After a relaxing summer holiday with lots of sun and seawater, her hair often feels dull and lifeless. It is difficult to comb and has split ends, which get higher and higher over time. In the end, only a haircut will help. To effectively prevent this common healthcare problem, it is important to know the causes in advance to avoid it.
The most common causes of split ends
Chemical hair treatments Chemical hair colors as well as perms and bleaching damage the hair structure. The open hair shaft of the porous hair fiber promotes dry and brittle hair, which is prone to breakage and split ends. Instead of chemical hair coloring, prefer natural hair coloring for vibrant, natural color and extra volume.
Aggressive substances in shampoos
The quality of aggressive substances determines the caring properties of a shampoo. Conventional shampoos are based on skin-irritating, drying agents such as sodium laureth sulfate. They destroy the protective lipid layer of the healthy hair fiber, irritate and dry out the scalp. After a prolonged application of such shampoos, your dull hair tends to break and split ends. Unfortunately, aggressive substances have also become established in certified organic shampoos – if only for the cost. Sodium Cocosulphate, the main surfactant in almost all organic shampoos, is of natural origin, but is nevertheless known to be irritating to sensitive skin, dehydrating, and making hair brittle and prone to split ends.
Problematic ingredients like silicones and quats
Most conventional shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments contain silicones and/or quats (quaternary/quaternary ammonium compounds/QAVs). These mineral oil products envelop the hair fiber like a film for easier combing, a smooth and shiny look - in the beginning. However, with long-term application, silicones and quats seal the hair surface with the well-known build-up effect. Urgently necessary care products do not reach the swollen, damaged hair fiber. In addition, silicones and quats are not biodegradable. After showering, they reach the groundwater via wastewater, which accumulates in our ecosystem.
Heat applications
Give your hair a break from straightening and curling irons and hair dryers as often as possible. Excessive heat is pure hair stress and a real hair end killer. Extreme heat roughens the surface of the hair shaft and promotes brittle and frizzy hair. So let your hair air dry as often as possible.
External environmental influences
In the summer, intensive UV rays, chlorine and salt water are hair-damaging factors. In winter, it is the constant change between dry heating air inside and wet, cold outside temperatures as a risk for hair breakage and split ends.
How to prevent split ends?
Gentle hair shampoo
Choose a shampoo with really gentle substances such as washing active amino acids, the mildest and highest quality vegetable surfactants. They are optimally skin-friendly, protect against breakage and split ends, and strengthen the hair structure for more resilience. Avoid excessive rubbing with a towel after shampooing. Instead, gently squeeze your damp hair and then comb very gently – if necessary with an organic conditioner in the hard-to-comb hair lengths and ends.
Emulsifier-free conditioner without questionable ingredients In rebuilding the hair's natural protective layer, a rich conditioner without emulsifiers has been shown to be most effective. Organic hair treatments without drying emulsifiers have a particularly intensive effect as a leave-on – provided they are 100% recommended and contain high-quality ingredients. In general, we recommend checking all your skincare products for questionable ingredients – just to be sure.
Special hair care for deeply moisturizing and natural hair shine
For extra deep care, apply a nourishing hair oil. An anti-static hair oil with herbal repair complex, protects the ends against moisture loss and softens the rough hair shaft for supple and shiny hair. Also note that it has natural UV protection.
Cut the hair regularly
Last but not least, the ends of the hair should be trimmed regularly. Hair that has not been cut for a long time becomes thinner, more porous and prone to split ends with increasing length. Since hair usually grows about an inch per month, you should trim the ends at least every 3 months. It doesn't matter what hair type you have:with these hair care tips against split ends, your hair should quickly become healthier, split-free and noticeably stronger.
