Especially if you’re trying to grow your hair out, split ends can be such a pain. They make your locks look dry and unhealthy, and if you typically style your hair straight, it’ll never look as sleek as it could. All you want is that perfect, freshly trimmed look—and we feel that, because we’ve all had split ends at some point. But never fear: There is a way to repair that damage and prevent it from happening again. Read on to find out what split ends are, how to prevent split ends and how to get rid of them for good using L’Oréal Paris’s Dream Lengths hair line.
How split ends happen
When your hair strand frays and then separates, that’s a split end, and it happens as a result of damage: from your hot tools, from tying your hair up too much, from colouring or perming. Other things like drying it too aggressively with a towel or using a heavy hand when you’re brushing it can cause your hair to break at the ends, too. If left alone, that splitting can creep farther up your hair shaft and make it more susceptible to even further damage and, of course, more split ends.
How to prevent split ends
The best defence is a good offence, which means stopping split ends before they start. Here are four haircare adjustments that can help you do just that:
Comb, don’t brush.
When your hair is wet, it’s more vulnerable to breakage. So, first up, don’t rub it with a towel; just gently squeeze or pat it instead. Then, consider swapping your brush out for a wide-tooth comb. It’ll be a lot gentler on your wet hair and won’t cause nearly as much breakage as, say, a paddle brush would. If you really can’t live without a brush, consider one without a handle. It causes less stress on your hair because you’ll have more control over the brush and you won’t be able to put as much pressure on your hair.
If you must brush, brush from bottom to top.
Again, if you’re really keen on brushing your hair, rethinking the way you do it can help prevent split ends. Particularly when your hair is wet, start at the bottom and work your way up. Instead of dragging your hair downwards and adding more hair to any knots or tangles at the bottom (where there are typically more of them), you’ll work through them first.
Turn everything down.
There is truly no need to crank your hot tools up to 450 degrees, and even if you get quicker results, it will cause a lot more damage in the long run. Instead, keep them all below 350 degrees and work in smaller sections. If you can pull it off, try ditching your blow-dryer and flat iron altogether and sticking with damage-free air-drying instead.
Pick up a silk pillow case.
Regular cotton pillowcases can cause a lot of friction—and thus split ends—while you sleep. Swapping yours out for a silk one will allow your hair to slip around more easily on the smoother surface.
How to get rid of split ends
The only way to actually get rid of split ends is to cut them off above the breaking point. So, if it’s getting really bad, book a haircut ASAP. While you wait for your hair appointment, however, there are products you can use to both conceal and treat your damaged hair. The number one thing is to moisturize your locks and provide them with the nutrients they need while you’re shampooing and conditioning. L’Oréal Paris Dream Lengths Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Dream Lengths Conditioner can help. They contain keratin and castor oil, so you’ll be left with shinier, nourished hair that’s stronger and looks less damaged. In addition to a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, using a deep conditioning treatment like L’Oréal Paris Dream Lengths Savior Mask is a must. Containing a blend of rich, hydrating oils and vitamins, this mask will help to strengthen and repair damaged hair. Swap out your conditioner for this mask once a week and to give your mane an extra boost of nutrients.
When you’re finished washing your hair, add even more of those nourishing ingredients with L’Oréal Paris Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream. Apply a few pumps to your wet hair, distributing it evenly throughout. It’s also a great pre-heat-styling treatment, as it will help protect your hair up to 180 degrees. Your hair will look sleek, shiny and split-end free, which hopefully means you won’t want to tie it up with a damage-causing elastic.