Let’s face it – split ends suck! Ugh. That annoying moment when you’re running your hands through your luscious locks, only to find a load of pesky split ends rearing their not-so-lovely heads. A tell-tale sign that you might have slightly overdone it with the straightener or brush (sigh).
Let’s get down to it, split ends - or trichoptilosis - are the splitting or fraying of the hair shaft. When the hair has been compromised somewhat and lost that elasticity it just tears. Ouch! A perennial beauty bother, they occur when your hair splinters due to damage to the oldest part of the hair shaft. The only real way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. Because - much like trying to repair a broken nail - once a hair is split, there's nothing that can magically fuse the pieces back together again forever. But whilst all that pulling, heating and colouring your hair into oblivion can cause split ends, it doesn’t need to ruin your day. There’s a way to fight this dreaded foe and avoid losing length with an expensive trip to the hairdressers.
Split end treatment
That damage and breakage is caused by heat treatments, chemical treatments, colouring, dryness, and just plain old wear-and-tear. Split ends are a result of damage, so the main way to reduce them is to reduce damage to the hair. Sounds simple right? Your ultimate split end repair regime starts here…
If you’re looking for a quick-fire remedy on how to treat split ends, start by minimising the damage. That’s right, stop the split. Take a look at your haircare regime… if yours lacks the ‘care’ part you’ve got the answer. The first steps in any hair regime are often when unintentional hair crimes are committed leading to dry, damaged tips. The ultimate split end remedy is simply changing up your bad habits.
Everyday brushing can be the most overlooked but inadvertent causes of split ends as each stroke risks damage to the oldest parts of your hair. If your hair is anywhere below your chin to mid back, the ends can be as much as six to ten years old. If you're unsure if you’re being too rough with the brush simply listen to the sound is makes as it glides through your hair. If it's virtually silent, you're doing it right. If you hear a scraping or – eek – a ripping sound, you’re doing too much. But you didn’t need us to tell you that right? Hair is fragile, so treat it gently in your daily interactions, and certainly don’t believe any old wives tales that tell you to brush your hair 100 times a day. Rather, brush from the ends up towards the roots, gently untangling as you go. If your brush meets resistance, stop, remove it, and start a little further down.
Split end repair with the right haircare products
Once you notice your ends splitting, it can be hard not to see them. Poking out of ponytails or ruining your otherwise neat up-do, they seem to be everywhere you look. If your ends are giving you grief, and you want to know how to get rid of split ends at home, give them a tonne of TLC with shampoos and conditioners that proactively work against further damage. If they go untreated, the split can literally run up the length of the hair, giving it a fluffy, wispy silhouette that literally nothing but a mega-chop will fix. Sounds pretty dire right?
First, after shampooing, use a hydrating conditioner that will heal and seal those dry and damaged ends. Aussie SOS Kiss Of Life Conditioner works to replenish dry hair, while providing lasting, deep hydration from root to tip. Use this every single time you wash. No quibbles, no opt-out clause guys. Even better, if you have more time, put your hair health first and indulge in a weekly mask ritual that will restore your sad and straggly tresses with inner nourishment. Salvage those strands with Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor. Our deep treatment conditioner is even enriched with Australian Macadamia Nut Oil Extract. This iconic super repair formula works wonders in three miraculous minutes, ensuring the hair is fortified from within.
Rough drying hair involves using heat which can dry out strands and lead to splitting, so if you really want to protect the hair and avoid split ends, apply a leave-in conditioner or heat protector after towel-drying to protect your tresses from heat-styling. Aussie SOS Heat Saviour Conditioning Spray acts as protective barrier against the damaging effects of every type of heat damage. Split ends are difficult to repair, so prevent the need for a split ends remedy by taking preventative steps when drying and styling.
Wherever possible air dry until your locks are up to 50-80% dry and then use the hairdryer to create shape and smooth the cuticles. When wielding your hairdryer, aim the nozzle at your roots and the mid-lengths of your hair, avoiding your ends so you don't burn them, adding extra terror to your tips.
Have you ever noticed those temperature dials on your straightener and curling iron? Now’s the time to use them, as the higher the heat, the more damage you’re inflicting on your poor ends. Try lowering the temperature to see what point you can still achieve the look you love, but without subjecting your tresses to torturous temperatures. If you still notice any frazzled ends once you've finished styling your hair, smooth frayed cuticles with a dab of shine serum. Aussie Mega Smooth Hair Oil adds a little polish to dry ends to make your hair look, and feel, like silk.
The ultimate split end treatment is a constant drip-drip feed of conditioning. Essentially, hydrate the hell out of them and your tips will thank you for it. Try a mixture of Aussie 3 Miracle Oil Reconstructor and Scent-sational Conditioning Mist Smooth, for the ideal dose of daily hydration.
Can split ends be repaired? Sadly, not forever, but until you can get to the salon they can be healed. Split ends, beware – we’re coming for ya!
For more Aussie hair hacks on how to repair damaged hair, take a look at our little guide. It’s chokka block (that’s Australian for full) of helpful hair tips for brighter, bouncier locks.