturally.
How Often Should I Use?
- Apply this mask once a week for good results.
5. Honey Hair Mask:
Honey is an excellent moisturizer and makes dry hair soft, smooth and less frizzy by binding moisture to the hair. Plus, the antiseptic properties of honey help in eliminating dandruff and soothe an itchy scalp. It prevents split ends by strengthening the hair follicles and providing hydration to the hair.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of raw honey.
- 3 tablespoons of milk.
Preparation Time:
- 5 minutes
How to Prepare and Use?
- Take the milk into a bowl. Then add raw honey and combine well to obtain a uniform mixture.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp. Massage for 5-10 minutes and let it sit for 1-2 hours.
- Then wash as usual with a mild cleanser.
How Often Should I Use?
- Use this mask twice a week for good results.
6. Avocado Hair Mask:
Avocados are a rich source of B complex vitamins, especially biotin. The high potassium and magnesium content in avocados may help seal the hair cuticle cells, thus preventing hair damage and split ends. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and helps retain moisture in the hair along with coconut oil to repair rough follicles and prevent split ends.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- ½ avocado.
Preparation Time:
- 5 minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Mash the avocado into a smooth pulp. Then add coconut oil and combine well to obtain a smooth mixture.
- Apply this mixture onto your scalp. Massage gently for 10 minutes and leave it on for 1 hour
- Then wash as usual with a gentle shampoo.
How Often Should I Use?
- Do this procedure thrice a week to obtain good results.
7. Papaya Hair Mask:
Papaya is rich in vitamin A, B and C which helps nourish the hair follicle. The enzyme papain in papaya has antimicrobial properties which prevent scalp infections. It is a rich source of antioxidants, which prevent free radical damage to the hair and reduce split ends.
Ingredients:
- 1 /2 cup of mashed papaya.
- 1 tablespoon of yoghurt.
Preparation Time:
- 5 minutes
How to Prepare and Use:
- Take a bowl and mash the papaya. Then add the yoghurt and mix well until they are well combined.
- Apply this mixture into your scalp. Massage gently for 5 minutes and let it sit for about an hour.
- Then wash as usual with a mild cleanser.
How Often Should I Use?
- Do this procedure 2-3 times a week to obtain good results.
Caution: Papaya might irritate sensitive scalps. A patch test is advised before applying it.
8. Yoghurt for Split Ends:
Yoghurt fights scalp infections and moisturizes the scalp deeply, thus reducing hair breakage. It is rich in protein, which increases the blood flow to your scalp, strengthen the hair follicle with its high vitamin B5 content and prevent damage to the hair and split ends, along with honey and coconut oil.
Ingredients:
- One teaspoon honey.
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil.
- 1 tablespoon yoghurt.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Combine all the ingredients into a smooth paste.
- Apply it onto your scalp and leave it for about 30 minutes.
- Wash with a gentle shampoo.
How Often Should I do This?
- This mask can be applied twice a week, and more frequently in winters.
9. Fenugreek Seeds:
Fenugreek seeds are rich in nutrients which not only reduce breakage of hair but also improve the texture of the hair when used regularly. It is packed with potassium which prevents premature greying of hair. It contains lecithin, which strengthens the hair follicle and moisturizes the scalp profoundly and thus prevents split ends.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of curd
- 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds
How to Prepare and Use:
- Soak the fenugreek seeds in water for 3-4 hours.
- Blend the seeds into a smooth mixture.
- Mix the curd and the fenugreek seed paste together.
- Apply it onto the scalp and massage for 5-10 minutes with your fingertips.
- Leave it on for an hour or two and wash with a gentle cleanser.
How Often Should I do This?
- Do this once a week. Results are visible in 2-3 months.
10. Aloe Vera Hair Mask:
Aloe vera is very well known for its moisturizing and conditioning properties. It contains nutrients that add volume and protect it from pollution and sun damage. And it helps in removing the dead skin cells on the scalp and reduces itching and flaking of the scalp along with lemon juice. It improves the strength of the hair follicle, smoothens it out and prevents split ends.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
How to Prepare and Use:
- Combine the aloe vera gel and the lemon juice in a bowl.
- Apply the mixture onto the scalp and massage well for half an hour.
- Leave it on for an hour and wash with a gentle shampoo.
How Often Should I do This?
- Apply this hair mask 2-3 times a week and see results in 2-3 months.
Split ends are an extremely annoying and recurring problem which can ruin the entire look of your hair, however long it may be. Don’t worry though, it is never too late. Make sure you try these easy yet effective home remedies for split hair and let us know which one benefitted you the most!!
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Do Split Ends Stop Hair Growth?
Answer: No. The hair continues to grow despite having split ends. But unless corrected, the damage will extend along the hair strand and increase breakage of hair.
2. Does Trimming Split End Help with Hair Growth?
Answer: No. Trimming hair only eliminates the split ends and prevents further breakage of hair. But it does not directly contribute to hair growth.
3. Do Split Ends Increase Hair Loss?
Answer: If left untreated for a long time, split ends lead to increased breakage of hair which ultimately leads to hair loss.
Split ends are an extremely annoying and recurring problem which can ruin the entire look of your hair, however long it may be. Don’t worry though, it is never too late. Make sure you try these easy yet effective home remedies for split hair and let us know which one benefitted you the most!!
