7 Things to Avoid in Order to Prevent Split Ends ...

Prevent split ends all by avoiding making a few small mistakes! Yes, it can be that simple! It won’t help you kiss your hairstylist good bye for good but you’ll at least manage to keep your mane pretty and healthy-looking most of the time. The bad news is that no magical solution for split ends has been discovered yet but the good news is that there are tons of simple ways to prevent split ends appearing before they normally should. But, wait, did I say “simple”? Well, then you simply must avoid these:

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1. Blunt Scissors

One of the most effective ways to prevent split ends is to make sure hair cutting instruments are as sharp as they should be. That means no DIY hair cuts without proper tools and no visiting stylists who take such poor care of their tools. Blunt scissors will basically chew a piece of hair off when they should be making a clean cut and you should be able to see that clearly, by simply observing your hair in natural light.

2. Razor Cut Layers

Razor Cut Layers A lot of hair stylists have advised me against razor cut styles pointing out that razors make hair super prone to splitting and are not a really good solution to thick hair. One has even gone so far as to explain that this happens because hair gets cut at an angle which later somehow makes hair split even worse. I’d advise you to consult your stylist and see what he or she has to say about it.

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3. Over- Processing

Over- Processing Preventing split ends might sound like a mission impossible for blondes but even they have at least one great trick at their disposal. Now, I know blonde hair needs to be refreshed here and there because of the brassiness but it hardly means you have to actually DYE it! Use bleach and peroxide free toner or simply mix half a tube of dye with a tablespoon of developer and enough water to get a moderately runny mixture. Rub it into your length, leave it one for 10-15 minutes rinse out and voila! Your hair will look freshly dyed but won’t get damaged.

4. Unprotected Styling

Unprotected Styling Yeah, yeah, you’ve got it – this is a major hair crime. So major in fact that you should avoid it at all costs. Make sure you distribute the product evenly and have in mind that ends usually don’t needs as much heat as the rest of the hair which is why you should either style them last of make sure they receive a fair amount of heat protectant.

5. Daily Shampoos

Daily Shampoos Second or third day hair might be the most horrible thing in your book but it’s still better than lifeless, straw-like ends. And that’s exactly what you can expect should you continue to strip all of those precious hair oils off on daily basis. Look around, you’ll find plenty of awesome styles that work best on second day hair and do your best to incorporate this small yet meaningful change that won’t only make your hair nicer, but give you more free time to do other things.

6. Sun and Wind Exposure

Sun and Wind Exposure Ends are the most fragile part of our hair and, as such, should not be exposed to harsh elements. Secure your hair into a ponytail in winter to prevent the wind from tugging it his or that way and consider both stylish and useful accessories such as head scarves and hats to keep harmful UV rays away while you’re sunbathing.

7. Vicious Tugging

Vicious Tugging Both teasing and merciless combing can really wreak havoc on your hair, causing it to break off badly and split beyond repair. What’s even worse – I’m not talking about those neat little bottom splits that can be solved with tiny trims. I’m talking about huge tears that really call for a serious haircut. Try to keep teasing minimal in order to prevent this and make sure you’re being super patient when brushing out tangles. Pulling will not make it go faster, just rip more hair.

What is your ideal solution for split ends and do you choose to act early or prefer to wait until the first splits start showing?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

@socha where do you get sls free products?

I\'ve learned that to dry hair you should use a microfiber towel in order to splotch out the wetness from the hair.

I would never tone a blonde with more bleach. Stupid tip.

My hair is very fine and fragile but I have a lot of it and quite a bit of volume so it still looks good long. Now no matter what I do, I get splits: I cut every 3 months, never wash more than 3x a week, don\'t color it, no heat, air dry, boar brittle brush, wide tooth comb, sls free products, good nutrition and supplements, always condition, mask or oil once a week... I guess this keeps my hair shiny and healthy looking, I\'d have even more splits if I didn\'t do all that. But I just can\'t seem to avoid them. I\'m getting a long bob next week, hopefully it will split less than long hair.

I have never had split ends but I read that if you take avocados and mash them into a paste and put them on your split ends for 30min it will get rid of those bad boys!

Razor cutting does not cause split ends it just gives the cut a choppy look. Maybe the choppy ends is what your stylist considers split ends. Over processing hair does cause split ends, but not all hair colors can use your hair coloring technique a person with level 4 or lower roots can\'t mix that concoction and get a blonde color. That\'s why it\'s important to get retouched by a professional. Shampooing your hair daily can cause natural oils from being stripped from your hair, but there are specific daily shampoos available that are less harmful to the hair. Just saying... Cosmetology student

For no. 5, use dry shampoo instead of washing everyday. Works like a charm. :)

You can also use an old t-shirt to help dry your hair. Use it to squeeze the excess water from your hair. The effect is similar to using a micro-fiber towel.

The tip about not shampooing your hair every day doesn\'t apply to everyone. My hair gets very oily (I give it a day break from shampoo every now and then), and I shampoo regularly. My stylist keeps complimenting me on how healthy my hair is.

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