Read on for some tips on how to properly tend to our lengths and ends while growing your hair out:
How to Avoid Split Ends: Some Techniques
1. Get regular trims.
Yes, six to eight weeks, and yes, even if you’re growing out your hair. Or, if you’re being really stubborn about your length, get a trim as you transition into each season. Think of it as Spring Cleaning for your tresses. It’s also a prime opportunity to subtly update your look with the latest seasonal hair trend, too. Good to know: A no-nonsense trim usually lops off around one to two inches from your ends, depending on your hair’s present condition (and considering hair grows only around six inches a year, that can seem like a lot!). That said, growing hair out can indeed feel like a frustrating, one-step-forward-two-steps-back process, especially if you’ve been delinquent with care, cut and color in the past. So unless you’re ready to deal with your karma in the form of some cutting shears, prevention is the best cure. Investing in a serum that’s specially formulated to prevent frayed ends, like Suave Professionals Split End Rescue Serum, can help you avoid split ends—and all the bothersome troubleshooting that comes with dealing with them.
2. Dust your hair.
Many hairstylists employ this quick and easy trick that just dusts the excess. It’s a great technique to help you to avoid split ends but feel your locks need some cleaning up. It employs sectioning hair into taut, tightly twisted ropes and running cutting shears over the little baby strands that splay out. This means that only the frayed tips end up on the cutting room floor. Your length more or less remains the same. It’s also simple enough to learn to do on your own in a pinch! If so, do heed the basics. After washing your hair, divide damp strands into sections are around 2” thick. Then set all but one section aside with duckbill clips. Working on your free section, twist it till taut and skim your cutting shears on the strands that are sticking out of the main twist. Release the twist, and repeat the process on your remaining sections. Finally, never underestimate the power of a consistent, all-day conditioning. A leave-in conditioner that helps transform up to 92 percent of damaged ends, such as Love Beauty and Planet Smooth and Serene Argan Oil & Lavender Leave-In Smoothie Cream, makes for good reinforcements and helps you avoid split ends in the future.
