Split ends and healthy hair. Part 2.

Now that I've talked about damaged hair and split ends, let's discuss what you can do about it! (If you missed Part 1, you can find it here). First of all, I recommend avoiding or limiting the hair-hazards listed in Part 1. Aside from this, there are a few things you can do to help repair and nourish your already-damaged hair.

As for split ends, unfortunately, the only way to get rid of them is to actually cut the ends off altogether. There are a lot of products out there that claim to repair the tip and heal the ends- this actually cannot be done. Certain conditioners can temporarily merge the splits together and create the look of healthy hair. Typically, this doesn't last longer than a few hours or a day at most.

Growing out your hair depends on regular trims to get rid of these dry and split ends. When a hair is split, it can continue to split all the way up the hair shaft and damage the length more than you'd like, if left unattended. NEVER pull apart your split ends! This just weakens the ends and thins them out... you'll never grow your hair out this way. In fact, you'll find your hair stays the same length, or gets shorter by doing so. The best thing for your hair is to trim them off, typically recommended for every 6 weeks or so. If getting your ends cut seems like the opposite thing you'd want to do to grow out your hair.. trust me, getting rid of splits will keep the hair strong enough to keep growing.

However! For events and nights out, you can temporarily repair the split ends before your next scheduled trim. Follow this routine to fake perfect, healthy hair:

-Shampoo your hair with a moisturizing shampoo

-Condition with a moisturizing conditioner, making sure to slather the ends where your hair is the driest.

-Rinse out with cool water, to close up the shafts and lock in the moisture. Makes hair extra shiny!

-Dry off hair a bit, and while it's still damp, add a leave-in conditioner. I especially love Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioner which I typically pick up at Walmart or Target. I have used this for years and do not work with or for the Garnier company, it's simply the best that I've tried thus far. Plus it makes your hair smell extra nice :)

-Detangle your hair with a comb- wide tooth is the best. (Never brush wet hair! This is very damaging).

-Add a few drops of shine serum and work into your hair, again focusing much of the serum onto the ends.

-Blow dry your hair on the coolest setting with a brush or paddle. Having it cooler will dry it slower than the hot air would, but is much healthier and less damaging. If you have a diffuser for your blow drier, use this as well.. it's extra protection from damage. If you don't have one, try to invest in one soon!

-Make sure that your ends are straight, as curls, spikes, frizz, and waves tend to make the splits more apparent. Using a flat iron, straighten all your hair, or just the last 1 1/2 inches of your hair.

-Set hair with a hair spray that has silk in its ingredients list.

-And voila! Your shiny, healthy looking hair is ready to impress.

Split ends and healthy hair. Part 1.

First of all, split ends are a problem most women have to deal with sooner or later.

The trouble with split ends is that they damage ends of the hair shaft and can increase the damage to the entire hair strand if not cared for soon enough. (Think rips in panty hose. Once the hole is there, if you don't mend it, it'll run bigger and bigger until you can't even wear them anymore. Same concept: these little breaks in your hair can get bigger with time too).

Unfortunately, the only cure for split ends is to actually cut them off. But we can prevent them if we take the proper precautions. First let's take a look at what causes them.

Heat damage from styling tools is a huge part of this. Blow driers, straighteners, curlers, and triple barrel wavers can style and dry your hair by heating up the hair shafts and therefore shaping them. The heat is very drying and damaging. To help with this, try and cut down on styling by letting your hair air dry, or by investing in a heat-protecting product to apply before hand. They have sprays, mousses, and gels, and even shampoos and conditioners to protect your hair from breaking and losing elasticity due to heat. Check out my favorite in John Freida hair care.

Environmental damage from wind, cold, heat, and dryness in the air can be a problem too. Did you know that UV damage doesn't just affect your skin? It penetrates the hair shafts, too, and fries them! In the summertime, wear hats or use UV protective styling products, such as this complex from Fekkai.

In the wintertime, be sure to cover hair and add moisturizing products to your regime. My favorite is the Dove Daily Moisture Therapy Replenishing Mist.

Improper detangling techniques like cheap combs or brushes, using your fingers, or anything else that snaps or rips your hair. Make sure to invest in soft bristle brushes like boar hair, and wide tooth combs. Never brush wet hair! When your hair is wet, it loses elasticity that it would normally have when it's dry, and can cause unwanted damage. Combing might take a little longer, but it's worth it.

Trimming with inferior scissors can cause uneven cuts in the bottom of the shaft, and could end up damaging your ends as much-or more- than they were already.

Overwashing hair. Overwashing has long been overlooked. It's actually not healthy to wash your hair every day. If your hair is used to it, it might be uncomfortable to go without, as your hair will seem greasy or oily when you do not. However, you have trained you hair to react this way, and you can reverse it. Try switching to washing your hair every other day, so you are not constantly depleating your hair and scalp of its natural oils. You'll find that within a week, going a day without washing won't make your hair greasy at all. It will still have a nice, clean look to it, as your hair no longer has to over-produce sebum and oils like it used to.