What Are Split Ends? Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Split ends are pretty much what they sound like — areas where repeated damage causes the ends of your hair to split. Over time, split ends can give your hair a frizzy-looking or feathery appearance.

What are split ends caused by? Dry hair is more prone to splits than hair that holds adequate moisture. Anything that dries out your hair or damages the cuticle (the outermost layer of a hair strand) can contribute to split ends. Some potential causes include:

• Extreme temperatures

• Chemicals in hair products and treatments

• Physical damage from friction or heat styling

• Certain underlying medical conditions

Some of the hair care habits you might think are helping your hair health — like frequent brushing or blow-drying — could actually be contributing to the development of split ends.

This guide dives into the potential causes of split ends and ways to prevent them. We’ll also look at how to get rid of the split ends you already have — but the best treatment is always prevention.

Split ends are when the ends of your hair break apart. The medical term for split ends is trichoptilosis.

When the tip of a strand becomes frayed, it can split into two sections, sometimes forming a Y shape. If it’s pulled or rubbed the wrong way, the fray can continue splitting all the way up the hair shaft.

Imagine a piece of plastic ribbon with a slit on one end. Now think about what might happen if you pulled the tips of the slit in opposite directions — you’d end up with a damaged, virtually useless ribbon.

Signs and symptoms of split ends:

• Visibly split or frayed ends of hair (possibly appearing Y-shaped)

• Rough or uneven hair ends

• Sparse-looking hair at its ends (possibly fuller toward the top)

• Dullness near the ends of strands

• Increased hair breakage when combing or brushing

You might also notice that your comb or brush frequently gets stuck in tangles near the ends of your hair.

The short answer is no. It’s best to avoid pulling out damaged hair or pulling up at the split tips of a split end. This can destruct the hair follicle and make the lengths of your hair weaker and thinner.

Split ends occur when hair’s protective outer layer (the cuticle) becomes damaged and frayed. Damage to the hair cuticle leads to the hair shaft splitting into two or more strips, separating the strand partway up the length.

Over time, these splits can get worse, similar to how a small hole in a stocking grows over time with repeated stress.

Split ends can result from a combination of physical, environmental, and chemical factors that weaken the hair shaft.

Physical Damage Resulting in Split Ends

Anything that causes repeated friction on hair can lead to damage and breakage. This includes:

• Excessive brushing or combing. Overbrushing your hair or being too rough with a comb can stress the hair shaft, leading to breakage and split ends. For example, aggressively pulling your comb through your hair if it gets stuck in a tangle.

• Heat-styling tools. Frequent use of blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, or other hot tools can weaken the hair’s cuticle and reach the cortex (the second layer in the hair shaft). Over time, this may make your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.

• Tight hairstyles. Hairstyles like ponytails or braids that pull tightly on the hair can create stress points where it’s more prone to splitting. It can also tug at the roots of your hair and cause hair loss. This condition is medically known as traction alopecia.

Environmental Factors Contributing to Split Ends

Exposure to certain environmental factors can contribute to hair dryness that may make it more prone to damage. This includes:

• Sun exposure. Prolonged exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays can degrade the proteins in your hair, making it dry and brittle. Weakened hair and resulting split ends might be partially caused by changes to lipids (fatty substances that help hair maintain strength and elasticity) from sun exposure.

• Pollution. Dust, smoke, and other pollutants can settle on your hair. Pollution has been associated with structural degradation of hair — in other words, weakened, brittle strands.

• Extreme weather conditions. High humidity, strong winds, and cold, dry temperatures can strip moisture from the hair, making it more susceptible to split ends.

Chemical Treatments Associated With Split Ends

Some chemicals found in hair care products can contribute to dryness and split ends. To prevent split ends, you might want to avoid:

• Hair coloring and bleaching: Bleach and permanent hair dye alter hair’s structure, weakening the cuticle and leaving it prone to splitting.

• Perming and relaxing. Perming and relaxing treatments involve breaking down hair bonds (the connections that give hair structure and texture) to make it easier to shape. This can result in weakened hair and possibly split ends.

Poor Hair Care Practices That Might Contribute to Split Ends

Hair care habits that contribute to the development of split ends include:

• Infrequent trimming. Hair naturally experiences wear and tear over time. Without regular trims, damaged ends are more likely to split. How often to trim your hair depends on your hair type. Some people may want to do it every six to eight weeks, while others might only need a haircut once a year.

• Using the wrong products. Showering with very hot water or lathering up with harsh shampoos (like those with sulfates) can strip the natural oils from your hair, making it dry and prone to breakage.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Split Ends

Your diet plays a role in making sure your hair gets all the essential nutrients it needs. Not getting enough nutrients can lead to compromised hair quality or even hair loss.

Some essential nutrients that play a role in supporting hair health:

• Protein

• Iron

• Zinc

• Niacin (vitamin B3)

• Fatty acids

• Selenium

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin E

• Folic acid (folate)

• Biotin (vitamin B7)

See our blog to learn more about foods to eat for healthy hair.

Underlying Medical Disorders and Split Ends

Some underlying medical conditions are associated with split ends. These conditions include:

• Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a component of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by compulsive hair pulling. Frequent plucking of hair may contribute to hair damage and split ends.

• Clouston syndrome. Clouston syndrome is a genetic condition that affects skin and hair. It can make hair sparse and brittle.

• Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome. Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder that can cause many symptoms, such as thin and sparse scalp hair and facial deformities.

Split ends can appear in various forms. They’re sometimes (informally) classified as:

• Classic split. The hair shaft splits into two, forming a Y shape. This is the most common type of split end.

• Incomplete split. A small tear forms along the edge of the hair shaft, signaling early-stage damage.

• Tree split. Several branches emerge from a single hair strand, pointing to extreme wear and tear.

• Feather split. Multiple splits form along the same hair strand, resembling a feather. This is often caused by prolonged damage.

• Knots. Knots near the ends of hair can be one of the first signs of damage, especially if you have curly hair.

• Thinning. Instead of seeing a split, you may notice thinning hair strands near the ends.

Healthy hair generally looks shiny and has a smooth texture. It also tends to be strong and resilient to breaking.

Having split ends often gives your hair a lackluster and frizzy appearance. It doesn’t necessarily mean your hair is unhealthy, though it’s likely a sign you’re due for a trim.

Split ends are more of a problem for those with long hair versus short hair since the hair has been exposed to the environment longer.

Our guide has expert tips for creating a healthy hair care routine.

Prevention is the best treatment for split ends. Why? Once your hair is damaged, it can’t repair itself since new growth comes from the roots and not the ends.

How to Fix Split Ends

The only way to completely get rid of split ends is to remove the damaged hair. That said, some other hair treatments may at least help you conceal their appearance.

Getting Regular Trims

The only permanent solution to remove split ends is to trim them. A professional hairstylist can help determine how much hair needs to be cut off from the ends to remove the damaged hair.

Learn more about how fast hair grows in our blog.

Using Split End Menders

Certain products temporarily bind split ends together, improving hair’s appearance. However, these aren’t permanent fixes and wash out over time.

Does a Mayonnaise Hair Mask Have Any Benefits for Frizz or Split Ends?

It’s possible a mayo mask could help reduce frizzy hair and flyaways for folks with curly and wavy hair. Theoretically, this DIY treatment might also seal in moisture and smooth the cuticle, which could help with split ends. But the current evidence is mostly anecdotal.

Preventing split ends is easier than trying to treat them once they form.

Here are some strategies to help you maintain healthy, split end-free hair:

• Regular trims. Scheduling regular trims ensures damaged ends are removed while preventing splits from traveling further up the hair shaft. As mentioned, some people might want to go every couple of months, while others could go six months or a year between trims.

• Gentle handling. Avoiding aggressive combing and brushing can help reduce friction on your hair. A wide-tooth comb can help reduce tangling. It’s also best to detangle wet hair before brushing to minimize breakage.

• Minimized heat exposure. Limiting heat-styling tools and applying a heat-protectant spray when styling can help prevent dryness and damage. Air-dry your hair most days, if possible. When you do reach for a hair dryer, it’s best to use the lowest heat setting.

• Hydration and conditioning. Using conditioner after every shampoo can help your hair strands maintain their moisture. A weekly deep conditioner or hair mask can help restore moisture and prevent dryness and damage. Leave-in conditioners and serums can provide an added layer of protection against environmental damage.

• Protective hairstyles. Wearing loose hairstyles can reduce stress on hair shafts. You might also consider using a satin or silk pillowcase to minimize friction and help prevent damage while sleeping.

• Safeguarding against environmental stressors. Protecting hair against sunlight, harsh winds, cold air, and heat can help it retain moisture. You can wear hats or scarves and use products with UV protection. Additionally, wearing a swimming cap can help protect your hair from chlorine in pools.

• Balanced diet. Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help you support your overall hair health with the essential nutrients it needs.

• Hair vitamins and supplements. If you’re struggling to get enough nutrients through your diet, you may benefit from a supplement like Hers Biotin Build multivitamin gummies.

Do hair vitamins work? Read our blog for insight.

Split ends are sections at the ends of your hair that become frayed from damage.

Here’s the TL;DR on split ends:

• Split ends can develop due to a combination of factors, such as friction, environmental stressors like sun exposure, medical conditions, and chemicals in hair products and treatments.

• The only way to completely get rid of split ends is by cutting off the damaged sections of your hair — in other words, a hair trim.

• Getting your hair trimmed regularly can help remove split ends before they become noticeable and prevent further damage.

If you’re dealing with hair loss or damage, consider our Complete Hair Kit. It combines the best of all worlds to promote regrowth, fullness, and healthy, strong strands.