Split ends have been a recurring and consistent problem for many. Shiny, long, healthy hair is everyone’s dream, but split ends are one challenge some should overcome to achieve.
Dry or even damaged hair can often lead to split ends, and once they crop up, one way to deal with them is to trim them. There are a few home remedies for split ends you can try to prevent split ends and encourage healthy hair growth.
What are Split Ends and How Do They Appear?
Split ends are when the tips of your hair are damaged and frayed. They’re weak and brittle and start tearing up at the end, moving up if ignored.
That’s one reason many trim off 1/4 inch above the split ends to prevent further the problem.
Causes of Split Ends
- There are many possible causes for split ends, but the major ones include:
- Artificial hair colors and chemical-based products, including shampoos, conditioners, gels, hair styling products, hair colors, and bleaches, can damage the natural hair structure and leave it dry and damaged. Dry and damaged hair is prone to breakage and split ends.
- Excessive exposure to heat from either sun exposure or using a blow dryer, curling road, straightener, or other heat styling tools or treatments. Excessive heat can strip hair’s natural oils and destroy keratin and protein bonds, leaving it vulnerable, dry, and damaged, so hair is prone to breakage and split ends.
- Washing hair frequently or combing when hair is wet can leave it dry, damaged, and prone to breakage and split ends.
- Hereditary reasons could be a factor. Also, some have genetically very thick hair that becomes thicker and weaker than usual and prone to breakage and split ends.
- Exposure to chlorine or hard water can cause dryness, making hair prone to split ends.
- Exposure to pollutants, dust, and heat can leave hair vulnerable and prone to split ends.
- Using hot water to wash hair can cause cuticles to rise, leaving your hair prone to dryness and breakage.
- Lastly, certain health conditions, medications, and nutritional deficiencies can lead to weak and brittle hair that is prone to split ends.
Best Home Remedies for Split Ends
Split ends are a repetitive issue, but the good news is that there are effective remedies for split ends you could try. They’re not only easy to prepare, but they’re also natural and can work wonders on your hair.
Once split ends crop up, the best thing you can do is a temporary fix – trimming hair immediately to prevent the split ends from furthering the strands. Then you work on improving your hair health and preventing split ends because the truth is that’s the only real solution – prevention.
Let’s look at a few remedies for split ends that can help prevent split ends and soothe dry and frayed hair.
Vegan Aloe Vera Mask
Rich in niacin, phytonutrients, and folic acid, aloe vera helps combat and prevent heat-induced damage. Coconut oil helps restore lost protein and nourish hair.
Lemon juice helps restore lost shine and lustre, while blue agave nectar helps moisturize your hair.
Ingredients
Aloe Vera Gel – 1/4 Cup
Coconut Oil – 1 Tbsp.
Lemon Juice – 2 Tbsp.
Blue Agave Nectar – 1 Tsp.
Instructions
Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
Usage
Apply the hair mask on your hair and scalp and let it sit for an hour.
Make sure to cover from roots to tips.
It’s a good idea to divide your hair and cover each section for maximum coverage.
Notes
Do this treatment twice or thrice a week for best results.
You can add a few drops of soothing lavender or chamomile essential oil.
Protein Rich Egg Mask
Eggs are the go-to ingredient for many hair issues, especially the ones related to hair damage and dryness. Eggs yolks are protein-rich, and help repair damaged hair and combat split ends.
It is believed eggs can repair hair and restore hair health without trimming the split ends.
Ingredients
Eggs Yolks – 1 (or) 2
Almond Oil – 2 Tbsps.
Olive Oil – 2 Tbsps.
Honey – 1 Tbsp.
Instructions
Whisk the yolks and slowly add in the oils and honey.
Once combined, your hair mask is ready for use.
Usage
Apply the hair mask from root to tips, covering the split ends literally.
Applying this mask to damp hair is a good idea – spray a little water or soothing hydrosols like rose or lavender hydrosol.
Cover your head with a shower cap and let it sit for an hour or two.
Rinse off with lukewarm water and wash off your hair.
Air dry and style as usual.
Notes
You can do this once or twice a week.
You can use one egg yolk or a maximum of 2 for this recipe.
You can add a ripe banana or avocado for added hydration and nourishment.
Consider rinsing off with apple cider vinegar to clarify and restore hair’s pH and shine.
Vegan Onion Mask
This vegan onion mask is a natural treatment to nurture and strengthen hair to prevent and combat split ends.
Ingredients
Onion Juice – 1/4 Cup
Olive Oil – 1 Tbsp.
Coconut Oil – 2 Tbsps.
Argan Oil – 1 Tsp.
Instructions
Extract juice from fresh onions – shallots are better, though big onions work too.
Add in the oils and stir to combine.
Your hair mask is ready for use.
Usage
Apply on your hair and scalp and let it sit for an hour. Since onions have cooling properties, you could leave it for 30 minutes if you’re wary.
Rinse and wash off with herbal hair wash powder or shampoo.
Air dry and style as usual.
Notes
You can do this treatment once a week.
To nurture hair, consider rinsing off with a moisturizing and nourishing rice water rinse.
Lentils Mask
Rich in fibre and nutrients like iron, folic acid, phosphorus, etc. Folic acid is responsible for transporting oxygen from the blood to hair follicles, improving hair health.
Ingredients
Black Gram – 1/2 Cup
Fenugreek Seeds – 1 Tbsp.
Yogurt – As needed
Instructions
You can soak the black gram and fenugreek seeds and grind them to a coarse paste along with yogurt, or use coarse powder and make a thick paste using yogurt.
Your hair mask is ready for use.
Usage
Apply on your hair and scalp, covering the tips – especially the split ends liberally.
Cover your head with a shower cap and let it sit for an hour before washing off.
Use a natural and mild shampoo and air dry your hair.
Notes
You can do this once a week till your hair health improves.
You can also use coconut yogurt for this vegan recipe.
Other Home Remedies You Can Try
You can apply a mask made of papaya and yogurt at least once a week to combat and prevent split ends.
You can apply a banana hair mask to combat dryness and frizz and prevent split ends.
Deep conditioning and nourishing oil massages, especially using the likes of Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, etc., can help a great deal in improving hair health and preventing split ends. It also temporarily masks the split ends and combats dryness, leaving you with lustrous and shiny hair.
Consider using hair rinses to nourish and protect hair. Chamomile rinses, apple cider vinegar rinses, and beer rinses are great choices to prevent or combat dryness, frizz, or split ends.
Tips That Can Help You Prevent Frequent Split Ends
- Frequently washed hair strands tend to be dehydrated. It’s a good idea to wash your hair twice a week and at most thrice.
- Use a hair mask once a week to condition, nourish, and moisturize your hair. A hair mask can improve scalp and hair health. When you keep your hair healthy, you can prevent split ends.
- In your hair mask recipes, you can use ingredients like honey, eggs, yogurt, coconut milk, banana, etc., to nurture and nourish your hair. They’re also great for dry, frayed, and frizzy hair.
- Egg hair masks are great for replenishing lost protein and returning hair to health. Honey hair masks are great for nourishing and moisturizing hair and preventing dryness.
- Make oiling a regular part of your hair routine. Oiling replenishes natural oil levels in hair and scalp, nourishes hair follicles, and helps keep hair strong and healthy.
- Consider using moisturizing oils like olive oil for your hair. Moisturizing oils can keep dryness at bay, thus preventing split ends.
- Avoid using heat and styling treatments or tools. They leave your hair shaft dry and frayed, leading to split ends.
- Consider using sun protection when stepping out during scorching sun hours. You could even wear a scarf or a wrap to protect your hair.
- Consider having a healthy diet that includes all nutrients. Keeping hair healthy can prevent split ends.
- Address any nutrient deficiencies or health concerns that could trigger hair fall or cause split ends.
- Consider consulting a specialist to identify the root cause of persistent issues that can cause hair issues that can lead to split ends.
- Wash hair with mild and gentle, preferably natural shampoo, and use natural hair care products to minimize hair damage.
- Embrace protective hairstyles and avoid tight hairstyles that harm your hair.
Wrap It Up
Try the home remedies for split ends and see how they work out. You can tweak the recipes to suit your requirements and tastes, so the recipes are customized for you. That’s the best part of DIY, isn’t it?
Don’t have time for DIY? No worries, we have your back with a range of premium vegan hair care cosmetics from Vitamins Revive. Do check out their online store to learn more about their products.
Let us know how these home remedies for split ends turn out and how you liked the results. If you made any changes and loved it, share it with us.
Feel free to write back to us with any questions, concerns, queries, and requests. We love hearing from you.
